OT: Show off your sports photography...

[Fnazxc0114]

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

that would make a nice 16x20 print kyle

[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:

[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...

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.

[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.

[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!

[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 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]

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

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]

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-

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

[kylehess10]

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

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?

Yep....a lot of stadiums have limits on camera lens sizes. Turner Field says it can't be longer than 4 inches and you can't have a monopod. Unfortunately they do enforce it, but there's a few ushers who I offer free prints to and they let me take pics with it. There have been quite a few though that told me I couldn't use my lens, so I simply walk away and take pictures away from them. I'm not gonna let anyone tell me to put my camera up.

[mskwarek]

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-

[panthrotc]

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

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



He hit this ball for a HR

[frikativ54]

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

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?

[kylehess10]

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

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: