JP Morgan Chase Open (Tennis)

Ben CBen C Registered Users Posts: 33 Big grins
edited August 16, 2005 in Sports
I covered the JP Morgan Chase Open last week. I was disappointed that Lindsay Davenport and Serena Williams had pulled out of the tournament due to injuries. On Thursday, I was even more disappointed that Maria Sharapova also dropped out due to a pectoral muscle pull. Even though the top stars were not there, I still had a good time. This is my first time shooting tennis, I really enjoyed the experience. Here are few images. Comments and suggestions are always welcome. Ben

#1- Aug 13, 2005; Carson, CA, USA; Kim Clijsters (Bel) stretch wide for a forehand return against Francesca Schiavone (Ita) at the semi finals of JP Morgan Chase Open at the Home Depot Center Tennis Stadium.

47659778.jpg

#2- Aug 13, 2005; Carson, CA, USA; Francesca Schiavone (Ita) hits a backhand against Kim Clijsters (Bel) against at the semi finals of JP Morgan Chase Open at the Home Depot Center Tennis Stadium.

47659782.jpg

#3- Aug 13, 2005; Carson, CA, USA; Elena Daniela Hantuchova (Svk) hits a backhand against Dementieva (Rus) during the semi finals of the JP Morgan Chase Open at the Home Depot Center Tennis Stadium. Hantuchova won 6-3, 6-4.

47659785.jpg

#4- Aug 09, 2005; Carson, CA, USA; Maria Sharapova (Rus) hits a backhand against Maria Kirilenko (Rus) at 2nd round of the JP Morgan Chase Open at the Home Depot Center Tennis Stadium

47708566.jpg

#5- Aug 11, 2005; Carson, CA, USA; Maria Sharapova (Rus) hits a forehand against Anna Chakvetadze (Rus) at the 4th round of JP Morgan Chase Open at the Home Depot Center Tennis Stadium.


47659797.jpg

#6- Aug 11, 2005; Carson, CA, USA; Kim Clijsters (Bel) hits a backhand against Dinara Safina (Rus) at the 4th round of JP Morgan Chase Open at the Home Depot Center Tennis Stadium.

47659793.jpg

#7- Aug 09, 2005; Carson, CA, USA; Maria Sharapova (Rus) pumps her fist in a game against Maria Kirilenko (Rus) at 2nd round of the JP Morgan Chase Open at the Home Depot Center Tennis Stadium.

47659796.jpg

#8- Aug 14, 2005; Carson, CA, USA; Kim Clijsters (Bel) hits a backhand against Daniela Hantuchova (Svk) at the finals of the JP Morgan Chase Open at the Home Depot Center Tennis Stadium. Clijsters won 6-4, 6-1.

47705399.jpg

#9-Aug 14, 2005; Carson, CA, USA; Kim Clijsters (Bel) waives to the fans after she won the finals of the JP Morgan Chase Open against Daniela Hantuchova (Svk) at the Home Depot Center Tennis Stadium.

47709031.jpg
Freelance Sports Photographer
http://sportspixel.com

Comments

  • 4labs4labs Registered Users Posts: 2,089 Major grins
    edited August 15, 2005
    These are really great. You captured all the action and the intensity of the matches! I'd be very proud.thumb.gif
  • DavidTODavidTO Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 19,160 Major grins
    edited August 15, 2005
    Ben C wrote:
    47705399.jpg

    Look at that ball and that racquet! Cool capture of the instant.
    Moderator Emeritus
    Dgrin FAQ | Me | Workshops
  • ginger_55ginger_55 Registered Users Posts: 8,416 Major grins
    edited August 15, 2005
    Very good shots! Since you covered it, I imagine that it was as a pro. My inclination is to say that these look very professional, but then I think they are, smile.

    Whatever, they are very good shots.

    (I used to ask my husband to take photos of "me" when I was playing. OK, I was only a minor intermediate, but I still did not just stand still all of the time, so I do know that it is difficult to get shots like you did.)

    Excellent "work".

    ginger
    After all is said and done, it is the sweet tea.
  • NirNir Registered Users Posts: 1,400 Major grins
    edited August 15, 2005
    fantastic ben!!

    clap.gif
    __________________

    Nir Alon

    images of my thoughts
  • Ben CBen C Registered Users Posts: 33 Big grins
    edited August 15, 2005
    4labs wrote:
    These are really great. You captured all the action and the intensity of the matches! I'd be very proud.thumb.gif


    4labs, thank you for looking and kind words. Ben
    Freelance Sports Photographer
    http://sportspixel.com
  • Ben CBen C Registered Users Posts: 33 Big grins
    edited August 15, 2005
    DavidTO wrote:
    Look at that ball and that racquet! Cool capture of the instant.

    Hi, David, I get lucky once of awhile. Ben
    Freelance Sports Photographer
    http://sportspixel.com
  • Ben CBen C Registered Users Posts: 33 Big grins
    edited August 15, 2005
    ginger_55 wrote:
    Very good shots! Since you covered it, I imagine that it was as a pro. My inclination is to say that these look very professional, but then I think they are, smile.

    Whatever, they are very good shots.

    (I used to ask my husband to take photos of "me" when I was playing. OK, I was only a minor intermediate, but I still did not just stand still all of the time, so I do know that it is difficult to get shots like you did.)

    Excellent "work".

    ginger

    Hi, Ginger, I am a full time sports photographer that works for a wire service. I shoot 5-6 sporting events each week. This is the first time I ever shot tennis. It took a few games to get use to the tempo. It was fun! I think it has to be one of my favorite sport to cover. Ben
    Freelance Sports Photographer
    http://sportspixel.com
  • Ben CBen C Registered Users Posts: 33 Big grins
    edited August 15, 2005
    Nir wrote:
    fantastic ben!!

    clap.gif


    Thanks, Nir. Ben
    Freelance Sports Photographer
    http://sportspixel.com
  • tinutinu Registered Users Posts: 3 Beginner grinner
    edited August 15, 2005
    Great shots !

    How many shots did you take and did you use a 8 fps camera ?

    Regards, Martin
  • Ben CBen C Registered Users Posts: 33 Big grins
    edited August 15, 2005
    tinu wrote:
    Great shots !

    How many shots did you take and did you use a 8 fps camera ?

    Regards, Martin

    Martin, these were all shot with single shot. Just like shooting the batter in baseball, one can never rely on 8 fps; the timing of these is probably in the hundredth of second range. I am always timing for the ball on the string. Nearly all my shots have a ball on the frame (picture frame not tennis frame); most shots have the ball on the racket and a few shots with the ball on the strings. Ben
    Freelance Sports Photographer
    http://sportspixel.com
  • wxwaxwxwax Registered Users Posts: 15,471 Major grins
    edited August 15, 2005
    Ben, it's great to have you here sharing your shots with us. These are wonderful. Fantastic intensity. Did you do much cropping?
    Sid.
    Catapultam habeo. Nisi pecuniam omnem mihi dabis, ad caput tuum saxum immane mittam
    http://www.mcneel.com/users/jb/foghorn/ill_shut_up.au
  • KhaosKhaos Registered Users Posts: 2,435 Major grins
    edited August 15, 2005
    Great set, thanks for sharing.thumb.gif
  • ian408ian408 Administrators Posts: 21,904 moderator
    edited August 16, 2005
    Ben,

    These are nice shots but the color looks a bit flat. I would imagine it's more
    a function of the time of day? The shots I notice it most in are 3, 5, 6 and
    8. #4, the linesman/ball boy's black shorts against the tanned leg of
    Sharapova almost looks like a jpeg artifact.

    It looks like you sit for most of your shots. I like the angle these are taken
    from.

    Thanks for sharing!
    Ian
    Moderator Journeys/Sports/Big Picture :: Need some help with dgrin?
  • ihiphotosihiphotos Registered Users Posts: 45 Big grins
    edited August 16, 2005
    The best two are ...
    Ben C wrote:
    I covered the JP Morgan Chase Open last week. I was disappointed that Lindsay Davenport and Serena Williams had pulled out of the tournament due to injuries. On Thursday, I was even more disappointed that Maria Sharapova also dropped out due to a pectoral muscle pull. Even though the top stars were not there, I still had a good time. This is my first time shooting tennis, I really enjoyed the experience. Here are few images. Comments and suggestions are always welcome. Ben

    #1- Aug 13, 2005; Carson, CA, USA; Kim Clijsters (Bel) stretch wide for a forehand return against Francesca Schiavone (Ita) at the semi finals of JP Morgan Chase Open at the Home Depot Center Tennis Stadium.

    47659778.jpg

    #2- Aug 13, 2005; Carson, CA, USA; Francesca Schiavone (Ita) hits a backhand against Kim Clijsters (Bel) against at the semi finals of JP Morgan Chase Open at the Home Depot Center Tennis Stadium.

    47659782.jpg

    #3- Aug 13, 2005; Carson, CA, USA; Elena Daniela Hantuchova (Svk) hits a backhand against Dementieva (Rus) during the semi finals of the JP Morgan Chase Open at the Home Depot Center Tennis Stadium. Hantuchova won 6-3, 6-4.

    47659785.jpg

    #4- Aug 09, 2005; Carson, CA, USA; Maria Sharapova (Rus) hits a backhand against Maria Kirilenko (Rus) at 2nd round of the JP Morgan Chase Open at the Home Depot Center Tennis Stadium

    47708566.jpg

    #5- Aug 11, 2005; Carson, CA, USA; Maria Sharapova (Rus) hits a forehand against Anna Chakvetadze (Rus) at the 4th round of JP Morgan Chase Open at the Home Depot Center Tennis Stadium.


    47659797.jpg

    #6- Aug 11, 2005; Carson, CA, USA; Kim Clijsters (Bel) hits a backhand against Dinara Safina (Rus) at the 4th round of JP Morgan Chase Open at the Home Depot Center Tennis Stadium.

    47659793.jpg

    #7- Aug 09, 2005; Carson, CA, USA; Maria Sharapova (Rus) pumps her fist in a game against Maria Kirilenko (Rus) at 2nd round of the JP Morgan Chase Open at the Home Depot Center Tennis Stadium.

    47659796.jpg

    #8- Aug 14, 2005; Carson, CA, USA; Kim Clijsters (Bel) hits a backhand against Daniela Hantuchova (Svk) at the finals of the JP Morgan Chase Open at the Home Depot Center Tennis Stadium. Clijsters won 6-4, 6-1.

    47705399.jpg

    #9-Aug 14, 2005; Carson, CA, USA; Kim Clijsters (Bel) waives to the fans after she won the finals of the JP Morgan Chase Open against Daniela Hantuchova (Svk) at the Home Depot Center Tennis Stadium.

    47709031.jpg
    In my opinion, the first two are by far the best! Nice job! I LOVE ACTION PHOTOGRAPHY!!! :D
    ~Moments into memories ...
    Chrisa
    Tri-Sun Photography :photo
    www.tri-sunllc.com
  • Ben CBen C Registered Users Posts: 33 Big grins
    edited August 16, 2005
    wxwax wrote:
    Ben, it's great to have you here sharing your shots with us. These are wonderful. Fantastic intensity. Did you do much cropping?
    Sid, I am trying to shoot these as tight as possible in order to obtain the best possible quality. Most are shot with either 200 f/1.8 or 300 f/2.8 when I am in the photo well. If I am shooting from the stands it would be shot with 400 f/2.8 with a 1.4X TC. Many shots are unusable due to some vital parts of the photos are cut off (i.e. ball, racket or head); however if I shot these loosely, they will never be good enough to make to the magazines. For example, here is #3 right out of camera. All I did was crop off the dead space to either side of her. Cheers, Ben

    47779574.jpg
    Freelance Sports Photographer
    http://sportspixel.com
  • Ben CBen C Registered Users Posts: 33 Big grins
    edited August 16, 2005
    Khaos wrote:
    Great set, thanks for sharing.thumb.gif
    Khos, I enjoy sharing my work with this forum. It seems I get great feedbacks from everyone here. Thanks for looking. Ben
    Freelance Sports Photographer
    http://sportspixel.com
  • Ben CBen C Registered Users Posts: 33 Big grins
    edited August 16, 2005
    ian408 wrote:
    Ben,

    These are nice shots but the color looks a bit flat. I would imagine it's more
    a function of the time of day? The shots I notice it most in are 3, 5, 6 and
    8. #4, the linesman/ball boy's black shorts against the tanned leg of
    Sharapova almost looks like a jpeg artifact.

    It looks like you sit for most of your shots. I like the angle these are taken
    from.

    Thanks for sharing!
    Ian

    Ian, I am working under deadline conditions, which means I do not have a lot of time to tweak each of the photos. My job is to get it shot right, capture the actions, write the captions and transmit it before other wire services transmit theirs. It means I am editing photos between points in the photo well. I cannot spend more the 3 min. on each photo. I am transmitting photos from the 1st set while the 2nd set is being played. It is my picture desk editor’s job to make the photos looks more presentable to the end users and correct all my mistakes. Thank goodness for their work. Ben
    Freelance Sports Photographer
    http://sportspixel.com
  • Ben CBen C Registered Users Posts: 33 Big grins
    edited August 16, 2005
    ihiphotos wrote:
    In my opinion, the first two are by far the best! Nice job! I LOVE ACTION PHOTOGRAPHY!!! :D

    Chrisa, I like those as well. Ben
    Freelance Sports Photographer
    http://sportspixel.com
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