People Dance Competition Season Starts

Dance Competition Season Starts · 10:42 AM

First competition of our season and it looks like the dancers are well prepared.
Critiques and advice for photo and PP improvement always welcome.

lesmore49 · 12-09-2013, 11:26 AM

Lighting is not going to be good in a gym and dancers are always on the move. I would suggest you experiment with high ISO....400-800....maybe higher and hopefully you have a fast lens...like a 70-200 F 2.8.

Looks like you already have a fast Sigma...and a K-5 so the lens should work. Those pics so far are very good at 3200 ISO.

**Miguel** · 12-09-2013, 11:36 AM

That looks like an energetic and fun shooting environment. As stated above f2.8 may help better freeze the action, 1/750 may make a noticeable difference; I'm not familiar with ISO 6400 on your camera, but it's worth a try.

Compositionally, for most of them it appears you are positioned too further off to the side to fully engage with their emotive faces and key body language. The last shot is more of what I would prefer. All the shots seem slightly too blue but I don't trust the monitor I've viewing things on at the moment.

If this is a regular shooting gig, the increased opportunities will be excellent and I'm sure your shots will show it.

M

**crewl1** · 12-09-2013, 01:12 PM

Originally posted by lesmore49

Lighting is not going to be good in a gym and dancers are always on the move. I would suggest you experiment with high ISO....400-800....maybe higher and hopefully you have a fast lens...like a 70-200 F 2.8.

Looks like you already have a fast Sigma...and a K-5 so the lens should work. Those pics so far are very good at 3200 ISO.

Thanks for the tips lesmore. Yes the lighting is definitely bad.
I am using TAv with ISO range up to 3200 and it is pegged there.
The thin DOF at F2.8 is kinda scary but will test it again.

**Kerrowdown** · 12-09-2013, 01:20 PM

Originally posted by First Poster

Dance Competition Season Starts

Lots of great shots here, looks like I need to take up dance photography if all the ladies are as good looking as these.

**crewl1** · 12-09-2013, 01:23 PM

Originally posted by Miguel

That looks like an energetic and fun shooting environment. As stated above f2.8 may help better freeze the action, 1/750 may make a noticeable difference; I'm not familiar with ISO 6400 on your camera, but it's worth a try.

Compositionally, for most of them it appears you are positioned too further off to the side to fully engage with their emotive faces and key body language. The last shot is more of what I would prefer. All the shots seem slightly too blue but I don't trust the monitor I've viewing things on at the moment.

If this is a regular shooting gig, the increased opportunities will be excellent and I'm sure your shots will show it.

M

Thanks for the advice Miguel.
I provide the sound at some of the events so my vantage is from the side most of the time.
I will make more of an effort to shoot from nearer the judges as the dancers are performing to them.
I'll try ISO 6400 on the next event too.

**eaglem** · 12-09-2013, 03:27 PM

You've captured the image of movement beautifully in every shot.

**crewl1** · 12-09-2013, 04:24 PM

Originally posted by kerrowdown

Lots of great shots here, looks like I need to take up dance photography if all the ladies are as good looking as these.

They are easy on the eyes so could be a pleasant gig. Unless this is all you can get up in your area

**crewl1** · 12-09-2013, 04:25 PM

Originally posted by eaglem

You've captured the image of movement beautifully in every shot.

Thanks eaglem!

**Kerrowdown** · 12-09-2013, 04:28 PM

Originally posted by crewl1

Unless this is all you can get up in your area

Aye it's more like that, than what you seem to get.

mamba909 · 12-09-2013, 09:16 PM

Hey Larry, you managed to get some nice captures! The colors look great to me, considering the fact that gyms usually don't have the best lighting conditions. Also, speaking from my own experience with shooting action shots with the K-5, you caught some nice moments.

As for camera settings and such, I would recommend against shooting at F2.8. I've missed quite a few shots due to the shallower DOF. I think you chose wisely to shoot at F4. Also, you should try shooting at ISO 6400. The results shouldn't be too bad. I shot this event at ISO 6400 with my K-5/Sigma 70-200mm APO EX DG OS combo. The setting was a Buddhist church with some overhead lighting and some sunlight that was able to reach inside the sanctuary(?). I did do some PP in Lightroom, though.

Also, for reference, I shot this event with the K-5/Sigma combo at ISO 3200. I found that I got more keepers by using aperture values greater than 2.8.

**crewl1** · 12-09-2013, 09:26 PM

Mamba those sets look really good.
I will have to try 6400, looks like it cleans up real nice.

mamba909 · 12-09-2013, 09:35 PM

Hmm, I don't recall using any noise reduction on those photos, unless there's some by default in Lightroom.

**crewl1** · 12-09-2013, 10:12 PM

Originally posted by mamba909

Hmm, I don't recall using any noise reduction on those photos, unless there's some by default in Lightroom.

Oh wow ok. Even better.

**Bob Harris** · 12-09-2013, 11:29 PM

I bet you enjoyed your time there photographing Larry, I think you did a great job, I would open it up a bit to ISO 6400 and f/4 or so. The main thing is your having fun I would think.

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12-09-2013, 04:28 PM	#10
Kerrowdown PEG Moderator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highlands of Scotland... "Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand" - William Blake Photos: Gallery Posts: 57,804	Originally posted by crewl1 Unless this is all you can get up in your area Aye it's more like that, than what you seem to get. Last edited by Kerrowdown; 12-10-2013 at 03:22 PM.

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12-09-2013, 11:26 AM	#2
lesmore49 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Western Canada Posts: 12,325	Lighting is not going to be good in a gym and dancers are always on the move. I would suggest you experiment with high ISO....400-800....maybe higher and hopefully you have a fast lens...like a 70-200 F 2.8. Looks like you already have a fast Sigma...and a K-5 so the lens should work. Those pics so far are very good at 3200 ISO.

12-09-2013, 11:36 AM	#3
Miguel Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Near Seattle Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,743	That looks like an energetic and fun shooting environment. As stated above f2.8 may help better freeze the action, 1/750 may make a noticeable difference; I'm not familiar with ISO 6400 on your camera, but it's worth a try. Compositionally, for most of them it appears you are positioned too further off to the side to fully engage with their emotive faces and key body language. The last shot is more of what I would prefer. All the shots seem slightly too blue but I don't trust the monitor I've viewing things on at the moment. If this is a regular shooting gig, the increased opportunities will be excellent and I'm sure your shots will show it. M

12-09-2013, 01:12 PM	#4
crewl1 Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Los Angeles, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,807 Original Poster	Originally posted by lesmore49 Lighting is not going to be good in a gym and dancers are always on the move. I would suggest you experiment with high ISO....400-800....maybe higher and hopefully you have a fast lens...like a 70-200 F 2.8. Looks like you already have a fast Sigma...and a K-5 so the lens should work. Those pics so far are very good at 3200 ISO. Thanks for the tips lesmore. Yes the lighting is definitely bad. I am using TAv with ISO range up to 3200 and it is pegged there. The thin DOF at F2.8 is kinda scary but will test it again.

12-09-2013, 01:20 PM	#5
Kerrowdown PEG Moderator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highlands of Scotland... "Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand" - William Blake Photos: Gallery Posts: 57,804	Originally posted by First Poster Dance Competition Season Starts Lots of great shots here, looks like I need to take up dance photography if all the ladies are as good looking as these.

12-09-2013, 01:23 PM	#6
crewl1 Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Los Angeles, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,807 Original Poster	Originally posted by Miguel That looks like an energetic and fun shooting environment. As stated above f2.8 may help better freeze the action, 1/750 may make a noticeable difference; I'm not familiar with ISO 6400 on your camera, but it's worth a try. Compositionally, for most of them it appears you are positioned too further off to the side to fully engage with their emotive faces and key body language. The last shot is more of what I would prefer. All the shots seem slightly too blue but I don't trust the monitor I've viewing things on at the moment. If this is a regular shooting gig, the increased opportunities will be excellent and I'm sure your shots will show it. M Thanks for the advice Miguel. I provide the sound at some of the events so my vantage is from the side most of the time. I will make more of an effort to shoot from nearer the judges as the dancers are performing to them. I'll try ISO 6400 on the next event too.

12-09-2013, 03:27 PM	#7
eaglem Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Perth Western Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 43,131	You've captured the image of movement beautifully in every shot.

12-09-2013, 04:24 PM	#8
crewl1 Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Los Angeles, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,807 Original Poster	Originally posted by kerrowdown Lots of great shots here, looks like I need to take up dance photography if all the ladies are as good looking as these. They are easy on the eyes so could be a pleasant gig. Unless this is all you can get up in your area

12-09-2013, 04:25 PM	#9
crewl1 Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Los Angeles, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,807 Original Poster	Originally posted by eaglem You've captured the image of movement beautifully in every shot. Thanks eaglem!

12-09-2013, 09:16 PM	#11
mamba909 Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: L.A. County, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 405	Hey Larry, you managed to get some nice captures! The colors look great to me, considering the fact that gyms usually don't have the best lighting conditions. Also, speaking from my own experience with shooting action shots with the K-5, you caught some nice moments. As for camera settings and such, I would recommend against shooting at F2.8. I've missed quite a few shots due to the shallower DOF. I think you chose wisely to shoot at F4. Also, you should try shooting at ISO 6400. The results shouldn't be too bad. I shot this event at ISO 6400 with my K-5/Sigma 70-200mm APO EX DG OS combo. The setting was a Buddhist church with some overhead lighting and some sunlight that was able to reach inside the sanctuary(?). I did do some PP in Lightroom, though. Also, for reference, I shot this event with the K-5/Sigma combo at ISO 3200. I found that I got more keepers by using aperture values greater than 2.8.

12-09-2013, 09:26 PM	#12
crewl1 Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Los Angeles, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,807 Original Poster	Mamba those sets look really good. I will have to try 6400, looks like it cleans up real nice.

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12-09-2013, 09:35 PM	#13
mamba909 Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: L.A. County, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 405	Hmm, I don't recall using any noise reduction on those photos, unless there's some by default in Lightroom.

12-09-2013, 10:12 PM	#14
crewl1 Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Los Angeles, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,807 Original Poster	Originally posted by mamba909 Hmm, I don't recall using any noise reduction on those photos, unless there's some by default in Lightroom. Oh wow ok. Even better.

12-09-2013, 11:29 PM	#15
Bob Harris Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Canon City, Colorado Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 18,477	I bet you enjoyed your time there photographing Larry, I think you did a great job, I would open it up a bit to ISO 6400 and f/4 or so. The main thing is your having fun I would think.