OT: Show off your sports photography...

[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?

[mskwarek]

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?

I can get a picture done in about 30 minutes. Shoot me a PM if you have a photo that you would like to have converted..

Mike

[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.

[Ollie]

Wow! I love seeing these great photos! Here's a couple of photos I took on the annual Yankees road trip with Mom last year. Bought myself a new Canon Powershot Camera that worked out great this/last year. (Have resized them to make them small enough for the forums)

[mskwarek]

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.

I have always found it easier to copy the color subject and paste it on top of the B&W copy. Using the selection tool to highlight and erase is a huge help in getting the edges to be clean. I then blow the picture up to 300% to clean up anything that the selection tool missed.

I just completed a picture for Andrew of Ryan Zimmerman in about 10 minutes this way. The technique is what I'm used to -and- what has worked for me in the past.

Mike