Photos from this weekend's swim meet

[ThurlFan]

Had a great time at the swim meet over the weekend, and got some fun shots. Thanks to all who contributed to my thread about which lens to rent. In the end, only the 200mm f/2.8 was available. I'd have probably preferred either the 70-200 f/2.8 or the 135 f/2.0 because I was actually too close on a lot of shots. Regardless, I was way better off compared to just using my entry level glass (though I did put some of that to good use also). I was able to secure permission to shoot from the pool deck, so I had plenty of flexibility on where to stand - as long as I could squeeze in amongst the coaches and officials (I tried to shoot from one knee as much as possible to be as unobtrusive as possible). Herewith are some early returns. Very little cropping or other PP work on these, to focus (pun intended) on what the lenses can do, rather than the computer geek behind the camera ;)

Shots from the Canon EF 200mm f/2.8L II USM:

Competitor in the backstroke:
http://i883.photobucket.com/albums/ac34/thurlfan/IMG_5043.jpg

Scoreboard reflected in swimmer's goggles:
http://i883.photobucket.com/albums/ac34/thurlfan/IMG_4468.jpg

I think the butterfly offers the most dramatic possibilities, which I was able to take advantage of. This one I cropped slightly, straightened and ran though noiseware.
http://i883.photobucket.com/albums/ac34/thurlfan/IMG_4280-2_filtered-1.jpg

Shots using the Canon f/1.8 50mm prime:

Starting blocks:
http://i883.photobucket.com/albums/ac34/thurlfan/IMG_4874.jpg

You can capture a whole lot more of the pool with a 50mm lens...
http://i883.photobucket.com/albums/ac34/thurlfan/IMG_5006.jpg


Using the 18-55mm kit lens
I got a bit creative here and slowed the shutter to 1/13 sec. to show the action in the start but keep everything else sharp. I had the camera on a monopod, braced against a railing in the stands. I had my remote shutter release with me but forgot to use it :headache:
http://i883.photobucket.com/albums/ac34/thurlfan/IMG_5160.jpg

Comments and suggestions welcome as always!

[ChiSoxKeith]

Sweet! Great pictures and glad you had a good time with it!

Love the shot of the scoreboard reflected in the goggles and the butterfly shot.

[ThurlFan]

Love the shot of the scoreboard reflected in the goggles

Pure luck, didn't even notice it until reviewing on the computer at home...I also got a couple shots where you can clearly see the swimmers' eyes through the goggles, just as if they were looking right at me.

Speaking of which, I told my SIL to have a word with the coach and make sure the kids need to understand which side of the pool the camera is on when they come up for air. Had a LOT of pictures of the backs of heads during the freestyle events. :lmao:

[Marlton Mom]

AWESOME pix!!! Once you get the reputation as a photographer who shares your (Terrific) shots with the team - poolside access should be easy. Just be sure to give team officials enough time to get permissions, if needed, for away meets.

This swim meet gig is really an exciting way to flex your creative photography muscles. Even with all the limitations you faced you got really great shots. Good job!!!

Marlton Mom

[mom2rtk]

Awesome shots! Thanks for posting them to share with us.

I know what you mean about wanting those dang swimmers to look the right direction! My son runs track and cross country. Most of the time I just want those other pesky runners to stay back until I get my shot!

We just finished up my daughter's 4th grade basketball season. My husband is the coach and I MIGHT have asked if he'd play her on the side of the court closer to me......... :rolleyes1

And when the boys were in flag football with my husband as coach......... I MIGHT have asked him to put both boys on the field at the same time........ :rolleyes1 you know......... and to get the ball into their hands........... :rolleyes1

Somehow I'm thinking my son's high school coach wouldn't be as cooperative.......

[ChiSoxKeith]

Too bad these were from the state finals. You have to wait months and months before you can go out and try your hand at these again.

I guess that's time to build up the funds to get the 70-200 or the 135.

[ThurlFan]

I was shooting two teams, my nephew's and the other school from their town. Since there's just the one indoor pool between the two schools the teams train together and even share a coach so they're all pretty close. My SIL said maybe next year they'll put out a tip jar for me :rotfl:

Overall, I did like the challenge of the fixed 200mm lens, but I missed a lot of opportunities. I'd have probably done better with the f/2.0 135, or enjoyed the flexibility of the zoom on the 70-200 (shooting the start at the wide end, and closeups of the strokes nearer the telephoto end). That humid natatorium is not high on my list of favorite places to have to change lenses with any frequency.

Other technical details, which I forgot to mention earlier:
I did have some depth of field difficulties with the kids that were in the lane or two closest to the side I was shooting from, but as I was able to capture at exposures of 1/400 to 1/800 second I can certainly live with it. Shot at the max ISO for my XSi, 1600. Really not all that noisy, wondering how much of that was not having to crop and zoom on the photos in post and how much of that was the L glass. Also, on the first day it was very sunny, which provided some much appreciated light early in the meet (which started at 4:30). The sunlight even created a spotlight effect on certain parts of the pool, and I got some interesting exposures as individuals swam through that brightly lit water.

[ThurlFan]

Too bad these were from the state finals. You have to wait months and months before you can go out and try your hand at these again.

Actually, club season starts this weekend :thumbsup2

I might get to try my hand again if there's a meet close by in the next few months :rolleyes1

[budmonster]

Great Pictures...thanks for sharing.

[spinetnglr]

Awesome shots. I was very interested in seeing what you got and what lenses you ended up with when you had the thread going about what lenses would be best to use. I am considering a trip to Florida in June to photograph a friends daughter who is an awesome swimmer and has been setting records.

[Suburbanmom]

These are great! I have shot only one swim team and it was for their promo poster, so I had the luxury of them all standing still in the pool. :) You did a fantastic job!