[JpW]

Generally speaking is it ever okay to use flash during a sporting event, I'd like to hear more on this subject, due to a recent MX event I attended, where I was the only photographer not using a flash, my images are good, but could be better, But I always figured why risk with changing the outcome of an event or worse yet , hurt someone becuase I wanted to get a particular shot

Can anyone advise, please?

[Chimper]

Wow, this is a big one. I have used flash way back when I first started. (when I did not care or know better)

I really don't think I ever produced any better photos when I used flash. When I did use flash I really hated the red eye.Then I decided it was worth going out and paiding the extra for the big glass. and I never looked back!

The subject if its OK to use flash is really an on the moment decision. You have to look at your vantage point and keep the players in mine. You cant blow a flash in the eyes as the play is going on. I guess a MX race may be a little different because the lack of a ball. But I would still take care in using my flash.

Also keep in mine what you think when you see a photographer on the sidelines with a on camera flash during a game. I have to be fair and say that I think nube and how the hell do you really stop action at a flash sink of 200 speed?

[boomboom]

Sorry to disagree but flash is capable of stopping action even at relatively low shutter speeds. If you are within the flash's effective range the very brief burst of light will stop the action of the main subject, the longer shutter speed primarily effects the background. Think about the Sports Illustrated shots of a basketball player flying through the air, that was taken at flash synch speed but the strobes fired for such a short amount of time that it froze the action. I'm talking hotshoe flashes and studio strobes, pop-up flash isn't useful for much other than fill-flash.
As for disturbing the players it depends on the venue, the sport and your position relative to the players. For sports like golf where the sound of the shutter firing at the wrong time will get you ejected I would not use flash. For motorcross I would think you would be OK, though I would probably use it as the riders pass in front of you so you are not flashing in their eyes. I doubt it would effect them anyway unless they happened to be looking at you as you fired the flash, but I would err on the side of caution. Of course the other factor is if your flash is powerful enough to reach the riders, light falls of quickly. Hope some of the above helped.

[nmbubblehead]

Great topic... I am always concerned about interferring with a sporting event when I am taking pictures. I was really aware of it when I was shooting at a high school rodeo. Mainly I was concerned about how the animals would react to a flash.

[Chimper]

Ok, I'm going to still disagree with Boomboom on the flash thing. My argument would be a slow flash sink will stop the action in part of the photo , But you will get ghosting and or blur from the motion that the slower speed will give you. Dont you think? always say I rather have grain then have Blur (In most cases)

If you notice in the past the basketball photographers used hasselblad cameras. The reason for that was not only the larger film but the 500 flash sink to work with the strobes in the gym. When I shot basketball in Madison s garden The light was good enough without a flash for iso 800 at 2.8 500 speed so I was happy the flash at that point would of gave me better DOF for like maybe a setting of f4 and I would of had to shoot at my flash sink of 200 and not all the action would be stopped all the time.

[boomboom]

I wasn't trying to start a flame, you are correct that you can get ghosting while using flash, but depending on the ambient lighting you can also get a nice crisp image of action at flash synch speed. The variable at play here is the ambient light level. If you have enough strobe power the ambient light contributes very little to the finished image (primarily to the background) which is how super-high-speed photography is done; you can't get a shutter to operate fast enough to stop the motion of a bullet, but you can get an incredibly brief burst of flash in a dark environment that will.
If the ambient light contributes significantly to the overall exposure (relative to the flash) you will get ghost trails before/after a relatively crisp subject (depending on front or rear curtain synch). What controls the amount of contribution made by ambient light? Shutterspeed and the power of the flash - faster shutterspeeds let less ambient light in, more powerful flashes overpower the ambient light.
I would think in a sport like motorcross that you could use a good hotshoe flash at synch speed to capture a crisp subject within about 20-30 ft or so (though I confess I have not tried it). For court sports (basketball, etc.) you need powerful studio strobes as you cannot get close enough for a hotshoe mounted flash to be effective, plus any players in the background would be ghosted or blurred as light falls off rapidly with distance. The best answer (IMO) is to try it and see how it works for you, if the result is no good then that's your answer.

[veloshooter]

It is generally ok to use flash for most sport photography, particularly outdoors. A hot shoe flash is not bright enough to distract a concentrated athlete in daylight(of course I would be careful not to blast it directly in someones face at close range). I use flash a lot when shooting cycling, especially downhill with no issues. It is pretty standard. I would think the same is true for moto cross. I don't know for sure but I would be cautious in a sport like golf which is camera sensitive already. If you are unsure, I would check with other photog's at the event. when in doubt, leave it out or off.

BoomBoom is correct that SI photographers use huge studio flashes in the ceiling of auditoriums to stop action. I have seen hot shoe flashes used on a smaller scale with decent results. More info on this can be found on strobist.com

Now the question is if you should use flash. Although flash can be used to stop action, saturate colors and open up shadows, don't let it become a crutch. It can also flatten and create that flashed look in every shot. Always keep the available light in mind when determining whether to use flash or not. If the light is nice, you can produce much prettier shots with natural light.

This post has been edited by veloshooter: 01 September 2009 - 09:28 AM

[Chimper]

This is always a great type of discussion. Over the years I have slowly stopped using flash due to the fact I never had a way to punch enough light into a gym to make a photo look like its natural. even outdoors it never seems to work as good as I like

[barmstrong]

Use of flash at sporting events in my area has been a NO-NO for years. Even in the dark venues for dance and pagents flash is not allowed. This is the main reason I went with Canon cameras and lenses when I started shooting events. At the time Nikon was just not as good at high (800 & over) ISO as were the Canon cameras. Things do change however and the Nikons are much better now.

I do use flash quite a lot during the day for other types of photography and have found that paying attention to the histograms will help keep your flash exposures under control.

[JpW]

Well after many hours of thought, I ventured into using a flash during a motocross event this weekend, I first discussed my plans on the use of a flash during the event with the staff of North Forty Cycle Park here in Texas, and they agreed that with proper use, I would be allowed to use a flash during their event. Here are a few images I shot with a flash.

1. http://www.sportsphotopark.com/photos/EOS_5D-8387.jpg

2. http://www.sportsphotopark.com/photos/EOS_5D-8403.jpg

3. http://www.sportsphotopark.com/photos/EOS_5D-8424.jpg

4. http://www.sportsphotopark.com/photos/EOS_5D-8433.jpg

5. http://www.sportsphotopark.com/photos/EOS_5D-8556.jpg

6. http://www.sportsphotopark.com/photos/EOS_5D-8704.jpg

[Chimper]

the first one is very cool but off color due to the underexposure. Number 5 is the best of the group. I like the action and the light looks the best. Flash is always a little uneasy at first then everyone gets use to it as the event goes on.

[DRGSin]

I agree with all that has been said so far. Flash def has a place in sports. Ive shot HS football, basketball and wrestling, Indoor SX and outdoor MX as well. The falacy is that you attach a flash to the hotshoe, set to iTTL metering and you shoot-I learned the hard way that a flash can produce more problems than it can correct if used improperly. Ive bounced flash off walls and ceilings for basketball with good results-no shadows, or red eye. Ive used flash during the midday sun at outdoor MX races. JPW-next time youre shooting MX outdoors in the daylight, pop on a flash and use it as fill. That will mean using it on Manual and adjusting it accordingly. Try it for a few shots and youll see some killer results. Youll see the riders' eyes, the gear and bike colors will pop, and youll be able showcase the dark nooks and crannies of the engine. adds a whole new dimension-if done right.

[jaybird67k]

I totally agree that the flash will make the colors pop on MX subjects. Don't worry about the flash interferring with the racers, it doesn't, I have raced for sometime and flashes are hardly noticable to the riders.


Jason

[Chimper]

jaybird67k, on 31 December 2009 - 10:15 AM, said:

I totally agree that the flash will make the colors pop on MX subjects. Don't worry about the flash interferring with the racers, it doesn't, I have raced for sometime and flashes are hardly noticable to the riders.


Jason

I always wondered if it was a problem to the race or not! I always just figured it hindered the riders. But if you ever notice the losers or the race always says it was the flashes! :D