DPC Mentorship - Action - DPChallenge Forums

Canon EF 75-300mm f/4.0-5.6 II/III USM

07/17/2005 09:23:38 PM · #3

OK, I am here! Yeah!

Looking forward to it!

Melissa

07/19/2005 04:16:52 AM · #4

Welcome to the DPC Mentorship - Action Group!

Based on everyone's available time, I am anticipating this to be a 6-10 week adventure. Even though some of you may be able to run ahead of the others, to be fair to everyone, I would like to keep us all progressing at the same rate.

If anyone else would like to join, please pm me, and I'll see what I can do.

Who we are
keegbow - tim
LKMote - lori
dahkota - courtenay
harabanar - helgi
ladyhawk22 - elizabeth
Hkataan - melissa
suemack - sue

From your responses to the intial survey:

Experience: ranges from A LOT to beginner
Expertise: beginner/novice to intermediate
Equipment: all but one of us is shooting a canon dSLR--but that should in no way impact what we do, or what we can learn

Who I Am

*> Even though I have been shooting for over almost 30 years, I only went digital just over a year ago, and I only started shooting full-time just about 4 months ago.
*> I consider myself advanced, but I still have a LOT to learn.
*> I started with a 300D, but just recently acquired a 20D.
*> My 'best' type of photography is capturing activity/life in existing light.
*> I have shot all types of action photography: sports, cars, kids, dogs, events.

What I would like to get out of this:
1) an articulated understanding of shooting action photography
2) some killer stop-motion shots
3) a couple faves ;-)
4) a lotta practice in lowlight situations
5) a lotta practice on composition and story-telling

OK, enough about me.

What I would like for you to get out of this

1) the ability to shoot action with confidence
2) the ability to pre-visualize what you want to shoot, then to shoot it
3) fun

Here's what I would like to cover:

1) Technique (panning, blur, stop-motion)
2) Composition (prespective, lines, colors, lighting)
3) Subjects (people, animals, vehicles)
4) Story-telling

We will touch on post-processing, but not as a topic or assignment. the very nature of this topic, action, is one that is centered around what you do with your camera--not what you do afterwards.

Towards this, I will put out a topic, and each topic will have two assignments. The first assignment will be an elementary one that we will all review and critique. The second assignment will build on the first, applying the feedback you get from the first assignment.

Along the way, there are some co-mentors join the fun, as well!

The very last thing we will do will be to go out and shoot a series that ties together everything we learn during the course. To help get started, here's the first assignment...

Assignment 1: Find one image in either the current sport challenge, or in the action gallery that represents 'the' shot you would like to be able to take by the end of this course. Comment on the image as to what makes that image mean something to you. After you comment, post it to the thread (if it's in the sport challenge, though, you won't be able to post it to the thread until after midnight, tonight.).

Tomorrow night, I will be posting up the first shooting assignment.

Message edited by author 2005-07-20 20:52:09.

Khataan

Canon EF 75-300mm f/4.0-5.6 II/III USM

07/19/2005 09:11:11 AM · #5

Well, I went thru some of the action shots and I chose 2 that I would like to able to set up.

The first is

My comment is at the top.
To me this shot is the epitome of what are art action shot should be, and since it is what I do, it gave me an extra thrill. I would like to be able to make more action shots emphasize movement and color in addition to just stopping motion.

I also really enjoyed

This is also a great shot because it is different, and not just the subject matter. I think this would be interesting with anything, dog person etc. I love the effects and the saturated colors really also make it stand out. I would need some help with PS to get this effect.

There were so many that I liked but these did stand out for me. While I think I sometimes have a good eye, I want to have a great eye.

I have also posted a shot in my porfolio called Floating in Mud that shows the kind of work that I do. There is nothing real special about it, but it was my first time with my new 20D. I want to learn how to make this camera WORK for me!!!

Thanks, amd I am so glad to be here

Melissa

Message edited by author 2005-07-19 22:30:55.

ladyhawk22

Sony DSLR-A700

Sony SAL-50F14 Normal 50mm f/1.4 Autofocus Lens for the Sony

07/19/2005 09:41:16 AM · #6

Equipment: all but one of us is shooting a canon dSLR--but that should in no way impact what we do, or what we can learn

But if you're all willing to send me $20, I can work on changing that ;-)

Ok, now to go look through the action gallery.

ladyhawk22

Sony DSLR-A700

Sony SAL-50F14 Normal 50mm f/1.4 Autofocus Lens for the Sony

07/19/2005 10:18:19 AM · #7

Ok, for this first shot and what I like: I think that the colors are amazing (likely enhanced by the menacing looking weather!). I think the composition is good as well...there's plenty of stuff to look at that makes this shot interesting and lots of different textures, yet your eye is still drawn to the subject. This photo also has a really good feeling of motion IMO.

I've noticed that quite a few action shots in the gallery are B&W...but IMO they don't all seem the B&W type to me. However, THIS one does. I like the fact that it has a lot of people in the shot, rather than just one person skipping or something. The clarity on the shot is really good and you can see the exertion on the face of the man doing the throw. Very expressive.

And also this one. The colors are fantastic and the expressions on the faces of those kids is PRICELESS. It tells EXACTLY what that moment was about, and I really like that aspect of photography.

LKMote

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

07/19/2005 05:25:15 PM · #8

The image of the show jumper is something I've always liked taking pictures of. It is a challenge to get the timing of the horse jumping right to get that great shot. I feel that this image captures the exact momoment you would want to snap the shot.

This next image is also a challenge to me to take. I found that out myself this past spring when trying my new camera out at the NASCAR race at PIR. I'd like to be able to take more of this kind of shot as my photography skills improve.

Message edited by author 2005-07-19 21:32:09.

Stagolee

Kodak Easyshare C180

Canon EF 50mm f1.2L

07/19/2005 08:09:34 PM · #9

Well Skip this was my pick to comment on for the assignment

See comments whilst in the challenge. I think this action shot would be worthy of a magazine cover, it's superb.

07/19/2005 11:15:38 PM · #10

Firstly ...thanks Skip for letting me join the group! Very exciting!!

I would have loved to have taken this shot. Apart from being a great action shot, excellent timing, it also has something extra......it has a wonderful sense of humour.

harabanar

07/20/2005 02:47:42 AM · #11

Ok..

I went thought the action photos and the sports photos, and these are the once that I liked and would realy like to be able to do after the cource. I will show four pictures, the first two are the type I would like to do, and the third is more just to show the idea. And the last one is the one of my fave sports/action photo.

1.

I really like this one. Like the colors, the action, how the photographer knew the setup, and took the shot.

2.

This is one of yours skiprow. The comment I left pritty much says it all. "the idea of beeing a single shot amazes me.."

3.

Like how the photo shows the action in the post. But as well it shows who is playing it.

4.

This photo is from this serie of photos. This serie is the first time I took action photos. I realy liked it and would love to be able to do better.
This photo is from the penalty pick after the game ended with a tie. This penalty let this team win the game. You can see on the kids in the background, how exiting they are.

Hope this is OK, I know the assignments says find ONE but, in my case there is never JUST ONE.

p.s. Thanks skiprow for taking us into your care. This mentorship will be fun.

dahkota

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM

07/20/2005 03:58:57 AM · #12

I would really love to learn how to pan effectively. I find it amazing when someone can lock on a moving subject and move with it so well that the subject is in focus.

d

07/20/2005 05:08:53 PM · #13

Shooting Assignment #1: Stopping Motion

A key components of action photography is to convey the sense of motion, and there are a number of techniques to do this. One of these techniques is 'stop motion'. This is where your image 'freezes' an action in such a way that the viewer can discern that the subject was in motion.

First, review the results of these challenges: Stopped Motion II, Stopped Motion, and Extreme Action.

Do NOT focus on set up shots, but instead focus on the shots where the only thing the shooter had control over was the camera.

Your Shooting Assignment: Take a picture of someone in the middle of a running jump, or someone jumping rope, or someone bouncing a ball.

Please PM me if any of these options are impossible for you. Otherwise, post up a single result to this thread (feel free to upload as many as you like to your portfolio, though.)

LKMote

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

07/21/2005 05:55:04 PM · #14

Here is my picture.

-L

07/22/2005 03:00:29 AM · #15

Club rugby finals today (was so thankful I had the rebel back in time), am working on the editing over the weekend. A few of them in my gallery.......will add more tomorrow night.

Message edited by author 2005-07-23 08:43:05.

Khataan

Canon EF 75-300mm f/4.0-5.6 II/III USM

07/22/2005 07:39:55 PM · #16

Here we go!! It is hot here in Atlanta, I had to bribe one of friends to come outside with me!

I am editing this post because I changed some things in my work flow, (with our instructor's VALUABLE help). Here is an improved picture, but ignore parts of the subject. It really was hot out and I made him jump around for about 10 minutes.

See any differences?

Again sorry about the blurry part, but it was the next best image to work with!
Melissa

Message edited by author 2005-07-29 18:03:47.

07/24/2005 03:04:33 PM · #17

yes, it helps having a ready and directable model. if you're having trouble getting your shot, please pm me.

Message edited by author 2005-08-10 05:50:18.

07/26/2005 05:17:03 AM · #18

Nice shots you guys!! Can't wait to see the rest of them.

dahkota

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM

07/27/2005 10:40:24 AM · #19

Even though my image turned out, well, crappy, I learned a lot just by doing it. Now to get my model to want to do it again! I'm gonna bribe him with a PS2 remote controller. That'll give me another week or two of model time. :)

d

07/27/2005 11:33:04 AM · #20

I had the same problem with mine Courtenay. She jumped off the wall but unless you look closely at the shot you can't really tell she's jumping!

I like the way with your image it looks like the ball is stuck to his hand.

Stagolee

Kodak Easyshare C180

Canon EF 50mm f1.2L

07/27/2005 03:29:57 PM · #21

I went to a rugby game last night so it was the perfect opportunity to get a shot of someone running.

harabanar

07/28/2005 02:21:09 AM · #22

Hi

Sorry I haven't done my homework yet. But the reason is that my camera is in for a repair. (See this thread for info.)

Let me know.

08/02/2005 05:03:40 AM · #23

I know this isn't part of the assignment Skip, but would love your and the group members thoughts on these shots I took on the weekend. Was trying to capture the feeling of the movt, rather than stopping the motion (which is what I normally seem to do), how could I have improved them. (very late here and will put full exif info on images tomorrow night)

Conditions in the bush were dark, so slower shutter speeds than I would have liked, even with ISO 400 shutter speed dropped to 1/50 for one of the shots. The hills were steep and very bush clad so branches in the way and only limited panning space for most of the shots.

ISO400,f3.5,1/50

ISO400,f3.5,1/60

ISO400,f29.0,1/80 (think I'd been playing with the settings here ?f29.0?)

thanks
sue

edited to say ....not sure why the thumbs didn't generate :( used the thumb thingi too.

edited again to say I'm a twat.....LOL put the whole url in not just the number. Tis late here!!!

Message edited by author 2005-08-02 09:06:47.

08/09/2005 04:18:52 AM · #24

Can't pursuade Alesha to jump off the concrete blocks again, but took this during a fun run on the weekend. Crouched down and a series of three shots as he ran toward me. This was the best of them.

edited cos Alesha would kill me for having mis-spelled her name :))

Message edited by author 2005-08-09 08:20:05.