Shooting mma show tonight! HELP!!!

[xxxVALETUDOxxx]

OK guys, I'm a little in over my head here but that's where I shine. I'm taking pics at a mma show in Pasadena tonight and I was wondering if any of you with more experience could give me some pointers. I'm not going to be responsible for the in ring action, just mostly fighter entrances, post fight celebrations, crowd shots, etc...

I'm sure in between all that I will be shooting the cage. THATS where I'm a little nervous. I know I'm going to have to adjust the ISO and the shutter speed because a flash at this point will be out of the question. F.4 for short depth would be ideal under proper lighting...but I don't know if that would be the case here. I know I'll need at least a shutter speed of 1/500 to catch the action. Should I use aperture priority? Or just go auto and see what happens?

Any help is greatly appreciated.

[xxxVALETUDOxxx]

Oh yeah...I borrowed a buddies Canon 60D for this one...

Tok...I like this camera...as much as I've enjoyed Nikkon, I think you are right...

[Tokyudo]

I sent you a PM.

Never go auto, you might be able to get away with Sports mode though because it will immediately up your ISO to 1600 and use f2.8.

Which lens will you be using?

[xxxVALETUDOxxx]

I sent you a PM.

Never go auto, you might be able to get away with Sports mode though because it will immediately up your ISO to 1600 and use f2.8.

Which lens will you be using?

That PM was great, thanks yet again.

Using a Canon EFS 18-200mm

[Tokyudo]

That PM was great, thanks yet again.

Using a Canon EFS 18-200mm


It might be tough with that lens. It has a varying aperture. Is the venue well lit? You may have to compensate with a huge ISO and pray there isn't too much noise.

[xxxVALETUDOxxx]

It might be tough with that lens. It has a varying aperture. Is the venue well lit? You may have to compensate with a huge ISO and pray there isn't too much noise.

Thats all I've got to work with so when I get there I'm going to do a **** ton of practice shots. I'll post some up later tonight. Thanks again man, you really know what you are talking about. It's much appreciated.

[Budo]

Good luck, VT, looking forward to seeing the shots!

[Tokyudo]

So how did it go?

[xxxVALETUDOxxx]

It went well! Thanks for the advice, it payed off big time!

The other photographers there...I started chitchatting with them..."what shutter speed do you find works well in here?"....Them: "I've just got it on auto..."

So, I took about 1600 shots, I'd say I got about 100 good ones. Maybe 30 solid shots. I've been editing and editing all night and this morning. Want to have it ready for the promoters tomorrow morning. I'll post some up on here for sure!!!

Fights were great!

[xxxVALETUDOxxx]

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm117/AHHYEAH_album/mma514111616.jpg


Heres a sample...

[Tokyudo]

Lighting seems to be better than expected. Don't be shy about getting super close to the cage, the closer to a fence opening, the easier and further you can zoom/focus.

[xxxVALETUDOxxx]

Lighting seems to be better than expected. Don't be shy about getting super close to the cage, the closer to a fence opening, the easier and further you can zoom/focus.

It wasn't lit that bad, but I still struggled with getting a proper shutter speed and a well lit shot. Please...pick me apart with critique and how you feel I should have shot...that's the only way I get better.


Here's another...composition is bad though...also...seemed like a lot of the action always took place with one fighter's back towards me...but I've been to enough shows to know that's just how it goes sometimes.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm117/AHHYEAH_album/mma51411373.jpg

[Tokyudo]

Given the difficulties with a slow lens, I think you did pretty darn good.

That picture is under exposed but mainly due to the inability of your lens to let in light. Just wait until you get your hands on a fast f2.8 lens and you'll have a ton of fun.

When I shoot action shots, I tend to pre-focus and shoot on the spot where I think the fist/kick will land. That's just my personal preference. Some people like to concentrate on the face, which is also good depending on the type of action. For example, here's my pic of Arthit Hanchana throwing a kick.

http://i55.tinypic.com/j8l83r.jpg

Obviously he missed with the kick and the foreground fighter and his leg are out of focus but the emphasis is on his face; it really shows the emotion and how hard he is trying to land the kick. When you get more experience, you'll be able to capture moments like these to add to your portfolio.

Good stuff, keep up the good work and shoot as many events as you can. If possible, rent/borrow a fast lens. My recommendation: Canon 24-70mm L f2.8. It is the standard for MMA photographers.

[Lord Abortion]

I don't know **** about photography. Not a thing, so let's get that out of the way.

I do love it though. In the sense of MMA anyway. I think you got some good pics VT but even to me the place looks dark so I'd imagine that was tough.

Tok, the pic of the guy throwing the kick is cool as hell.

I noticed fight related stuff from the photos. Dude Tok shot has his eyes wide as he throws a strike. Which takes years to learn. Then the dudes in your shots VT are all throwing with their eyes shut. Big no-no there.

Good pics though guys, if that means anything coming from a dude who might cut their heads off if you gave him a camera.

Also, ring girls? :p

[xxxVALETUDOxxx]

^^^I love that shot. I'm going to have to look into that 2.8 lens.

Is there a program such as photoshop that will allow me to correct my over/underexposed photos?


http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm117/AHHYEAH_album/mma514111174.jpg

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm117/AHHYEAH_album/mma514111181.jpg
DOOOOH!!!!

This is an epic one...her man was in the cage...
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm117/AHHYEAH_album/mma514111188.jpg

[vegeta420z]

This is an epic one...her man was in the cage...
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm117/AHHYEAH_album/mma514111188.jpg

That girl is ****ing hot lets see some more of her preferably with less clothes on:D

[KINGofLA]

Was this at Fight Academy Vale? Savant love the kids. He does good work there. I think that guy with the fro (who quit on TUF) also trains there.

They had a couple other shows before and a few mixers, and they're always poppin. Finally someone brought a legit MMA gym to that area. Too bad I already wasted so much time and $$ and ****yotong.

[Tokyudo]

^^^I love that shot. I'm going to have to look into that 2.8 lens.

Is there a program such as photoshop that will allow me to correct my over/underexposed photos?



There are a lot of programs that can help but Photoshop is what I use.

Here's a weigh-in pic of Nate Diaz and Josh Neer from UFC Fight Night 15. I didn't have a really good lens with me at the time and the picture turned out underexposed and warm. With the help of Photoshop, I was able to salvage it.

http://i52.tinypic.com/2m2uyqo.jpg

[Tokyudo]

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm117/AHHYEAH_album/mma514111181.jpg
DOOOOH!!!!




I like this shot. If you had a faster lens, you would have captured that perfectly. Still, it's pretty good with the lens you had to work with. Be sure to zoom out a bit, you shot a little too close and cut off the top of the pic.

Think as if there's always going to be a frame around the fighters when you're shooting. Why? Because if you ever print the picture, by default, the edges get cut a bit. If you're already too close to the 'frame', the picture will get cut off. Also, using a frame will give the flexibility to crop later on.

[fireantx]

How many jobs have you had before this? I can't give any advice or anything because like LA I know nothing of photography, I like good pictures though! I've never even owned a camera to be honest. It's something I'd like to get into but I just don't have the time or money at the moment!

I like your pics though VT. My favourite of the ones you put up is the one of the girl covering her mouth. It's awesome. It leaves what's going on in the cage to the imagination. Also, the two black guys seem to be staring right into the camera!

If you keep doing shows you will get even better. Learning by experience is the best way in my opinion.

[fireantx]

Also, is that Cecil Peoples reffing the fight?!

[Tokyudo]

Touched up with PS:

http://i54.tinypic.com/vfibg3.jpg

[xxxVALETUDOxxx]

Nice...using warmer tones? Im still a PS newb...

[Tokyudo]

Sepia and B&W can bring out the best in some photos. They can also do a good job at hiding/enhancing small imperfections too like blurring.

[xxxVALETUDOxxx]

How many jobs have you had before this? I can't give any advice or anything because like LA I know nothing of photography, I like good pictures though! I've never even owned a camera to be honest. It's something I'd like to get into but I just don't have the time or money at the moment!

I like your pics though VT. My favourite of the ones you put up is the one of the girl covering her mouth. It's awesome. It leaves what's going on in the cage to the imagination. Also, the two black guys seem to be staring right into the camera!

If you keep doing shows you will get even better. Learning by experience is the best way in my opinion.

Thanks for the kind words. Yes, that is Cecil reffing. I talked with him before the match but he won't budge on that Machida decision. He made a good point though...

"Do you know the one person that I may actually care if he was upset with decision but never once said anything to me about it? Shogun. And we have spoken many times..."

[xxxVALETUDOxxx]

Sepia and B&W can bring out the best in some photos. They can also do a good job at hiding/enhancing small imperfections too like blurring.

Dude, I can't thank you enough. I appreciate these tips soooo much.

[Budo]

Sepia and B&W can bring out the best in some photos. They can also do a good job at hiding/enhancing small imperfections too like blurring.

I use sepia and B&W often. I just like the look, not necessarily to fix anything.

[Tokyudo]

Got any more pics to post?

[xxxVALETUDOxxx]

Yes. I've got decompression therapy today so I will be stuck in front of this laptop for a couple hours later...I'll post quite a few of them.

[xxxVALETUDOxxx]

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm117/AHHYEAH_album/mma51411794-1.jpg

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm117/AHHYEAH_album/mma51411782.jpg

[xxxVALETUDOxxx]

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm117/AHHYEAH_album/mma51411818.jpg

[xxxVALETUDOxxx]

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm117/AHHYEAH_album/mma514111199.jpg

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm117/AHHYEAH_album/mma51411821.jpg

[xxxVALETUDOxxx]

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm117/AHHYEAH_album/mma514111167.jpg

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm117/AHHYEAH_album/mma51411773.jpg

[Budo]

These pics look hard to shoot given the speed of movement coupled with the lighting situations.

Props!

[xxxVALETUDOxxx]

These pics look hard to shoot given the speed of movement coupled with the lighting situations.

Props!

They weren't easy...and sometimes they were downright frustrating...thank you very much. I have some of the most epic mma shots from that night...but the lighting just sucks arse on them! I had to find that happy medium where I got enough light in and I could still capture the movement without blurring. I'm going to have to get that f2.8 lens...

[Budo]

They weren't easy...and sometimes they were downright frustrating...thank you very much. I have some of the most epic mma shots from that night...but the lighting just sucks arse on them! I had to find that happy medium where I got enough light in and I could still capture the movement without blurring. I'm going to have to get that f2.8 lens...

Have you tried adding some sharpness and exposure with editing programs?

[xxxVALETUDOxxx]

Have you tried adding some sharpness and exposure with editing programs?

Not yet. Honestly it's because I'm not the fluent with them yet...I'm still just fresh out of a black and white photo 1 class.

[xxxVALETUDOxxx]

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm117/AHHYEAH_album/mma514111512.jpg

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm117/AHHYEAH_album/mma51411078.jpg

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm117/AHHYEAH_album/mma51411258.jpg

[xxxVALETUDOxxx]

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm117/AHHYEAH_album/mma51411398.jpg

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm117/AHHYEAH_album/mma51411399.jpg

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm117/AHHYEAH_album/mma51411895.jpg

[xxxVALETUDOxxx]

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm117/AHHYEAH_album/mma51411964.jpg

[Budo]

Not yet. Honestly it's because I'm not the fluent with them yet...I'm still just fresh out of a black and white photo 1 class.

Those 2 things are VERY easy to do and would make a huge difference!

Give it a shot, you might be very surprised at the results.

[Uncle Grandfather]

Was this a paid gig?