Dance

[Robertk]

This was my second attempt at a dance competition. What do you think?

#1
http://www.rmkphotos.com/Dance/Platinum-2010/Fragile-Platinum-2010/Jolie-Fragile-7288/811417780_rFjCE-L-2.jpg (http://www.rmkphotos.com/Dance/Platinum-2010/Fragile-Platinum-2010/11526692_yRx9R#811417780_rFjCE-A-LB)
Date Taken: 2010-03-13 09:47:19
Camera: Canon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XSi
Exposure Time: 0.0025s (1/400)
Aperture: f/2.8
ISO: 800
Focal Length: 155mm (248mm in 35mm)


Metering: partial
Exposure Program: shutter priority
Exposure Bias: -1 EV
Exposure Mode: auto
White Balance: auto
Subject Distance: 206/10

#2
http://www.rmkphotos.com/Dance/Platinum-2010/Sort-Of-Platinum-2010/Sort-Of-7767/812327957_fS67B-L.jpg (http://www.rmkphotos.com/Dance/Platinum-2010/Sort-Of-Platinum-2010/11536606_ZpYez#812327957_fS67B-A-LB)
Date Taken: 2010-03-13 12:49:53
Camera: Canon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XSi
Exposure Time: 0.005s (1/200)
Aperture: f/4
ISO: 800
Focal Length: 125mm (200mm in 35mm)


Metering: pattern
Exposure Program: manual
Exposure Bias: 0 EV
Exposure Mode: manual
White Balance: auto
Subject Distance: 145/10

#3
http://www.rmkphotos.com/Dance/Platinum-2010/Sort-Of-Platinum-2010/Sort-Of-2-7717/813576003_zZ32e-L.jpg (http://www.rmkphotos.com/Dance/Platinum-2010/Sort-Of-Platinum-2010/11536606_ZpYez#813576003_zZ32e-A-LB)
Date Taken: 2010-03-13 12:48:38
Camera: Canon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XSi
Exposure Time: 0.0025s (1/400)
Aperture: f/2.8
ISO: 800
Focal Length: 78mm (124.8mm in 35mm)

Metering: pattern
Exposure Program: shutter priority
Exposure Bias: -1 EV
Exposure Mode: auto
White Balance: auto
Subject Distance: 145/10

#4
http://www.rmkphotos.com/Dance/Platinum-2010/Bad-Romance-Platinum-2010/Bad-Romance-8792/813779952_hhTxa-L.jpg (http://www.rmkphotos.com/Dance/Platinum-2010/Bad-Romance-Platinum-2010/11554380_3VR65#813779952_hhTxa-A-LB)
Date Taken: 2010-03-14 07:43:32
Camera: Canon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XSi
Exposure Time: 0.0025s (1/400)
Aperture: f/2.8
ISO: 800
Focal Length: 125mm (200mm in 35mm)


Metering: pattern
Exposure Program: shutter priority
Exposure Bias: -1 EV
Exposure Mode: auto
White Balance: auto
Subject Distance: 206/10

#5
http://www.rmkphotos.com/Dance/Platinum-2010/Wild-Horses-Platinum-2010/Butterfly-7217/811298103_aA4Tc-L-1.jpg (http://www.rmkphotos.com/Dance/Platinum-2010/Wild-Horses-Platinum-2010/11525211_hHTfU#811298103_aA4Tc-A-LB)
Date Taken: 2010-03-13 09:02:23
Camera: Canon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XSi
Exposure Time: 0.004s (1/250)
Aperture: f/2.8
ISO: 800
Focal Length: 153mm (244.8mm in 35mm)


Metering: partial
Exposure Program: shutter priority
Exposure Bias: 0 EV
Exposure Mode: auto
White Balance: auto
Subject Distance: 206/10

#6
http://www.rmkphotos.com/Dance/Platinum-2010/Zipadeedoodah-Platinum-2010/Maeleen-Zipadeedoodah-7176/811281411_VFRcB-L-1.jpg (http://www.rmkphotos.com/Dance/Platinum-2010/Zipadeedoodah-Platinum-2010/11524986_oH8i3#811281411_VFRcB-A-LB)
Date Taken: 2010-03-13 08:47:36
Camera: Canon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XSi
Exposure Time: 0.004s (1/250)
Aperture: f/2.8
ISO: 800
Focal Length: 155mm (248mm in 35mm)

Metering: spot
Exposure Program: manual
Exposure Bias: 0 EV
Exposure Mode: manual
White Balance: auto
Subject Distance: 206/10

#7
http://www.rmkphotos.com/Dance/Platinum-2010/Warm-Whispers-Platinum-2010/Warm-Whispers-8638/813611992_xKs9G-L.jpg (http://www.rmkphotos.com/Dance/Platinum-2010/Warm-Whispers-Platinum-2010/11552126_Cor2s#813611992_xKs9G-A-LB)
Date Taken: 2010-03-14 07:01:14
Camera: Canon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XSi
Exposure Time: 0.0031s (1/320)
Aperture: f/2.8
ISO: 800
Focal Length: 115mm (184mm in 35mm)

Flash: flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode
Metering: spot
Exposure Program: shutter priority
Exposure Bias: -1 EV
Exposure Mode: auto
White Balance: auto
Subject Distance: 206/10

#8
http://www.rmkphotos.com/Dance/Platinum-2010/Breaking-Dishes-Platinum-2010/Breaking-Dishes-9201-2/814151208_YEJ9B-L.jpg (http://www.rmkphotos.com/Dance/Platinum-2010/Breaking-Dishes-Platinum-2010/11559013_k9B67#814151208_YEJ9B-A-LB)
Date Taken: 2010-03-14 09:39:53
Camera: Canon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XSi
Exposure Time: 0.0025s (1/400)
Aperture: f/2.8
ISO: 800
Focal Length: 200mm (320mm in 35mm)

Metering: pattern
Exposure Program: shutter priority
Exposure Bias: -1 EV
Exposure Mode: auto
White Balance: auto
Subject Distance: 206/10

#9
http://www.rmkphotos.com/Dance/Halle/001/810507319_HKi9p-L.jpg (http://www.rmkphotos.com/Dance/Halle/11515686_kPRUu#810507319_HKi9p-A-LB)

[Rocketman766]

Overall, I think these look pretty good. A couple seem a bit soft in the face or show some blurring of the feet and hands, motion blur... intentional? What mode did you shoot in and what type of metering? Otherwise I think these look good. Are these straight out of the camera? Framed like this or cropped?

Lance.

[Robertk]

Some of the faces are a bit soft. I have been having trouble with my xsi focusing to far to the front. Not sure if its the camera or user error. I was shooting these with an aperature of 2.8 so the tiny depth of field may be contributing to that. Focus mode was servo.

Shutter speed was 1/320-1/400 most of the time. Motion blur was not intentional but I do not mind it in the hands in feet.

The lighting had no consistency and was very bright in the middle and fell off rapidly.

Some were framed like you see them. Others were cropped a bit. #8 was cropped a lot.

[Robertk]

Any other thoughts? Advice?

[Robertk]

Well since there isnt many comments does anyone know where I could post these to get some good feedback.

Thanks.

[Robertk]

I really would like some advice or help. Is it me or is it the camera?

[aktse]

It would be helpful if you provided more details, like EXIF and the AF focus points you were using (center?)? Which lens? At what focal length? How much post was done? SOC?

Also, what's the goals of these images? Are you trying to sell these images or are they for your personal use?

People can provide more useful feedback if the understand the purpose of the image and if you really want C&C or the a "pat on the back" type of info?

The following applies if you're trying to sell these images....
In general, you're not focus locked and getting motion blur. The images are too soft. In terms of the compositions, there is too much back & butt and not enough face. Dancers (at any level) want to look the best, and it's been drilled that I only show images that showcase them fully -- e.g. peak of action, when they hit a position. The same applies for a profile shot. You're complaining about back focus -- run a focus test (Scott Quier has a post on calibration and focus). Otherwise, work on your tracking and prediction skills.

If you're a mom or dad with camera who just wants to improve....
You did a good job of capturing moments in a very difficult shooting situation. You did a really good job for you second time shooting dance! You even paid attention to the horizons and keeping it level! :thumb What ISO are you shooting at? Can you increase the ISO and shutter speed a bit?

To help with the focus, are you able to prefocus on an area and wait until the dancers move into camera range? Depending on the lens that you're using, I tend to like to use center point autofocus because it's usually slightly faster to lock. Keep shoot :barb

[torags]

Good tips.

I favor following the moving subject with AF & pressing shutter before & during peak with continuous focus, snapping 4-8 frames, choosing keepers in PP. I can never seem to react fast enough when waiting for action.

Only shoot in the light radius, why aggrevate yourself in PP with exposures beyond your control

I think #1 was technically best , but the little girl in #4&5 takes the show (for me)

It would be helpful to number the shots, then we could accurately comment.

A very good effort, you have a good eye and that's a lot of the battle

[Robertk]

Thank You. Im definately not looking for a pat on the back. I would like to be able to sell the images I take in future. How do I post the EXIF?

Lens was a 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS. Should I have been using IS? It seemed to cause me to miss the first shot when I did use it.

I used the AI Servo mode and the center point is the default.

Not much post was done. I did use 100% noise reduction in Lightroom and some cropping.

ISO was 800. I was afraid to use 1600 with my XSI.

Do you think a 7D might help?

Thanks and dont worry about hurting my feelings. I have only had my camera for about 3 months so I know there is much im doing wrong and can improve on.

[Robertk]

Just realized my problem with #2. Exposure Time: 0.005s (1/200)

[torags]

One other thing; on my 70/200; IQ at either end of the spectrum are not the sweetest spots.I generally back off a little (could be my copy)

[Robertk]

Should I be using IS?

[torags]

Should I be using IS?

Personally I don't use VR (Nikons IS) when shooting motion. If you're shooting continuously, the IS or VR will slow down the AF in the series and you may perhaps miss the perfect point of the image, when sorting thru in PP.

there are lots of people who swear by it, and may chime in.

[Rocketman766]

Not a fan of IS here either at times like this....I make sure my IS is OFF when shooting sports or any activity like this. I don't shoot dance, but when shooting cheer, I actually put a piece of tape over the switches for the IS and AF/MF to keep me from changing the settings in the middle of a performance. Couldn't figure out once why my 70-200 wouldn't focus ... more embarrassed that I had hit the AF/MF switch than anything...

[Robertk]

Anyone that uses IS care to tell me why they use it?