New bball season/new point of view?

[bikingbets]

I took my camera to a practice to scope out good vantage points for the upcoming tournament being held there. There's not much room for the fans in this place (3 courts jammed into a warehouse-type building), so I tried the "mezzanine level" just in case there's no room on the floor.

I'm interested to read opinions as to how shots from above like this might be perceived (i.e. do you prefer floor-level or upper-level, close to the basket):

1.
http://www.smugmug.com/photos/271463722_XssFr-L.jpg

2.
http://www.smugmug.com/photos/271463769_nL3M2-L.jpg

3.
http://www.smugmug.com/photos/271463787_VSzfC-L.jpg

Thanks!
Betsy

[bham]

I like the different angle. I have had the opportunity to shoot from above and really liked it.

Like with shots 2 and 3 you can isolate 2 players from the rest of the game in a particular shot, that is not always the case when shooting from the floor level.

Depending on the how you could move around on the mezzanine level, I found a shot of all the players looking up to the rim waiting to rebound can yield some nice shots.

[LUCKYSHOT]

I really liked the perspective from above, The WB is great for an indoor gym, I would love to see the gallery when you are done
Chris
www.longislandimage.com (http://www.longislandimage.com)

[joshhuntnm]

Great shots. What ISO did you shoot those at?

[bikingbets]

I like the different angle. I have had the opportunity to shoot from above and really liked it.

Like with shots 2 and 3 you can isolate 2 players from the rest of the game in a particular shot, that is not always the case when shooting from the floor level.

Depending on the how you could move around on the mezzanine level, I found a shot of all the players looking up to the rim waiting to rebound can yield some nice shots.

Thanks for the vote of confidence. I'd love to get some rebounding shots like that. The backboard gets in the way, but I might be able to find a good spot from which to do that.

[bikingbets]

I really liked the perspective from above, The WB is great for an indoor gym, I would love to see the gallery when you are done
Chris
www.longislandimage.com (http://www.longislandimage.com)

Thanks, Luckyshot. It's fun to shoot from up there. It's also nice to be in a gym where I don't have to worry about WB!!!!!
I'll try to remember to post a link to the gallery.

[bikingbets]

Great shots. What ISO did you shoot those at?

Thanks for commenting! These are ISO 1600.

[joshhuntnm]

I think I need a 40D!

[bham]

I think I need a 40D!

What are you shooting now. (Is it still Rebel XTi?)

I use both 20D and 40D and while I see some difference, I don't think you need a 40D to accomplish a great sports shot. The biggest improvement in my sports shots came from 2.8L glass.