This photo was taken during the Diamond Head Classic men’s college basketball tournament at the University of Hawaii’s Stan Sheriff Center in December 2023. I was sitting side court just behind the baseline in the front row. I was careful to have the players on the bench in the background.
I like this location because 1) there is a good camera angle for dunks and rebounds; and 2) 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 that the action near the basket is blocked by the backs of players. Sometimes the baseline official gets in the way as well.
I was lucky with “Nelson for the Block.” There weren’t any other players in front of or behind the two subjects; the face of the shooter and the profile of the blocker were in plain view; and both players left the floor at the same time.
Do you think the image is acceptable in international exhibitions?
My camera is a Canon 7D Mark II (crop sensor), and the lens is a 24-105mm zoom lens at 40mm. The settings were f:4.0, ISO 3200, at 1/500 sec.
This round’s discussion is now closed! 4 comments posted
Dr Isaac Vaisman
Gerald, image at peak of action, and as you describe created from a difficult but selected vantage point. It is sharp. All four feet's are in the air and visible in the frame, and of course, the players on the bench in the background. Posted: 10/03/2024 22:10:06
Hans-Werner Griepentrog
Hi Gerald, another good basketball photo from you. Your photos of this sport show that you have some experience. I like that all four legs are in the air. You can guess that the ball is about to leave the hand of the number 10 to get to the basket and the defensive player with the 4 will try to prevent this. It is difficult to predict whether the photo will be successful in the PJ category. Posted: 10/04/2024 09:03:40
Bruce Benson
Gerald, a very good basketball image with great action. Your position behind the goal gave a great perspective. There are no other players in the frame to distract from either player. I notice that you were in the Who's Who PSA journal. Congratulations. Posted: 10/05/2024 00:12:18
Ronald Davis
Hi Gerald a great action photo captured at the right moment. On first glance though I thought the photo looked very scratchy, I downloaded it and looked at it 2 times size and it appears to have a lot of noise. Perhaps 3200 ISO was not enough perhaps 6400 or 12800 would have been better, then apply a noise removal program. With photos such as these in difficult lighting I believe a Full Frame camera is necessary. The Canon 7D Mk II is as you said crop sensor, I had same problems using Canon 70D and Canon 80D I submitted 2 night photography photos in group 1 this month and last month using Canon 5D Mk III. Posted: 10/07/2024 06:07:44
