Joe's Photo Blog: March 2015

Tuesday, March 31, 2015

Daily Snap: High 'n tight

Gear: Canon 5D Mark III; Canon 300 f/2.8 IS + Canon 1.4x teleconverter III
Settings: f/5.6, 1/1,000th of a second, ISO 800, 420mm

The story: Seventh inning of a high school softball game (my first of the year), and this pitcher is throwing a no-no. I had already gotten a few in the top of the first, but I figured I'd try for a few more.

I threw on the 1.4x teleconverter to get up to 420mm, and I punched the f-stop to 5.6. Was shooting somewhat backlit/sidelight (sun was at 3 o'clock to me) as the sun was setting, so needed to bump the ISO a bit. Looking back, I probably should have pushed it a little more ... still some motion blur in the arm at 1/1,000th.

But I was pretty pleased. Focus stuck pretty well, and the top photograph offers kind of a cool narrative, seeing how she threw a no-hitter.

And it's different from your typical full-body pitcher shot that gets boring REAL quick. Here's to an eventful softball season.

Another few:

Sunday, March 29, 2015

Daily Snap: Finding the shot

Gear: Canon 5D Mark III; Canon 70-200 2.8L
Settings: f/5.0, 1/400th of a second, ISO 6400, 180mm

Assignment for a volleyball tourney in memory of a former student who died a few years ago. And I had some time to spend there (which is a rarity), so I took advantage.

First things first. Don't even pick up the camera for 10 minutes. Engage with the situation. I hate getting referred to or noticed as "the photographer," I just want to be a person who is also there. So I do that. Talk with organizers, folks I know, etc. Take in the environment.

I soon realized what I wanted. I wanted the "Volley for Jess" T-shirt in there, pretty visibly. I wanted the back of the T-shirt, too (everyone wore No. 9). And I wanted some emotion.

So from my mingling time, I knew this gal was the same year as Jess, the girl who passed away. And I had time, so I was patient. I set up on a bleacher on the same side as her squad and watched for a while. Thankfully with volleyball, you get a sense for when there will be a spurt of emotion. A long point. A big-time spike. A humorous play. And when I saw a spike develop for this girl, I trained my focus on her. Boom. Point won. She turns around, and the girl at right approaches her with a laugh and smile. She returns the emotion, and raises her hands, and shoots "Wooo!"

Perfect.

I got a few more with similar reactions/jubilation, but I kept going back to this one. The "Volley for Jess" was prominent, and so was the No. 9. And I kept thinking that there was just enough space between the two girls for the memory of Jess. There's a place for her, you know? That's what I see.

Anyway. Not an award winner. But it touched me, especially because I really enjoyed and appreciated my time on this assignment. And I think that counts for something.

Wednesday, March 18, 2015

Daily Snap: Hoop Sportrait

Gear: Canon 5D Mark III; Canon 50mm f/1.8 II

Settings: f/5.6, 1/100th of a second, ISO 1000

Lighting: One bare speedlite fired at half power at the white wall behind me. Basically wanted soft, even light on the subjects, and knew it would fall off in the background. Makes the subjects pop. Vignette added in post.

Friday, March 13, 2015

Daily Snap: Hoops

Gear: Canon 5D Mark III; Canon 50mm f/1.8 II
Settings: f/2.8, 1/1,000th of a second, ISO 10,000, 50mm

Thursday, March 5, 2015

Daily Snap: Rehearsal

This one's inspired by all those photographs in the "Photos of the Week" slideshows on CNN or something where costumed students await a show or dress rehearsal.

Gear: Nikon D300S; Nikon 17-35 f/2.8
Settings: f/2.8, 1/40th of a second, ISO (HI 0.7; I think that translates to 4000)
The story: The play is actually called "Dorothy in Wonderland," kind of a Wizard of Oz/Alice in Wonderland mashup. Here, I caught the Tin Man, the Wizard, the Cowardly Lion and the Scarecrow hanging out backstage.