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Andy

Nov-19-2006, 11:48 AM

Big day for the Tae Kwon Do club today. They were all doing their tests to move up another belt. The kids were great :thumb I shot these with my Canon 5D, Canon 24-105L, and Canon 580EX.

I Shot in RAW + Small JPG in camera. AI Servo focus. Manual exposure, 1/200th sec, f/5 and ISO 800. Focal lengths were typically 24mm - 30mm, as the room was really tight. The flash was set in ETTL mode, and bounced off the ceiling. Positive EC of 2/3s stop on the flash. I like to push the exposures as bright as possible - I don't care if a bit of the white uniforms get blown, I'm really after the best exposure possible for the faces.

Before the event, I made a gallery on my site. I printed up small sheets of paper with the gallery address and more info, for the parents at the event. The gallery is set for Proof Delay (http://www.smugmug.com/help/proof-retouch-replace), so that when the parents order, I will be able to only work up in final form, the shots that are being bought.

Here are some samples though :D

http://www.smugmug.com/photos/111388527-L.jpg

http://www.smugmug.com/photos/111388498-L.jpg http://www.smugmug.com/photos/111388545-L.jpg

http://www.smugmug.com/photos/111388461-L.jpg

Determination
http://www.smugmug.com/photos/111388471-L.jpg

First time breaking two boards at once
http://www.smugmug.com/photos/111388485-L.jpg

http://www.smugmug.com/photos/111388418-L.jpg

No pain, no gain.
http://www.smugmug.com/photos/111388444-L.jpg

This little girl brought down the house when she was awarded "most improved." :thumb
http://www.smugmug.com/photos/111388561-L.jpg http://www.smugmug.com/photos/111388576-L.jpg

Enjoy (event) photography,

gus

Nov-19-2006, 11:50 AM

That little girls face at the end is worth everything ! Sharp shots mate !!!

DavidTO

Nov-19-2006, 11:50 AM

Nice series.

Lightsphere?

Andy

Nov-19-2006, 11:54 AM

Nice series.

Lightsphere?
Thanks. I had the lightsphere with me, always do. But I didn't use it. The ceiling was only 8 feet tall, and it was white. Perfect for bouncing.

saurora

Nov-19-2006, 11:59 AM

What a great series...the expressions are priceless! Thanks for posting all of the detail on your exposures, flash settings, etc. Really helpful! :saurora

johng

Nov-19-2006, 01:39 PM

Andy,

Nice series. The only detraction is the angle. All the shots are shooting down on the participants rather than at their level which I think weakens the overall impact.

Love the faces on the ki-ahps!

Andy

Nov-19-2006, 01:54 PM

All the shots are shooting down on the participants rather than at their level

Huh. In this series (only a few out of about 600 shots today) #s 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10 are at eye-level to the subjects, I don't understand :scratch

Here's one more, from the sparring sessions:

http://www.smugmug.com/photos/111421230-L-0.jpg

BTW, I totally agree, shooting at their level is what I aim for when I can. In this room (very tiny!) I have to cohabit with the Master, three giant judges, and all the kids sitting around me :lol3

DavidTO

Nov-19-2006, 01:58 PM

http://www.smugmug.com/photos/111421230-Ti.jpg

You lay those kids out on the floor, you could play Twister©!

gefillmore

Nov-19-2006, 02:06 PM

neat shots-

love the ones of the most improved-

devbobo

Nov-19-2006, 02:14 PM

Hey Andy,

BRILLIANT !!! :D

I totally love Trev's face in this shot...

http://www.smugmug.com/photos/111388471-S.jpg

Cheers,

Dave

dbaker1221

Nov-19-2006, 02:44 PM

thanks Andy ..that was interesting:thumb

Andy

Nov-19-2006, 04:32 PM

Hey Andy,

BRILLIANT !!! :D

I totally love Trev's face in this shot...

http://www.smugmug.com/photos/111388471-Th.jpg

Cheers,

Dave

:lol3 here he is, practicing, I guess :evil
http://www.smugmug.com/photos/111464010-L-1.jpg

Thanks!

johng

Nov-19-2006, 06:35 PM

Huh. In this series (only a few out of about 600 shots today) #s 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10 are at eye-level to the subjects, I don't understand :scratch
:lol3

Sure, in 1-6 (except for one of them) just look at how much the floor rises - you can tell by that you're shooting at a downward angle. But again, they're still great shots - it's just with kids this small you almost have to get down on your belly or at least sitting (or get a crimp in your back from hunching over from a kneeling position)

Andy

Nov-19-2006, 07:00 PM

Sure, in 1-6 (except for one of them) just look at how much the floor rises - you can tell by that you're shooting at a downward angle. But again, they're still great shots - it's just with kids this small you almost have to get down on your belly or at least sitting (or get a crimp in your back from hunching over from a kneeling position)
Reading is hard :D

OK here are two more just for you, John :evil

http://www.smugmug.com/photos/111505065-L.jpg http://www.smugmug.com/photos/111505037-L.jpg

roosterman

Nov-19-2006, 07:06 PM

Love the little blonde guy under "Determination".

Andy

Nov-19-2006, 07:36 PM

Love the little blonde guy under "Determination".:D thanks! He's my youngest :D

mushy

Nov-19-2006, 09:56 PM

All these photo's rock Andy, but number 5,7 and the look of shock from the young girl at the end are just magic, some parents are really gunna love you:wink :wink

Art Scott

Nov-19-2006, 11:42 PM

:bow:bownice series....realy nice one of your youngest prior to his board breaking......

antrieb

Nov-20-2006, 10:22 AM

I guess when Trevor asks me to pass the Turkey on Thursday, I better listen :D

DoctorIt

Nov-20-2006, 10:25 AM

this is so cool:

http://www.smugmug.com/photos/111388461-Th.jpg

great set Andy :thumb

Dee

Nov-20-2006, 12:28 PM

Tomorrow we're going to watch CJ at his karate class for the first time. My daughter shoots with the Sony S75 which she dearly loves. However I haven't been able to see if it has a white balance adjustment -- the fluorescent tubes have this awful green tinge in the photos. I spend a lot of time trying to correct in post.

So my F828 (which was "fixed") is ailing and will go back in for repair after the class, and I have the 707, which is working. I have my Sunpak but have to practice with it today on the 707 in case the 828 is not going to work correctly. I'm hoping the ceiling is white and low enough to bounce off of and that CJ won't be working in the dreaded third ring. Apparently the parents have to stay put in the front of the place, so that means I'd wind up shooting between kids to get to CJ.

It was good to see you were able to bounce the flash and get such good photos. I'm sure a good strong flash helps in a situation like this.

However, it looks as if you were able to get close to the action... something I may not be allowed to do. sigh!

So I'll be keeping your wonderful photos in mind tomorrow! You give me a lot to strive for...

Steve Cavigliano

Nov-21-2006, 08:30 AM

Excellent shots Andy :thumb :thumb As mentioned, really nice flash control :clap

I agree with Dave. The look on Trev's face is priceless :barb

Steve

kres

Nov-23-2006, 07:16 AM

http://www.smugmug.com/photos/111388561-L.jpg

The action shots are good... but this one is great you can almost hear her bubbling over. :barb

Andy

Nov-25-2006, 08:24 PM

All these photo's rock Andy, but number 5,7 and the look of shock from the young girl at the end are just magic, some parents are really gunna love you:wink :wink
Thanks Mushy, that's my fave as well.

asamuel

Nov-25-2006, 08:41 PM

Aye, reminds me of the pride and elation of getting your stuff right on the day. I think the shots convey some of the flare and style of the art. Little tiny super humans.

Heres a thought: A capture of a spinning hook with some motion blur! eh! I would try and get it down but I think the experiment would land me in intensive these days.

imax

Nov-25-2006, 09:12 PM

Hey Andy, Great pictures of the kids. I got a kick out of this one. Your sons face seems to say "I can't Wait To Do That!"

http://www.smugmug.com/photos/111388461-M.jpg

Thanks for the inspiration..................

Joe

jsedlak

Nov-26-2006, 12:43 PM

Awesome shots andy! Been looking for the rest of these shots!

photocat

Nov-26-2006, 12:52 PM

Great action and great action shots too Andy. I love the expressions on their faces, quick reaction from you to get those key moments.

I also love your tip (might steal it from you) to make a gallery upfront and give the parents a little card with the URL...

Why did I not think of that before? I have started shooting birthday parties and such, and I often find that the organizer does not give the link out, so people don't see the children... Missing out on sales.

You did a fine job, looks like the kids forgot that you were there, which always works for me.

Shima

Nov-26-2006, 07:49 PM

Awesome shots Andy. As one who has studied a mixed martial arts style for the past 6 years (and been a black belt for the past 2 of those years teaching)... I really do enjoy seeing others out there who enjoy taking Martial Arts photography. My style has kicks very heavily based on Tae Kwon Do, and I must say my favorite of all your shots up there is the yellow belt who is throwing his flying side kick :) Great shot.

I need to get my students some rebreakable boards... (cept my students are all in college, so they probably won't look nearly as awesome as these kids who learned how to do it from such a young age, heh)

mrlarter

Jun-02-2007, 02:00 PM

Sorry to revive a dead thread but I am sitting right now at a Tae Kwon Do tournament about to take photos. Thanks for the advice in the thread and I'll post my photos up later tonight.

Andy

Jun-13-2007, 04:03 PM

Sorry to revive a dead thread but I am sitting right now at a Tae Kwon Do tournament about to take photos. Thanks for the advice in the thread and I'll post my photos up later tonight.
:thumb how'd it go?

I did some more last weekend, here's one:

Canon 5D, 580EX bounced, and Canon 16-35L II, @ 16mm.
http://www.smugmug.com/photos/161405936-L.jpg

Andy

Jun-16-2007, 02:39 PM

JESTER

Jun-17-2007, 06:56 AM

Wonderful shots and great series Andy:thumb Did you I2E these? The blacks are black and the whites are really great. You were right on the exposure. Not bad for a Canon shooter.:D

Andy

Jun-17-2007, 06:58 AM

Wonderful shots and great series Andy:thumb Did you I2E these? The blacks are black and the whites are really great. You were right on the exposure. Not bad for a Canon shooter.:D
Thanks :)

Except for a slight crop, this is straight from the Camera:

http://www.smugmug.com/photos/161405936-250x250.jpg

mrlarter

Jun-17-2007, 08:31 AM

It sadly did not go well at all [lol] They neglected to tell me the lights would be shut off and there would only be spotlights on the competitors. It was a demonstration and the lighting conditions where absolutely horrible.

I am now doing a Tae Kwon do grading for a local school. And I am having a huge issues with the blue mats in their dojo. All the photos I am taking come out with a bad blue tint. I am going to go back this week with a flash but am worried about flashing off lights while they perform..any suggestions? did you run into this with your photos?

Andy

Jun-17-2007, 08:34 AM

did you run into this with your photos?

Do you see the blue mat in my latest photos :)

Shoot Raw. Share some examples - we can help.

mrlarter

Jun-17-2007, 08:48 AM

Here is an unedited photo from the shoot. It's a bad photo but shows the blue tint.

http://brianlarter.com/images/blue.jpg

I shoot in raw + jpg and this is the jpg file from the camera.

Andy

Jun-17-2007, 08:51 AM

Here is an unedited photo from the shoot. It's a bad photo but shows the blue tint.

http://brianlarter.com/images/blue.jpg

I shoot in raw + jpg and this is the jpg file from the camera.Well, it's severely underexposed, that's not good. You really need to use flash :D

mrlarter

Jun-17-2007, 09:02 AM

yeah thats what I was thinking. Going to send off an e-mail to the master today and see if he is cool with that. I was using an Canon 28-135 f/3.5-5.6. I might try and use a 50mm f/1.8 this week and see if I can get a bit more light. the place is definitely under lit for photography.

On top of that the actual grading is in another center so I need to go there this week and check out the lighting as well.

What flash are you using? I'll need to buy one by Thursday.

Andy

Jun-17-2007, 11:10 AM

mrlarter

Jun-17-2007, 06:28 PM

Thanks, I'll try and pick one up.

Andy

Jun-17-2007, 06:30 PM

Thanks, I'll try and pick one up.
Two flashes for sale in the flea market right now :D

mrlarter

Jun-17-2007, 06:45 PM

I'd be all over those but I need it by thursday.

Andy

Feb-06-2009, 06:02 AM

I love your work and can not wait to produce the kind of shots that you produce. I looked at some photos that you took at a taekwondo studio. Well, I am shooting my first taekwondo tournament this weekend, it will consist of up to 30 matches of youth. I was hoping I could get some pointers on the setup. I shoot a canon 40D and I am wondering about the best settings to try. The tournament will be inside a large elementary school cafeteria. Any info that you can give me, I would deeply appreciate it.

Thank you!

What lenses, what flash gear do you have? :ear

truett

Feb-06-2009, 12:17 PM

What lenses, what flash gear do you have? :ear

I shoot a canon 40D, canon EFS 17-85mm, canon 75-300 1:4-5.6, 430 EXII Speedlite, Expodisc for white balance, and the gary fong lightsphere. In the next few weeks I will be buying the Tamron 70-200mm 2.5

Thanks,

Truett