School Sports Day

[polester]

Hello everyone

I work as a teacher and so one of the best days of the year is during the annual Sports Day when I can get to capture some shots of my students competing sporting glory. Here are three that I like.

Again, any comments and helpful criticisms are appreciated.

Perry

[blackcloudbrew]

I have to say, these are really good. The DOF effects in the first two are outstanding IMHO. I love the angle and flare effects of the third one too and feel that it's the best of the series.

The first image as bit of a grainy look. That may have been intentional don't know. I like it. OTOH there appear to be two dust spots in the lower right hand side of the image. You might want to remove those with post processing as they are distracting. I'd ask the question on the first two, what lens and camera settings were used and what post processing?

Tim

[Mike Pearson]

Perry,

Great shots that bring back many beautiful memories 

Mike

[polester]

Thanks for your comments Tim.

As requested, here's the information:

Pic 1
K10D, ISO100,135mm @ f/2.8, 1/4000s.

As for post-processing: Contrast, a bit of dodging and burning, and bw conversion, added grain, sharpening.


Pic 2
K10D, ISO100, 50mm @ f/8, 1/4000s.

Post processing: Much of the same as above minus the grain.


Thanks for the comment too Mike.

[blackcloudbrew]

Thanks and very interesting. I really like the look of the first two and the almost landed feet is an excellent example of a picture telling 1000 words. Also the texture of the more distant runners arms is a really cool look and a different feel to bokeh, I may have to give it a try. Well done.

Tim

[polester]

Hi Tim

Thanks. It's interesting that you should mention the bokeh of the first photo. I've posted this photo elsewhere and a few picked on it saying it was either 'weird' or 'unnatural' (due they assume to software manipulation) because of the 'halo' around the arms of the OOF runners' arms.

I used a non-pentax lens for that shot btw. An old Tokina 135mm prime.

[blackcloudbrew]

Well, ya never know. I think your post processing it makes the picture more interesting and powerful. If you didn't to the PP work on it, it would have been a nice shot but your artistic sense has made it more than just a snapshot.

FWIW, I have a old Takumar Bayonet f2.5 135 (it's not multi coated). It's an interesting length on a cropped digital sensor. I don't use it enough, but I like it.

Thanks for the added insight.

Tim

[Craig]

Really nice shots, Polester.  This set takes me back to my track & field days.  I particularly like the high jump shot for the composition. 


Craig

[polester]

Hi everyone

Here are another two photos I took of my students recently. There were a lot more but I suppose these two stood out from the rest of the bunch. I thought I'd just post these in the same thread since it is still about Sports Day. Tell me what you think.

Thanks.

Perry

[blackcloudbrew]

I'm not as wild about these two new ones. On the positive side, I think the b&w and use of lighting makes the very interesting shots and the composition of both are really interesting. The lighting on the feet of the high jumper is a neat effect for sure. On the negative side, both images are too dark in a lot of places and too bright in others. The landing pad for the high jumper is blown out and could use some PP work to reduce it, while the background onlookers are just lost in the image. Again it's the light/dark contrast that's not right to my eye. The broad jumper doesn't stand out although he is clearly the focus of the second image and the pit is blown out too. I'd play with the dodge and burn tools in post processing to selectively bring out hidden (dark) detail or reduce blown out areas.

Hope that helps.

Tim

[polester]

Thanks for the comments Tim. Looking at the pics again, I agree with you on the extreme contrast in some areas of both. I'll probably have another go at the processing and see what I can come up with.

Thanks again.

[Jocoan]

very nice shooting polester