OT: Show off your sports photography...

[mskwarek]

Re: OT: Show off your sports photography...

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

[allstarsplus]

Re: OT: Show off your sports photography...

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

Very kind of you! Thanks!

[buckeyegamers]

Re: OT: Show off your sports photography...

Thought I'd add a few football shots to the thread. Some photos I took of one of my favorite subjects, my son in college and then back to high school.

[CampWest]

Re: OT: Show off your sports photography...

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.

[CampWest]

Re: OT: Show off your sports photography...

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]

Re: OT: Show off your sports photography...

Nice as always Kyle... Is this stadium shot a single image or a stitch? What focal length was that at? I'm planning to try a few of those on a 17-40 on a full frame - Maybe during friday night fireworks, if I can get a tripod in somehow. Hopefully wide enough. Also, I use a 70-200/4 I keep debating on upgrading to a 2.8, but its a big price difference for that extra stop.

Royals don't mind much once you are in the stadium as long as you dont get any complaints for blocking the view of others, luckily the Royals stink so usually there is plenty of space to spread out and not get in anyone's way . The entrance ushers do check equipment, but they've historically enforced inconsistently. If one turns me away I go in another entrance. I think the Royals just try to limit "unlicensed professionals", but dont enforce the size restrictions too strictly. My 70-200/4 is the white Canon L series, and even though there are similar price and length black "consumer" lenses a few accuse me of being a professional, just because the lens is white. I try to keep it in its pouch in my bag and put on my black wide angle lens when entering the stadium to avoid hassles. And luckily they've allowed monopods too!

Security policy limits "Cameras with 12" or more lenses" -thats plenty big for me... Royals FAQ... "Although still and video cameras are welcome in the stadium, please do not set up tripods or block the view of other guests. Flash photography of the game and videotaping of the game action, however, is strictly prohibited."

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:

[Fnazxc0114]

Re: OT: Show off your sports photography...

that would make a nice 16x20 print kyle

[Ollie]

Re: OT: Show off your sports photography...

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)

[Ollie]

Re: OT: Show off your sports photography...

Cont...

[joelsabi]

Re: OT: Show off your sports photography...

Thought I'd add a few football shots to the thread. Some photos I took of one of my favorite subjects, my son in college and then back to high school.

[/IMG]

Great shots. I bet your son appreciates them a lot.

[sylbry]

Re: OT: Show off your sports photography...

It isn't a good photo but I was drunk out of my mind when I took it. So I get a kick out of it. Shows Mauer, Morneau, Damon, and whoever is on first.

[kylehess10]

Re: OT: Show off your sports photography...

Nice as always Kyle... Is this stadium shot a single image or a stitch? What focal length was that at? I'm planning to try a few of those on a 17-40 on a full frame - Maybe during friday night fireworks, if I can get a tripod in somehow. Hopefully wide enough. Also, I use a 70-200/4 I keep debating on upgrading to a 2.8, but its a big price difference for that extra stop.

Royals don't mind much once you are in the stadium as long as you dont get any complaints for blocking the view of others, luckily the Royals stink so usually there is plenty of space to spread out and not get in anyone's way . The entrance ushers do check equipment, but they've historically enforced inconsistently. If one turns me away I go in another entrance. I think the Royals just try to limit "unlicensed professionals", but dont enforce the size restrictions too strictly. My 70-200/4 is the white Canon L series, and even though there are similar price and length black "consumer" lenses a few accuse me of being a professional, just because the lens is white. I try to keep it in its pouch in my bag and put on my black wide angle lens when entering the stadium to avoid hassles. And luckily they've allowed monopods too!

Security policy limits "Cameras with 12" or more lenses" -thats plenty big for me... Royals FAQ... "Although still and video cameras are welcome in the stadium, please do not set up tripods or block the view of other guests. Flash photography of the game and videotaping of the game action, however, is strictly prohibited."

I can't remember the exact focal length, but I believe it was around 28mm. It's 3 pictures stitched together using Panorama Maker.

I also used a 70-200mm f/4 lens and it has nice results but having the aperture at 5.6 at 200mm just was killing the quality of the image. That's why I upgraded to a 2.8. Best part is whether you're zoomed in at 70mm or 200mm it's at 2.8 all the way through. I got a Sigma brand to save a thousand dollars. The Nikon version will run you $1500+. Sigma costs $800 new but I got mine in like new condition for $460. Quality looks the same. I highly recommend it if you want professional quality images.

[CampWest]

Re: OT: Show off your sports photography...

I can't remember the exact focal length, but I believe it was around 28mm. It's 3 pictures stitched together using Panorama Maker.

I also used a 70-200mm f/4 lens and it has nice results but having the aperture at 5.6 at 200mm just was killing the quality of the image. That's why I upgraded to a 2.8. Best part is whether you're zoomed in at 70mm or 200mm it's at 2.8 all the way through. I got a Sigma brand to save a thousand dollars. The Nikon version will run you $1500+. Sigma costs $800 new but I got mine in like new condition for $460. Quality looks the same. I highly recommend it if you want professional quality images.

Yeah my Canon luckily has a fixed f/4 at all focal lengths. I hate variable aperatures, I pretty much don't even consider those at all. My Canon 70-200/4L was about $550, the Sigma 70-200/2.8 runs about the same $800, while the Canon 70-200/2.8L runs about 1250. If I get the 2.8, I'll probably get the Sigma, it really is a great lens... But the 70-200/4 is easily one of the best values in camera lenses.

Well, I'll try to remember to follow up once I try my stadium panorama, I'm thinking I'll probably stitch 5 shots at 24mm.

[allstarsplus]

Re: OT: Show off your sports photography...

Since I got my Sony w/ 10 shots per second, I have been going crazy with the pictures.

Great to photomatch with your own photos!!!!!!!

[CampWest]

Re: OT: Show off your sports photography...

Since I got my Sony w/ 10 shots per second, I have been going crazy with the pictures.

Great to photomatch with your own photos!!!!!!!

Thats not a still camera, thats a slow rate video camera.. My first Canon DSLR shot 6 fps and that was nuts... 10 is just ridiculous.