Flint Rugby

I found out recently that Flint has a rugby team.  Turns out someone in the subdivision is related to the team, and had a sign in their front yard.  A few quick searches and I found out all the pertinent information.  The game yesterday was preceded by the the delivery of the D6 - perfect timing.

Now I know nothing about rugby.  So the night before the match I was cruising YouTube to see what the game was all about.  After watching a few game highlights video, I drifted to the most egregious red card activities.  Don't judge me.

For more photos of this outing: Flickr Album

Next match locally be in a few weeks.  May have to get a heavier jacket by then.

Why I shoot RAW - Again

Why I shoot RAW  - Again.

First, the disclaimers.

I generally set up my camera for the day to create both RAW and JPG images.  My reasoning is with JPGs, through the Snapbridge App I can download a file to my phone.  I can save it for later or share it.  That is the only reason.  I have the JPG setting for in camera processing to Vivid or Landscape.  That's it.  Nothing special after that.  I'm sure if I was living in JPG land, I could tweak the settings a bit more.  But I don't live in JPG land.

Truth is, most of the JPGs come out pretty well.  Nikon, as one would expect, does a nice job.  Especially if you give it something to work with.

But sometimes in more difficult environments - not so much.  And the reality is I'm not into quantity.  If I shoot 1,200 shots at an air show, I'm looking for the 10-20 best shots.  Most outings, I'm looking for 5 to 10 good shots.

And working with RAW files fits that mold.

The past two weekends, I've been enjoying Friday Night Lights football at the local high school.  And enjoyed every minute of it.  Last weekend, the sky was lightly overcast providing a lot of good light.  Last night was clear and a million.  (Very clear)  Harsh shadows.  The stadium is basically north-south.  With the stands on the west side.  When the sun is setting, the shadow comes across the field toward the aluminum seats.  Perfect setting for HDR - except for that tricky action-motion thing.

This is the story:  120 mm, 1/1,000 sec, f/5, ISO 360.

Metering is center weighted.  I use Auto ISO, so metering is taken into account.

The original RAW image:

Those stands are bright.  Let's see what the Nikon in camera processing does.

If there is improvement, I don't see it.

The original histogram:

Lot's of darks, but I'm guessing the camera won't adjust anything because of the lights blocking much movement.  JPGs are not designed to be manipulated.  You can, but with each subsequent save, there is data lost.  RAW files are designed to be manipulated.

The trick, for me anyway, is to manipulate the curves.  For aircraft photos, this is the tool for filling in shadows.  In the case of this shot - need more than filling in.  But this is what the curves will do.

Nix the highlights.  Pump the Darks.

The adjusted histogram:

I still have the highlights on the right, but I've evened out the darks.  You could make an argument that I could lighten the darks even more, which is true.  But I'm claiming artistic license here.  It's still in the shadows.  And I want to show the difference.

The adjusted shot:

Much improved.  For me anyway.  Doesn't look photoshopped.

Could you make such a drastic change with a JPG.  Maybe.  I would want to stake a one time only shot on it.  Again, RAW files are designed and meant to be manipulated.

And that is why I continue to shoot and 'develop' RAW files.  I can depend on the shot.  Unless I miss it.  Ha.

Success Story

It is a small step, but I will take it.  

I have a few success stories, in that someone will ask if a photo of mine is for sale of if they can use it.  Note to people going forward to ask - for personal use only.  Anyway, the biggest success story was a local author wanting to use a photo for one of his book covers.
Belle Isle Fishing Pier

The next batch of successes comes from the UHH (Ugly Hedgehog) photography forum.  Like most forums, if there are comments they are nice and politically correct.  But if members take the time to leave a comment, or even a smiley, that is a feel good moment.  On one photograph, the user said they were going to put it on their coffee mug.  No offense taken.

As to publishing on the web, and the threat of theft, it is a double edged dilemma.  I want to get my name out there - but not as an easy mark.  I risk it.  Investment to the journey.

A few days ago, another UHHer asked if they could use one of my photos for personal use.  If someone takes the time to ask, they are respectful of the process.  Whatever I can do to help - I'm at their disposal.  The photo they were interested in:  

Heritage Flight - P-51 and F-16

OK - I'll say it - that is a darn fine shot.  Prop blur - no mistake.  And no sun spots on the canopies.  And just enough blue sky to make it interesting.

But that fact someone else likes it enough to reach out takes the ego to another level.  And makes it all worthwhile.

And when someone shares what their vision was - just friggin' awesome.

For clarity - this is not my photo and this is not my photo of the cat.  (Which looks to be a great photo as well.)

Happy to be on someone's wall.

It's going to be a good day.

Friday Night Lights

And now for something completely different.....

Every now and then I get to start a new category.  Today is one of those days.  Not sure if it will stick, but the 2022 Airshow season for me is pretty much over.  Need to do something - and this is what we call in the corporate world a 'stretch'.

A few weeks ago, I was out to a lacrosse tournament.  Haven't seen a game in years.  It was a lot of fun.  Lot's of good action.  And in the middle of the day - warm.  I never figure these things out for myself - I get invited.  Or in this case - dared.  And good for photography friends who pull me out of a rut.

And the same 'friend' dared me again to stretch, this time with Friday night lights.  As with most of my photography friends, he's a Canon guy.  I think he really wants to see if I could handle a Nikon outside of perfect airshow conditions.

And good for him, I wanted to see what the Nikon would do as well.  And can I handle the Friday Night Lights.

As with most times I try something new, if you shoot enough shots, something is bound to work right.  And Friday night I shot 350+ shots.  And a few turned out OK.  A few.

I use the D850/70-200 f/2.8 for the evening.  It did OK.  The shots that didn't require much cropping were pretty much good right out of the camera.  I shot manual with Auto ISO, and the highest was 11,400.  And for the most point, the shots were usable.  That being said, I hit the shot buffer a few times at 7 fps.  That was a first.  Yes, shots were missed.  I dialed it back to 5 fps which somewhat cured the issue.  Lessons learned.

DHS Stands

NIKON D850 Ver.1.20 /Nikkor 70.0-200.0 mm f/2.8

70 mm, 1/1,000 sec, f/4.5, ISO 800 (Auto)

EV 0, MANUAL Mode, Size FX

To me this is one of the more interesting shots of the night.  Pure football.  Should have been higher than 1/500 sec.  lesson learned.

DHS Running Back

NIKON D850 Ver.1.20 /Nikkor 70.0-200.0 mm f/2.8

200 mm, 1/500 sec, f/4.5, ISO 900 (Auto)

EV 0, MANUAL Mode, Size FX

For the most part, I focused on the QB.  Most of the action is there, right?  Rookie stuff.  Coming from the defensive side.  I like the shots where you can also see the ball in flight.

DHS Pass

NIKON D850 Ver.1.20 /Nikkor 70.0-200.0 mm f/2.8

200 mm, 1/500 sec, f/4.5, ISO 1000 (Auto)

EV 0, MANUAL Mode, Size FX

The opposition runner.  He is pretty good.

Detroit Central Catholic Runner

NIKON D850 Ver.1.20 /Nikkor 70.0-200.0 mm f/2.8

135 mm, 1/500 sec, f/4.5, ISO 800 (Auto)

EV 0, MANUAL Mode, Size FX

Will post a few more shots later.

But for end of the experience thoughts.  I chose the D850 for the full sensor and low light exceptional ISO traits.  But it is advertised as a portrait camera - and fast action is limited.  That is truth in advertising.  Next time, the D500 gets a try.  If I do that, I'll have to put the 70-400 on the front end.  There won't be as much room to crop.  It will be more than enough lens.  The noise could be more prevalent.  The best shots for focus were 1/800 to 1/1000 second.  I could use the 1/500 shots - but I wouldn't want to count on them.  And after all, this is a learning experience.