Senior Snow Ski Competition
Apr 7, 2019 20:17:59 #
Back at the end of March I ran this series in the General category. Got some comments; but, only one idea. I am hoping that perhaps by running it here in Sports there will be more orientation toward action photography.
In my quest of clear, sharp focus in my photos I seem to constantly put myself at disadvantage; these photos and the conditions under which I shot them being a case in point.
Each winter we have the 50+ Senior Games in Summit County Colorado (Breckenridge, Keystone, ABasin, etc.), it has become a serious fund raiser for the Senior Center and its associated programs. All of the participants are obviously over 50, with most being in there 60's and 70's with a few in their 80's. Two of my friends and I do volunteer photography of the Games, my major contribution being to photograph the Giant Slalom competition. This entails my skiing part way down the course, then standing on the tilt of the slope (in whatever conditions) in my ski boots for approximately 2 to 3 hours (no small accomplishment at 74 yo). For the 2019 Games we had temps in the teens, moderate wind, frequent snow showers ranging from light to heavy, and sunlight varying from non-existent to occasional bright. Under these condition I felt certain to achieve my desired tack sharpness (definite sarcasm).
I have selected 9 out of hundreds of photos to share below.
These were shot with my Nikon D610, with a 28-300, on S priority at 1/1000, ISO 100, Aperture and lens were variable. Images were edited in PSE 15. All comments and suggestions for improvement are appreciated.
In my quest of clear, sharp focus in my photos I seem to constantly put myself at disadvantage; these photos and the conditions under which I shot them being a case in point.
Each winter we have the 50+ Senior Games in Summit County Colorado (Breckenridge, Keystone, ABasin, etc.), it has become a serious fund raiser for the Senior Center and its associated programs. All of the participants are obviously over 50, with most being in there 60's and 70's with a few in their 80's. Two of my friends and I do volunteer photography of the Games, my major contribution being to photograph the Giant Slalom competition. This entails my skiing part way down the course, then standing on the tilt of the slope (in whatever conditions) in my ski boots for approximately 2 to 3 hours (no small accomplishment at 74 yo). For the 2019 Games we had temps in the teens, moderate wind, frequent snow showers ranging from light to heavy, and sunlight varying from non-existent to occasional bright. Under these condition I felt certain to achieve my desired tack sharpness (definite sarcasm).
I have selected 9 out of hundreds of photos to share below.
These were shot with my Nikon D610, with a 28-300, on S priority at 1/1000, ISO 100, Aperture and lens were variable. Images were edited in PSE 15. All comments and suggestions for improvement are appreciated.
Apr 8, 2019 11:31:12 #
[quote=JohnD3]Back at the end of March I ran this series in the General category. Got some comments; but, only one idea. I am hoping that perhaps by running it here in Sports there will be more orientation toward action photography.
In my quest of clear, sharp focus in my photos I seem to constantly put myself at disadvantage; these photos and the conditions under which I shot them being a case in point.
Each winter we have the 50+ Senior Games in Summit County Colorado (Breckenridge, Keystone, ABasin, etc.), it has become a serious fund raiser for the Senior Center and its associated programs. All of the participants are obviously over 50, with most being in there 60's and 70's with a few in their 80's. Two of my friends and I do volunteer photography of the Games, my major contribution being to photograph the Giant Slalom competition. This entails my skiing part way down the course, then standing on the tilt of the slope (in whatever conditions) in my ski boots for approximately 2 to 3 hours (no small accomplishment at 74 yo). For the 2019 Games we had temps in the teens, moderate wind, frequent snow showers ranging from light to heavy, and sunlight varying from non-existent to occasional bright. Under these condition I felt certain to achieve my desired tack sharpness (definite sarcasm).
I have selected 9 out of hundreds of photos to share below.
These were shot with my Nikon D610, with a 28-300, on S priority at 1/1000, ISO 100, Aperture and lens were variable. Images were edited in PSE 15. All comments and suggestions for improvement are appreciated.[/quote
In my quest of clear, sharp focus in my photos I seem to constantly put myself at disadvantage; these photos and the conditions under which I shot them being a case in point.
Each winter we have the 50+ Senior Games in Summit County Colorado (Breckenridge, Keystone, ABasin, etc.), it has become a serious fund raiser for the Senior Center and its associated programs. All of the participants are obviously over 50, with most being in there 60's and 70's with a few in their 80's. Two of my friends and I do volunteer photography of the Games, my major contribution being to photograph the Giant Slalom competition. This entails my skiing part way down the course, then standing on the tilt of the slope (in whatever conditions) in my ski boots for approximately 2 to 3 hours (no small accomplishment at 74 yo). For the 2019 Games we had temps in the teens, moderate wind, frequent snow showers ranging from light to heavy, and sunlight varying from non-existent to occasional bright. Under these condition I felt certain to achieve my desired tack sharpness (definite sarcasm).
I have selected 9 out of hundreds of photos to share below.
These were shot with my Nikon D610, with a 28-300, on S priority at 1/1000, ISO 100, Aperture and lens were variable. Images were edited in PSE 15. All comments and suggestions for improvement are appreciated.[/quote
Apr 8, 2019 15:17:02 #
These are not horrible. How much did you crop in photoshop? Suggestions first I would look at your shots in the camera to see how.......
Good thoughts Jules, most appreciated. I am attaching two of the original shots prior to editing so you can see the degree to which I impacted them.
My major problem this year was that it was snowing basically all the time, sometimes heavier than others; this shows up in the cropping and especially in the midtone adjustment necessitated to bring out the detail of the participants (you are correct that shooting against such a bright background, especially with what light there was being from slightly left and behind) as being able to identify the participant and catching them in action were my primary goals. I considered upping to 1/2000 and well may next year, though I did not feel there was any blurring due to motion (note that in many cases you can literally see the snow curling off the bottoms of the skis), also these are older individuals moving at a fast pace but not what a competitive skier would be moving at, plus I am at a slightly oblique angle so it is not as if I were shooting a racer from a full on side angle. As you suggest, I definitely intend to take my ISO up a notch or two so as to gain a bit more latitude on my fstop thereby gaining a bit more DOF. As to practice I attempt to do a bit of photography in the area all along; however, this is about my sixth year doing this event and each year has presented its own unique challenges.
I will say that one of the other photographers that day (at a different event at the base of the mountain) was amazed at the clarity I was able to achieve given the conditions on the mountain that day.
Thank you so much for you thoughts, I can assure you that I will use them in my future planning for this event.
Good thoughts Jules, most appreciated. I am attaching two of the original shots prior to editing so you can see the degree to which I impacted them.
My major problem this year was that it was snowing basically all the time, sometimes heavier than others; this shows up in the cropping and especially in the midtone adjustment necessitated to bring out the detail of the participants (you are correct that shooting against such a bright background, especially with what light there was being from slightly left and behind) as being able to identify the participant and catching them in action were my primary goals. I considered upping to 1/2000 and well may next year, though I did not feel there was any blurring due to motion (note that in many cases you can literally see the snow curling off the bottoms of the skis), also these are older individuals moving at a fast pace but not what a competitive skier would be moving at, plus I am at a slightly oblique angle so it is not as if I were shooting a racer from a full on side angle. As you suggest, I definitely intend to take my ISO up a notch or two so as to gain a bit more latitude on my fstop thereby gaining a bit more DOF. As to practice I attempt to do a bit of photography in the area all along; however, this is about my sixth year doing this event and each year has presented its own unique challenges.
I will say that one of the other photographers that day (at a different event at the base of the mountain) was amazed at the clarity I was able to achieve given the conditions on the mountain that day.
Thank you so much for you thoughts, I can assure you that I will use them in my future planning for this event.
Apr 8, 2019 16:05:32 #
JohnD3 wrote:
These are not horrible. How much did you crop in p... (show quote)
What I would do is google "How to shoot in the snow?) There are a lot of articles on the subject that will be very helpful.
Apr 8, 2019 16:17:37 #
Jules Karney wrote:
What I would do is google "How to shoot in the snow?) There are a lot of articles on the subject that will be very helpful.
Thanks Jules, good thought.
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