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|| SportsShooter.com: Member Message Board
Strobing Questions
Matthew Sauk, Photographer
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Sandy | UT | United States | Posted: 8:05 PM on 02.28.09 |
->> I think I have the answer to them but I thought I might ask.
So I am going to strobe a hs bball game in an arena. I am unable to get catwalk access at this point.
Today I tried to place the strobes behind the basket/court at an angle. But I ended up having some pretty harsh shadows from the basket on some shots.
http://matthewsauk.zenfolio.com/img/v5/p455968272-3.jpg
http://matthewsauk.zenfolio.com/img/v7/p526239524-3.jpg
I am thinking of moving them just behind the baseline to help decrease a basket shadow going into the court, am I thinking right on this?
Almost so they are just behind me aiming at the top of the key, instead of 60 feet behind me if there was an imaginary line. |
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Guy Rhodes, Photographer
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East Chicago | IN | USA | Posted: 7:57 PM on 03.02.09 |
->> "I am thinking of moving them just behind the baseline to help decrease a basket shadow going into the court, am I thinking right on this?"
Yes, it's all going to come down to you finding a place for the strobes where the shadows aren't an issue. Don't be afraid to break the placement "rules" to find a better position, even if it means the strobes go a bit lower (though in that place, high would be my first choice).
Also (not relating to your question but something I saw in your images) you might consider picking up some blackwrap...
http://www.filmtools.com/gambl36x25.html
And making a "barn door" about 2 feet wide by a foot deep for the top of your reflectors to cut the spill off the arena ceiling and some of the seats. I *always* use a top blackwrap barndoor on my strobe reflectors in high school gyms to make sure the light isn't going all over the rafters. This way, when I'm sitting on the court shooting up at the players, the rafters above them are nice and dark, and the players pop out. |
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Jamie Sabau, Photographer
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Pickerington | OH | US | Posted: 8:48 PM on 03.02.09 |
->> Matthew,
Do you think the shadow might be from the lower portion of that upper deck where you have placed your strobes?
My first thought when I saw your photos of where you placed your strobes was, "If you don't have catwalk access, do you even have permission to put strobes in there? And if you do, why don't you have catwalk access?"
My immediate next thought was, "I wondered if the lower portion of seating in that upper deck is acting like a giant gobo on his strobes?"
If for no other reason than safety, you need to get the strobes up in the catwalk. If they expect any fans to populate that upper deck having your strobes within reach of anyone could be dangerous to not only the fans, but your strobes as well. If the arena does not expect any fans up there, move your lights down to the railing at the edge of that upper deck. SAFETY CABLE THEM!!! PLASTIC COVERS OVER THE HEADS!!! Then, black wrap or flag the one that will be on the opposite corner from where your shooting location is so that you are not always looking directly into the strobe when shooting.
Good luck. |
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Matthew Sauk, Photographer
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Sandy | UT | United States | Posted: 10:12 AM on 03.03.09 |
->> Guy,
Thank you for the information. Right now for barn doors I usually cut out some black cardboard type material and tape it on my reflector. That is a good idea though for the ceiling.
Jamie,
The shadow which I confirmed on that day was from the bar at the back part of the basket.
As of right now I was not able to attain permission to shoot from the catwalks, but where I placed them the other day there are no one allowed in that area. It is completely closed off to the general public. Seating is only allowed from top of the key to top of the key lower level.
I am still working on getting access to the catwalks and I have all of the safety equipment necessary to shoot it (cables, gaffer tape, etc..) Right now I have 2 safety cables per strobe (each can hold 230 pounds).
Thanks for all of your help! |
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Darren Whitley, Photographer
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Maryville | MO | USA | Posted: 10:56 AM on 03.03.09 |
->> Matt,
Be sure you have business liability insurance and proof thereof. |
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Guillaume Ramon, Photographer
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Bar Le Duc | FR | France | Posted: 11:12 AM on 03.03.09 |
->> hello matthew
what your strobes ? (elinchrom 1200 rx ?)
tanks |
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Matthew Sauk, Photographer
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Sandy | UT | United States | Posted: 1:31 AM on 03.04.09 |
->> Darren,
Yep I had TCP email me my proof of insurance the other day :)
Just an update I finally got a call back and got the ok to setup the strobes from the catwalks. Very excited and nervous.
Guillaume,
I shoot 2x1250 Zeus Power Packs with 2x Bi-Tube heads.
1/900th T1 time at full power.
I am going to double check my safety equipment and I might purchase a few more safety cables from home depot. I have 4 right now each rated at 230 pounds. |
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Matthew Sauk, Photographer
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Sandy | UT | United States | Posted: 1:39 AM on 03.04.09 |
->> I should add the only thing I need to add is a couple things of plexiglass for the reflector.
I am going to bring in my reflector into home depot and have them cut me one for it. I have the tools at home to drill the holes and what not into the plexiglass and reflector.
For those of you that have hung lights up there, are there usually places to plug in the power pack or should I bring in lots of extension cords. I know each place is different, just thought I would ask if it is normal to have somewhere to plug them up there.
Last question is where do you want to hang them? Equal to the basket depth wise or behind it aiming to the top of the key.
The inside catwalk is about the same width as the court maybe just outside of it with the outside catwalk being near the far edges of the actual arena. |
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Matthew Sauk, Photographer
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Sandy | UT | United States | Posted: 2:37 AM on 03.04.09 |
->> Is it normal for people to use grids when strobing sports?
http://www.daveblackphotography.com/workshop/0505.htm
That link is the reason I ask. I guess it makes sense if you really want to control light spill, but I have never read anyone here doing that. |
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Shawn Cullen, Assistant
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San Diego | CA | | Posted: 3:08 AM on 03.04.09 |
->> Matthew,
The last time I put strobes into the E Center was 2003. There were long runs to the outlets and several of them shared the same circuit breaker. I was using the Speedotron 2401B with the 105 2 cable heads. These packs draw a lot of amps and the 20 amp circuits in the arena would not hold. Since 2003, new outlets were installed for the Olympics since most or all of the hockey was played in the E Center. From what I remember hearing is that all the new outlets were installed on the inner catwalks(the catwalk almost directly over the court), and long runs of extension cords where needed. I am sure you will need to bring some extension cords. However, the Zeus power packs will not draw as many amps as the Speedotrons so the 20 amp circuits on the outer catwalk just might work for you. This is where I put the lights when I was there for Hockey and this is where I would put the lights for your basketball. The actuall placement of the strobes for basketball would be about 10' to 15' behind the baseline. That is if there are no obstructions such as house lights or "I" beams in the way. Any farther back and you will cast a shadow from the shot clock further out onto the court where higher percentage of shots are taken, and the glass its self will cut down on the strobe light when players go to the basket. I understand that these are girls and not NBA player, this is just the standards I follow whenever I light an arena for basketball.
Make sure that you drill holes in the plexiglass as vents as well as holes to put zip ties through.
I do remember there being a set of Normans up there but that was 2003. Also keep your head down! You will have to duck under a very large air conditioning unit on both sides of the arena.
Good luck! |
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Guillaume Ramon, Photographer
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Bar Le Duc | FR | France | Posted: 3:29 AM on 03.04.09 |
| ->> tanks for your reponse |
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Matthew Sauk, Photographer
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Sandy | UT | United States | Posted: 9:23 AM on 03.04.09 |
->> Shawn,
great information and thank you for posting that.
The inner catwalk does seem like it would be to on top of the players when strobing. Almost a straight down shot instead of a angled shot.
Thanks again for the information. I am going to go today to scout it out and talk to the guy.
I want to know what I need and where I want to put them before I actually do it. |
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Matthew Sauk, Photographer
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Sandy | UT | United States | Posted: 3:02 PM on 03.04.09 |
->> Ok so I had a chance to go up there today and scout the catwalks.
I took my camera with me and a 17-40 lens.
If any of you would be so kind to give me advice on which angle to shoot. I am going to give a link to a photo gallery that has the angles that I could shoot from. If you could just put a number in your response I would really appreciate it (number of the photo).
Thanks again
http://matthewsauk.zenfolio.com/p455045883 |
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