rthompson10

First time poster in critique section so please be gentle :). OUtdoor basketball game under cloudy skies.
Canon 70D with canon 17-55 2.8 lens
ISO 200 shutter speed 1600 aperture 3.5
I'm not sure how to shoot and keep the sky from being blown out- exposure was set on evaluative metering

Update- I think I fixed attachment

(Download)

twowindsbear

The first thing that comes to my mind is to shoot on a less cloudy day, when the sky is a darker blue, rather than so white like this. . . and keep the sun to your back, to the players are well lit.

Someone with more skills than I have should be able to work a bit of magic on this image and darken the sky for you. You'll need to post the image again & check the STORE ORIGINAL box to provide a better file.

I really think this is a really good shot! even with the 'bright' sky.

dirtpusher Loc: tulsa oklahoma

Read up on using. Exposure compensation.

JD750 Loc: SoCal

You said "first time poster in Critique Section" but the post is in Photo Gallery. ?? Wrong address? This is not the critique section.

BUT to answer your post,

(1) about the blown sky, welcome to the challenge of photography. Look up Camera Dynamic range using Google.

(2) As far as critique.. I think that is a f__ ing great action shot. It's an exciting shot, captured the action, the struggle for the shot, subjects sharp, in focus and exposed well. Good job!! You have real potential as a sports photographer. The sky is not the subject, so don't fret about it. The only thing is its a little bright, which tends to draw the viewers eye away from your subjects, but it is easy to darken it a tad in post. Now my critique, just saying... If it was me, I might just crop away some of the lower part, so that the shooters head was about half way in the middle of the frame. Try that and see if you like it better. You might not. No prob. Remember, you are the artist, it's your art. Do what you like best.

Oh, And... you could remove that wire in the background too.

But those are minor things, that is a really good shot.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Exposure is perfect on the basketball players; therefore exposure compensation doesn't apply. Exposure compensation is for when you're trying to "fool" the camera's metering into doing something different, so that your subject is exposed the way you want: such as making sure you get the detail on a white bird against dark background.

Robert: yes, there are details in the sky that could be coaxed out with pp. But for me, the light sky is not a deal breaker. If more cloud detail is brought out it might compete for attention against the players.

You seem to have nailed the focus and timing, but just missed with the framing IMO. The ball is uncomfortably tight against top of frame. I can imagine how hard it is to capture these kinds of shots, and I think you're well on your way to success!

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Here are all the forums. Note you can receive critique in any forum, when you ask for it - lol. There's also a sports forum:

http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/all-section-list

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Mary Kate Loc: NYC

Check Highlight slider in Lightroom. That will help.

rmm0605 Loc: Atlanta GA

Check your histogram, but the sky does not look blown-out. Light it is, but you should be able to darken it in PP. Otherwise, the shot is fine!

boberic Loc: Quiet Corner, Connecticut. Ex long Islander

You might try a polarizer. But as has been said-- the main reason for the shot was to capture the action, which you did very well. The "blown out" background is a minor issue.

wingclui44 Loc: CT USA

Use high speed sync. flash like fill flash on out door portrait shot. This way you can get a normal exposure on the sky plus the players.

sailorsmom Loc: Souderton, PA

Good action shot, Robert! I'd like to see more of the basket.

rthompson10

Thanks all!