Shooting Judo tips please

Raptor Mike

Raptor Mike

Suspended / Banned
Messages
2,812
Name
Mike
Edit My Images
Yes
Some of the guys from my club are entering a compition in Bristol on Sunday and I'm going with them for support and to photograph them. I haven't been to a compition for about 20 years.

I think I've got the idea, fast shutter, up ISO if needed but any f stop recommendations please. I always worry about going to wide incase I dont get the whole subject in focus. Also what about flash? Is it a big no no at events like this.

I don't get to practive taking the pics at my club because if I'm there I'm training.

Thanks, Mike
 
Couple of mine here - you can see the exif info:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/cheese_scientist/13820266384/in/photostream/


The main problem I had was getting light on people's faces. They are often looking down and it reflected red light from the mat. According to a fellow forum member, blue mats are best.
Another thing to think about is the background - sometimes it can make or break these shots.
I would say flash is a no no, particularly at a competition.
 
Cheese Scientist said:
Couple of mine here - you can see the exif info:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/cheese_scientist/13820266384/in/photostream/


The main problem I had was getting light on people's faces. They are often looking down and it reflected red light from the mat. According to a fellow forum member, blue mats are best.
Another thing to think about is the background - sometimes it can make or break these shots.
I would say flash is a no no, particularly at a competition.
Click to expand...
Thanks for that. Will take a look at your shots. Good points about background and mats... hadn't though of that.
 
If you are using auto exposure modes dial-in some positive exposure compensation and try different metering modes, especially spot. If not use full manual exposure - fine tune your settings and timings on unimportant fights before your club members fight. Back button focus is useful.
Beg steal or borrow a badge so that you can sit next to the mat.

http://andrewmcleanbrown.photoshelter.com/gallery/TPIF2013/G000067AAH95ViFU/

https://plus.google.com/photos/+AndrewMcLeanBrown-Rosbif/albums?banner=pwa
 
sixfootandstocky said:
If you are using auto exposure modes dial-in some positive exposure compensation and try different metering modes, especially spot. If not use full manual exposure - fine tune your settings and timings on unimportant fights before your club members fight. Back button focus is useful.
Beg steal or borrow a badge so that you can sit next to the mat.

http://andrewmcleanbrown.photoshelter.com/gallery/TPIF2013/G000067AAH95ViFU/

https://plus.google.com/photos/ AndrewMcLeanBrown-Rosbif/albums?banner=pwa
Click to expand...
Hi Andy

I particularly like this one of yours - looks like a pretty long lens? What settings were you using?
http://andrewmcleanbrown.photoshelter.com/gallery-image/TPIF2013/G000067AAH95ViFU/I0000YB7hk5XCnIc
 
Last edited:
I've shot MMA, kickboxing and no-gi ju-jitsu and grappling competitions in sports halls and larger places too, getting as close to the mat/ring/cage is a way to stack the odds in your favour. Most of the tournaments I've been to I've been lucky enough to get right up to the mats and have been able to shoot off my 50mm 1.8 on a d300s. Shooting the 1.8 with it wide open allows me to get enough light in to keep the ISO down and the shutter speed up so full frame is not always a necessity. The crop sensor also gives me the added advantage of making my 50mm more like an 80mm (1.6x crop sensor)...
 
sixfootandstocky said:
View attachment 13355 View attachment 13357

70-200 on a D3s

As you can see from the un-cropped frame, I was at the edge of the mat. I have used a 1.4 converter in the past and really annoyed people this year with a 400 2.8

400 2.8 D3s 1/250 F4 iso 1250

View attachment 13358

Shoot to fill the frame but be prepared to crop images.
Click to expand...

Thanks for all your advice. Unfortunately I didnt see these before going, my fault, however will definitely be shooting more so will keep looking at this advice, so you havent wasted your time folks ;) . I love your uchi-marta photos.

I had two problems.
Light I had to use silly ISOs to get the shutter speeds so have a lot of grainy pics.
Focal length: My 17-50 was normally not long enough, my 55-250 was sometimes too long - I used the 55-250 and moved back

I really enjoyed it and as a judoka I know what to look for. Shame I can 't enter myself at the moment. I'll try and get some up soon.

Thanks again, really appreciated. :D
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top