Mike Cheliak: Photography, Fitness, Nutrition and Life

Don’t just shoot photos…tell a story!

Shooting a sporting event is very exciting.  Whether you are a professional or just a proud parent; it is hard not to get caught up in the action.  Knowing this, you have to sometimes take a step back and look at a more complete picture of what you are doing.  You are telling a story.  The story is a tale of what happened on that day, that time and at that event.

Cheering for Uncle John!

To tell a complete story you are going to need more that just shots of what happened during play.  Shots like these are sometimes referred to as “safeties”.  For most pro sports shooters, a safety shot is something that is the first thing they do at an event.  A safety is a shot or shots that constitute enough coverage to complete their assignment for the media outlet they are shooting for.  Although this is something mostly practiced by professionals, the same can also apply if you are taking shots of your son or daughter’s team in action.

A safety can include shots of the crowd, close-up face shots, cheerleaders, coaches and more.  Safeties also focus on light action or slow time shots.  Things like this include shots of players waiting for a face-off in hockey, setting for a jump-ball in basketball, prior to the start of a race, athletes listening to instructions from the coach or official and the list goes on.  Some of the greatest shots in sports photography have come from a safety.  Often we find a hidden emotion in a close-up shot, the excitement in the crowd from a game winning shot or that sad looking cheerleader after the team lost in the final second.

Emotion sells almost as much as that amazing flat out catch in baseball or the almost unreal contortion of a gymnast in routine.  Never sell short the value of a good non-action shot.

Know your sport and follow the flow of the game.  In times where the action is at a lull, take some shots as mentioned.  Look around, be curious and remember that YOU are the one telling the story.  If you come back from your son or daughter’s soccer game with 120 shots of Johnny or Susie kicking the ball, you will lose your audience very quickly.  If on the other hand you make a slide show for your 47 inch HD TV and play 120 photos of the game as it unfolded with shots of parents cheering, the officials explaining things to the kids, the coach giving instruction, the kids on the sideline going nuts after a goal or any other shot that helps tell the story…you will look like a genius!

Just remember to keep an open mind, a keen eye and study your sport to know how to follow and how to ensure you get your shots.

Buying a DSLR Camera

Most people will be surprised and some will also disagree with me but most (and I mean most consumer level digital SLR’s) are created for the most part equal.  Some have more megapixels, some a faster frame rate, some give you less noise when shooting at high ISO and some are just way more expensive.  You as the consumer have to balance your budget, justify expenses and understand that unless your equipment is paying for itself, this is just a hobby.  Your choice of lens is as critical if not more critical than your camera purchase.

The two main players in the digital SLR field are Nikon and Canon.  Each of these manufacturers are renowned for their high quality products, commitment to excellent consumer support and ability to offer products that can perform admirably at just about any price and budget.  There are other players such as Pentax, Sony, Olympus and more but I choose to stick with the two most prominent as they will offer more selection down the road to your ever growing collection of equipment.

Nikon offers the D series of cameras.   They have three categories of digital cameras.  Essential DSLR (D40, D60), Advanced DSLR (D80, D200, D300, D90) and Professional DSLR (D2XS, D3 and D700) ranging from about $400 – $5000+.  Canon as well offers a complete line of cameras ranging in price from about $500 – $8000+.  The entry level Rebel is one of their most popular cameras.  The price and performance are very good.  The EOS-1DS MKIII is pretty much the top of the food chain in digital SLR cameras.  All of these cameras all have the ability to capture stop action photography.  It’s the advancement in technology, camera construction and overall durability and quality that make the difference from lower end to high end.  While those of you who don’t have a DSLR camera yet may be somewhat intimidated by the fact that JUST the camera costs more than your Point and shoot and the camera has no lens yet.  Remember that it’s all about the extensible ability of the camera.  You need to have FULL control of your settings to shoot sports with any amount of success and consistency.  If you are looking at upgrading to a DSLR or want to upgrade your current DSLR to something higher end, it is always best to do your budget first and to decide the most important features you need.

The choices while seemingly endless can be based on two things.  What you NEED and what you can AFFORD.  If we all had buckets of money, we would go out and buy the best of everything regardless of price or need.  In the real world, most of us balance ourselves by looking at what we REALLY need and then apply our budget to it.  There are always gives and takes.  The following is a list of features and how they are important to shooting sports.

1. Megapixels
In the last couple years, the average size of a camera’s Megapixel has drastically increased.  From the standard 6.1 we now have cameras ranging all the way to nearly 22 megapixels and most are at least 10.  While the average camera user is really impressed by the amount of Megapixels a camera has, they really aren’t that critical.  How many times do you intend on making a poster or billboard sized print of your subject?  Every entry level DSLR that is currently sold will make photos EASILY up to 12 x 18 and even larger without any problem whatsoever.

2. ISO Range
Most cameras range from 50 or 100 ISO up to around 1600.  For most users this range is more than adequate.  ISO allows you to capture photos at a higher shutter rate in lower light.  It effectively increases the camera’s sensor to be more sensitive to light thus giving you the flexibility to maintain a higher shutter speed.  Higher ISO settings on most consumer cameras will start creating a “grainy” effect on your photos.  This is called noise. On the advanced professional DSLR cameras, new technology has allowed them to create ISO settings up to 25,600 with only marginal noise!  It is amazing what $6000 will buy you these days!

3. FPS and Shutter response time
The number of Frames per second and the quickness that your camera will respond to a depressed shutter release are very important but again, not so much that you need to be concerned.  An entry level DSLR will likely perform up to 3 FPS which is likely all you are going to need.  My cameras will perform up to 11FPS but I can tell you that I have NEVER used that power in all my years of shooting.  The one thing it does offer you is the comfort of knowing that you will have the quickness when it is needed.  Equally as important is your latent response time.  This is the amount of time it takes for your shutter to respond when you have pushed the release button.  The quicker the response, the better chance you have of getting the shot.  For most beginners and aspiring amateurs, you will not have many concerns with any of the entry level cameras as you likely won’t be shooting any NASCAR or Sprint Aerobatics.  Learning your sports and being able to follow the action will make you that much better anyway!

4. Other Features
Body construction, image processor, ergonomic design and overall feel of the camera are very important aspects.  How your camera handles and feels is critical as you may be holding it for extended periods of time.  Optional vertical grips are available on most consumer DSLR’s.  The grip allows you to load an extra battery and will give you the flexibility to shoot vertical orientation (most sports photos are done this way) with a second button located on the right side of the grip.  Most professional level DSLR’s have an integrated grip with this button.  The image processor is less of a concern on most entry level cameras as your frame rate will never exceed the capacity of the camera buffer.  On higher level cameras with larger image size, the processor ensures a quick read to right time so that the camera can continue to take photos in large batches.  The newest Canon boasts 110 continuous frames at 10 FPS!

IN SHORT
While this is not a complete or comprehensive buying guide, it is more than enough information to get you on the path to making well educated decisions about your camera needs.  It is also a good guideline to begin your understanding of some of the terminology that will be important as you get further into photography.  You need to be comfortable with your camera and familiar with its abilities.  A good photographer will always make the absolute most with what they have.

Sports Photography

SHOOTING SPORTS

Women's Field Lacrosse

Everyone at some point has seen “that shot” that seems to relive the moment, capture a look or tell the story.  The fact is, shots like that happen all the time, it’s catching them with your camera that is the hard part.  The pure sports shooter lives for the rush of watching every move being made just to get “that shot”.  While that may seem a bit extreme for some, most people who have tried their hand at catching the action, have gotten caught up in that same frenzy.  For most, just watching their kids play sports and being able to capture the odd good shot is more than enough gratification.  For some, it becomes a challenge that brings new excitement to watching their kids play.  If you spent good money on a digital SLR and got good sales advice, you should have a camera that when used properly can get “that shot” more often than not.  Most “point and shoot” cameras offer the consumer very little control over capturing moments like that which is why most of the Commando Guide series is intended for Digital SLR users.  That doesn’t mean that you can’t use the guide to become a better photographer, it only means that you will be limited by the equipment you have.

HOW IS SHOOTING SPORTS DIFFERENT?
Aside from the obvious “action” element to shooting sports, there are hundreds of dynamics involved in capturing good quality sports action photos.  Lighting, positioning, camera settings (numerous), crowd interference, watching out for flying balls and pucks, watching out for athletes moving VERY FAST, not interfering in game play…and the list goes on!

Shooting sports is like the “wild child” of photography.  Most professional sports shooters possess a true love of sports and do what they do because it allows them to witness unbelievable feats of physical skill while making a living.  For the average “Sports Mom or Dad” it is more about capturing moments in your child’s growth.  Sports have a way of bringing out huge emotional swings, happiness, excitement, discouragement, fear, love, anger and more.  While we don’t always “promote” certain emotions, kids will display them simply because they are in the growth mode.  As spectators, we are encouraged to be encouraging but when you are capturing the moment, sometimes, the best photo is the one nobody else is taking.  The little girl who hit into a double play to end the game, or the boy watching as his teammate scored the winning goal.  You will learn to look for and become almost second sighted as you get more exposure to shooting games and athletics.

While the satisfaction of taking a really nice portrait photo can be very fulfilling, telling a story with an action shot can be just as magical.  When you compose (and you will compose) your action photos, you can do so in numerous ways.  Each photo if taken by a different photographer will look infinitely different.  The angle, background, camera settings, the orientation (landscape – wide or portrait – tall) and many other factors all play a key role in composition.  You should always experiment with different dynamics during a shoot.  Keeping it fresh is the key to getting numerous shots that are equally as good but all different.

Good Glass = Good Photos

A little athlete running his heart out!

I am VERY opinionated about camera lenses (glass).  I along with a lot of other professionals are firm believers in the thought that the lens is as important if not more so than the camera.  If you have the best DSLR camera money can buy, and put an aftermarket budget lens on it, I can guarantee that the quality of the photo will only be as good as the lens allows.  If you have an entry level DSLR and put a high end name brand lens on it, the photos you take will be better than the expensive camera with the cheap lens.  The basis is this.  What your camera sees is what the lens shows it.  If the lens has poorer quality optics, then the camera will see poorer quality images to capture.  It is that simple.

I have coached numerous people when buying a camera and have convinced all of them to cut back a bit on the camera and get a better lens or to forgo getting a newer camera and spend the money on upgrading their lens.  A lens if properly cared for will last decades.  You can use it on any camera that it is designed for (Canon for Canon, Nikon for Nikon…) for as long as you have the lens.  If you have the lens and then upgrade your camera later on, you still have the lens to use with the new camera.

Without getting into the technical end of refraction, dispersion or distortion it is easy to understand one thing.  Higher quality optics equals better photos.  The lenses all have f/stop ratings.  Some have fixed f/stops (most at 2.8) and some zoom lenses have a floating f/stop which means that the f/stop increases and decreases as the zoom changes.  The f/stop is important especially in sports shooting.  The main reason is that when a lens has a lower f/stop, you can shoot in lower light and maintain a higher shutter speed.  The other reason is depth of field.  When you maintain a lower f/stop, your background will blur.  This is desirable in sports photography.   Another option which is becoming more readily available is the VR (vibration reduction) or IS (Image Stabilization) lens.  These lenses have a technology that will assist in eliminating vibration and shake from your lens.  This gives the user extra ability to shoot in lower light or while holding the camera without a tripod.  Focus speed (servo, silent wave motor) can also be an important part of your choice.  Higher quality lenses have a lighting fast auto-focus response time and will ensure you get the best opportunity to get your photo.

The series of Mike’s Commando Guides will cover in detail all aspects of camera use and situational photography.  Again, I expect to have Volume 1 online by March and it will be filled with fantastic information that will guarantee you becoming a better and more confident photographer in NO TIME FLAT!

Top 10 Digital Cameras

If you are in the market for a digital camera, there are so many to choose from that the choices are endless.  Brand name, style, zoom, DSLR, point and shoot, waterproof…the list goes on forever! 

After doing some research from the various lists and consumer reports, I have compiled a list of the top ten rated (by review and sales figures)digital cameras currently on the market.  This is NOT the end of your search but rather the start.  These cameras offer a wide range of functions, settings and performance differences that will cover most of the features you are looking for.

Remember to do your due diligence when it comes to purchasing anything including your digital camera.  Just because something is on sale does not mean it is the best choice for you.

TOP TEN RATED DIGITAL CAMERAS
JANUARY 2009

Nikon D40
Entry level DSLR
2.5 in. L
CD Panel Size
1.06 lb. Weight
2.5 in. Depth
6.24 Megapixel Resolution

Nikon D80
Medium Level DSLR
2.5 in. LCD Panel Size
1.31 lb. Weight
3 in. Depth
10.75 Megapixel Resolution
Canon PowerShot G9 
Point and Shoot High End
6 x Optical Zoom
3.0 in. LCD Panel Size
0.71 lb. Weight
1.67 in. Depth
12.1 Megapixel Resolution 

Canon EOS Rebel XTi Body Only 
Medium Level DSLR
2.5 in. LCD Panel Size
1.13 lb. Weight
2.56 in. Depth
10.1 Megapixel Resolution
SLR Medium
  
Nikon D90
Medium Level DSLR
3.0 in. LCD Panel Size
2.3 lb. Weight
3 in. Depth
12.9 Megapixel Resolution

Canon PowerShot S5 IS
Point and Shoot High End
12 x Optical Zoom
2.5 in. LCD Panel Size
0.99 lb. Weight
3.06 in. Depth
8.3 Megapixel Resolution

Nikon D60
Entry Level DSLR
2.5 in. LCD Panel Size
1.01 lb. Weight
2.5 in. Depth
10.2 Megapixel Resolution

Canon PowerShot A590 IS 

Point and Shoot Entry Level
l4 x Optical Zoom
2.5 in. LCD Panel Size
0.39 lb. Weight
1.61 in. Depth
8 Megapixel Resolution

Canon PowerShot SD870 IS 
Point and Shoot Mid Level
3.8 x Optical Zoom
3.0 in. LCD Panel Size
0.34 lb. Weight • 1.02 in. Depth
8 Megapixel Resolution

Nikon D300
High End DSLR
3.0 in. LCD Panel Size
1.82 lb. Weight
2.9 in. Depth
12.3 Megapixel Resolution

Welcome to Mike’s Commando Guide

Hi everyone,

Thanks for visiting Mike’s Commando Guide for digital photography.  Mike’s Commando Guide is the source for digital photography “how to” guides.  Our digital photography guides are being designed to meet the needs of the average consumer DSLR owner.  They will make using your camera easier and will show you how to get the most enjoyment and fun from your photography. We are expecting to launch volume one of the Mike’s Commando Guide series in March of 2009 and will be posting information from now until the launch so stay tuned!  We will be updating information on a regular basis while our site grows.

Until our official launch…keep your eyes open for special offers and news!