Gerald Emmerich Jr, HonFPSA, GMPSA/P  


23 Dunks Over 13 by Gerald Emmerich Jr, HonFPSA, GMPSA/P

September 2020 - 23 Dunks Over 13

September 2020 - Gerald Emmerich Jr, HonFPSA, GMPSA/P

Original

About the Image(s)

Title: 23 Dunks Over 13

This photo was taken during the Diamond Head Classic men’s college basketball tournament at the University of Hawaii’s Stan Sheriff Center a few years ago. I was sitting sidecourt just behind the baseline in about Row 10. I was careful to have the players on the bench in the background. I have included the original uncropped image and a tighter cropped image, “23 Dunks Over 13.”

I like this location because 1) the baseline referee is not usually between the camera and the basket; 2) there is a good camera angle for dunks and rebounds; and 3) when a player drives the baseline, he is facing the camera about 50 percent of the time. The big disadvantage shooting from this location is often there are just too many defenders between the camera and the basket, so I end up with lots of “throw-aways.”

Which image do you like better “ the original uncropped image or the tighter crop?

My camera is a Canon 5D Mark II (full frame sensor), and the lens is a fixed focal length 85mm lens. The settings were f:2.2, ISO 1000, at 1/320 sec.


This round’s discussion is now closed!
7 comments posted




Hans-Werner Griepentrog   Hans-Werner Griepentrog
Hi Gerald, the tighter cropped image is the better photo for me. In the original, the player in blue on the left side of the picture is disturbing. In the cropped image the scene is concentrated on the essential. The only thing that is disturbing here is the noise of the sensor at 1000 ISO of the MK II, which is hardly visible in the original.   Posted: 09/01/2020 02:02:06



Hans-Werner Griepentrog   Hans-Werner Griepentrog
Congratulations on your photo, 2 Hands stretch for the Ball at the Exhibition infinity 2020 in Bosnia and Herzegovina in the sports section, with which you won a MOL Gold Medal.   Posted: 09/01/2020 02:42:02



Bruce Benson   Bruce Benson
Hi Gerald, I am with Hans on the cropped version. The crop emphasizes the intensity of the image a lot. You can really see the faces which makes the image for me. The noise is more visible in the cropped version but not enough to outway the positives . Your position keeps the backboard from interfering with their faces and is a good idea. Bruce   Posted: 09/02/2020 20:40:30



 
Hello Gerald, I concur with both Hans and Bruce, the cropped image is far better. It shows the action with more 'grunt.'

It does show a bit more grain but given the lighting, I'm not surprised with the result.

Have to say though that the original is good as well!   Posted: 09/07/2020 13:53:35



 
The cropped version is definitely the one I prefer. I did note the noise, but it kind of reminds me of a color picture in a newspaper.

I like that you can see the movement of the net as the player dunks the ball.   Posted: 09/07/2020 20:08:02



Stephen Levitas   Stephen Levitas
(Group 32)
You caught quite a peak moment in this shot.
I am not conversant in sports photography, so this is a question, not a suggestion. I really like the "air" that the players get in the original shot. Why or why not will this narrow crop work?   Posted: 09/14/2020 23:34:19
Comment Image
Gerald Emmerich Jr   Gerald Emmerich Jr
Thanks for your "guest" comment on my image. I like both of the images I posted on this round -- the overall view and the "closer-up, cropped" view. I chose the cropped view as my main image because I thought it would have better visual impact in PJ international exhibitions. The facial expressions are good and the peak of action (four feet off the ground) is clearly implied.
As an experienced exhibitor, I generally "feel" that vertical images are at a competitive disadvantage because the space on the screen is dramatically smaller than horizontal format images, especially with most internationals having 1920 horizontal x 1080 vertical pixel maximums.
I like your suggested crop, which eliminates the distracting players on the left and explicitly shows the "air." And, despite the additional narrower "verticality," I think the action would warrant acceptance in PJ internationals.
I can report now that I have entered the cropped version in two international circuits with a total of nine judgings. The image was accepted 8 times, including 1 HM (no medals), so obviously I am quite pleased with those results. As I will use this image in my PJ Diamond 1 application, this image is "retired" for star ratings credit after six acceptances.   Posted: 09/25/2020 07:26:47