OT: Show off your sports photography...

[kylehess10]

Thanks guys! I was shooting at every Braves series in 2009. Only thing that sucks though was that I was limited to a crappy camera and an even worser lens. I'm since upgraded to a Nikon D90 with a more professional lens (70-200mm f/2.8). I'll be shooting again this upcoming season. There's one usher in the stadium that doesn't care if my lens size exceeds Turner Field's limit (which mine is double the size), and she just so happens to be the dugout usher, so I should get some amazing shots.

Here's a few of my best images from the 2009 season:

[frikativ54]

Thanks guys! I was shooting at every Braves series in 2009. Only thing that sucks though was that I was limited to a crappy camera and an even worser lens. I'm since upgraded to a Nikon D90 with a more professional lens (70-200mm f/2.8). I'll be shooting again this upcoming season. There's one usher in the stadium that doesn't care if my lens size exceeds Turner Field's limit (which mine is double the size), and she just so happens to be the dugout usher, so I should get some amazing shots.

Here's a few of my best images from the 2009 season:

Amazing shots! I like the above two the best. Didn't know that there was a limit on lens size for Turner Field; what's the limit? Is this typical for stadiums? Does anyone enforce it?

[panthrotc]

Ryan Howard May 2007 - Rehabbing at the Lakewood Blueclaws. 12 minutes from my house...



He hit this ball for a HR

[mskwarek]

Here are a couple of photos from a trip to Cincy last year, and a few from Wrigley.









Mike-

[allstarsplus]

Here are a couple of photos from a trip to Cincy last year, and a few from Wrigley.









Mike-

Mike - What editing software does that mono effect to the background to the black and white and sepia tones?

[mskwarek]

Mike - What editing software does that mono effect to the background to the black and white and sepia tones?

I use photoshop elements to create the color separation effects. It is done by:
* creating a copy of the original,
* changing the color of the copy to match your new background color (B&W or cepia)
* from the original full color copy, highlight and copy the part of the image that you want to stand out and paste it on top of the B&W/Cepia. Don't worry about cutting it out perfectly.
* Once you have pasted it, use the eraser tool to work away the color part of image to make it look clean.

There is no doubt that it takes practice, but it does create for some awesome pictures.

Mike

[allstarsplus]

I use photoshop elements to create the color separation effects. It is done by:
* creating a copy of the original,
* changing the color of the copy to match your new background color (B&W or cepia)
* from the original full color copy, highlight and copy the part of the image that you want to stand out and paste it on top of the B&W/Cepia. Don't worry about cutting it out perfectly.
* Once you have pasted it, use the eraser tool to work away the color part of image to make it look clean.

There is no doubt that it takes practice, but it does create for some awesome pictures.

Mike

That is so cool. I saw Steiner do that with Jeter catching the foul ball in the stands and always liked that effect.

How long does it take you to do it?

[CampWest]

I use photoshop elements to create the color separation effects. It is done by:
* creating a copy of the original,
* changing the color of the copy to match your new background color (B&W or cepia)
* from the original full color copy, highlight and copy the part of the image that you want to stand out and paste it on top of the B&W/Cepia. Don't worry about cutting it out perfectly.
* Once you have pasted it, use the eraser tool to work away the color part of image to make it look clean.

There is no doubt that it takes practice, but it does create for some awesome pictures.

Mike

Not to question your expertise, You are clearly better in Photoshop than I... But just for my education, is it easier to copy and paste with precise alignment than it would be to create a monochrome background layer and overlay it with a full color layer, doing the same eraser tool of the background in the full-color layer. Then one would be working with the same image size and it eliminates the need to copy and paste that cutout?

Have you had any luck using a wand or lasso to try to let PS identify the subject? or is it easier to free hand the eraser at say 200%? What size do you go to for the edge work on the subject, my attempts have always failed because of bad edges on the subject and a lack of time to really hone the skills.

Thanks for your time.

[CampWest]

Here are a couple of photos from a trip to Cincy last year, and a few from Wrigley.
Mike-

Great work Mike... I need to take some Photoshop lessons... I have a couple great shots, that just don't work for me because of cost constraints I cannot afford a 400/2.8 to get the DOF and bokeh needed to offset the hitter from the spectators when shooting a subject at 100 feet with the background at 120 feet. Going monochrome behind color really helps offset that equipment limitation. I tried some gausian blur effects but just struggle to get good subject isolation in the tool.

Anyhow, rambling now... Back on topic. Great work, I enjoyed that, thanks for sharing.

[joelsabi]

Here are a couple of photos from a trip to Cincy last year, and a few from Wrigley.







Mike-

I like this technique or effect. Is there a formal name for it?