Gym Lighting for basketball

Section 9, Class D Boys Basketball • 7 Mar 2011 a photo by John Meore on Flickr.

Section 9, Class D Boys Basketball • 7 Mar 2011
The Statesman of John A. Coleman Catholic v the Wildcats of Livingston Manor • SUNY New Paltz

You can't say enough about proper lighting in a gymnasium. I shot a double header last night for the Class D (Small School) Section 9 championship at the State University of New York' s New Paltz campus.

I have to give lighting credit and thanks to Chet Gordon, Staff Photographer at the Times Herald-Record for setting up, and leaving the strobes set-up all week end. I just showed up, plugged in the lights, fired a few test shots and was ready to go! I believe 4 photographers took part in covering the games this weekend and all the images looked great, why... the lighting.

Being able to shoot at 400 ISO and get peak action shots that are crisp and sharp is a great feeling as a sports photographer. This 'task' of setting up the lights for HS basketball might seem like overkill, but it makes a world of difference. Even if they only use one shot in the paper. I know that shot is going to be sharp as a tack and perfectly exposed.

The gym was lit with 4 Dyna-Lite strobes, one in each corner of the gym, mounted high pointing at the baskets, set at about 3/4 power fired with PocketWizards. For this to work, the strobes have to be 3, or more, stops above ambient, but the strobes should not be at full power.

Tonight, one more game in the Section 1 - 9 Boys Regional Semi-Final match-up at the Westchester County Center in White Plains. John S. Burke Catholic v. Albertus Magnus, should be a good one!

John

January 27, 2011 • Snow and car problems

Today we woke up to another 8 - 12 inches of snow, school delays and moved mid-term exams.

I went out early to clear the driveway and the cars. Went to start my car and 'thump' the belt popped off... again! Not a good feeling when you rely on the car to get you from job to job, sometimes late at night, 60 - 75 miles away from home.

This is a part you are normally not supposed to see!

I now have to limp my car down to the service station, with out having it over heat, and with out power steering, and have a new belt out on. Last time I had to speed up to 50, put it in neutral and coast for a while, put it in drive, speed up to 50, neutral, coast... repeat until I reached the service station! I need my car to be reliable and as of right now it has a rattle that is driving me nuts... I think it's the motor mount that is failing. Great, another thing I have to have replaced. I may be able to do this one myself.

Friday evening I have a basketball game to shoot in Minisink, then I have to re-set my equipment in the same gym, for a cheerleading competition the next day. 9 hours of very loud music and kids being tossed around in the air.

City of Newburgh votes on resolution 11-2011 • 10 January 2011

Assignment: photograph the City Council of Newburgh voting on a resolution (#11-2011) which is to enter into a combined bargaining agreement with Local 589 of the International Assoc. of Fire Fighters, (which is the local that covers the City of Newburgh Fire Fighters). Not a super exciting assignment, but one which poses some challenges. The room is large and not lit very well. I use a combination of on-camera strobe and available light. Two cameras and a variety of lenses.

The agreement is a multi year contract with issues that were highly contested at this meeting. Overtime, No Lay-offs, work schedules and health care are some of the issues. Many residents took the microphone, some for and some against a Lieutenant with the Fire Department took the microphone to give the viewpoint from the fireman, how they came up with the plan and why it works for the fireman and the city. With Fire Fighters lining the room, the Council voted to pass the resolution but not before the residents were given a small show when Councilwomen Bell and Mayor Valentine 'discussed' the resolution and the factors leading up to the vote.