Us Combat Sports: Best photographs of 2010!

Check out the Us Combat Sports best of 2010 photographs! Amazing shots of all the action!

Us Combat Sports

What the BEC?

Recently, I've returned back to school to brush up on some the digital photography techniques I may have missed and get up to date on the newest and latest in the field. To my surprise, I learned the most basic and oldest rules of metering. Somehow missed a long time ago.

Basic Exposure Constant, otherwise known as BEC, is a set of rules for metering that has been around since the earlier days of photography when cameras didn't have built in light meters and photographers didn't have hand held ones for that matter. The BEC is a system that determines the correct exposure of the image with out using a light meter.

So how does it work? .

Let's start out with the F16 rule:

"On a sunny, bright day defined by sharp distinct shadows, the exposure will be F/16 @ the reciprocal of the ISO."

Next here is the Aperture chart:

F/22 Super sunny bright/reflective light-medium shadows, hard edges
F/16 Sunny bright,-dark shadows, hard edges
F/11 Partially cloudy-medium shadows, soft edges
F/8 Overcast bright light-no shadows
F/5.6 Overcast dull/blue sky-no shadows
F/4 Dark/no sky-no shadows
F/2.8 One hour before sunset-no shadows

So what does all this mean?

This is how I've come to understand it. It means your Aperture/ f-stop will be determined by the lighting conditions in which you are shooting (Aperture chart). The ISO speed will also be determined by the lighting conditions, thus giving you a shutter speed of 1/ISO.

Example: When taking a photo of people on the ski slopes on a bright sunny day the settings will be: F/22-ISO 100-Shutter speed 1/100.

If your light meter stops working you now know how to properly expose an image using BEC. Thought I'd pass along this little nugget of wisdom. Keep on learning!

Practice Makes Perfect

The only way one gets good at something is by practicing it. One way I keep in practice with my photography is to make assignments for myself. Some ideas I have developed are to:

1) Create areas of photography that I'd like to get better at or fine tune areas that I already excel in ;
2) Come up with creative and fun project ideas for no other purpose other than to have fun;
3) Set deadlines for these projects so that they are not opened ended and I get bored when they are never finished. I try to do one new project a week. Unfortunately, I've been way too busy lately to keep on task with this goal. But I highly advise you try it. Not only does setting goals help you to become a better photographer, it can be a lot of fun too!

Sometimes it is even more enjoyable and motivating to have someone to go on a "photo shoot" with you. Especially when shooting at night I suggest you always go with another person. Not only does it help to have a second pair of eyes, you have someone else making sure you don't get hit by a car while trying to take a photo.

My most recent project was to shoot Austin by night. I went out with my fellow photographer friend, Lauren. We wondered around South Congress and then up to the State Capitol. Here are some shots I got from this project.







These photographs may or may not be used but I definitely learned a lot about shooting in low light, how to use new functions and most of all I enjoyed doing it! Keeping your enthusiasm and spontaneity as a photographer is very important whether you have assignments going on or not.

Photography on two wheels

Whenever I have a free day my favorite thing to do is ride around town on my bicycle. I usually plug in my MP3 player and shoot photos as I go. This is not as dangerous as it sounds! I do stop my bike for the photo shoots. Thorough my adventures, I have rediscovered Austin even though I've lived here for the past 10+ years. Unfortunately, it's not often these days that I have the time or that the weather permits such activities. But, last week I was lucky enough to have the free time to cruise around Austin on my bike and shoot some photos.

Here are some shots from a recent biking adventure...Enjoy!




Here are some old ones that I found, too...






When cycling I am able to capture interesting subjects that normally go unnoticed when I am driving. I enjoy this activity because it forces me to "stop and smell the roses" and perhaps even snap an amazing photo of one. Not only does this activity provide me with the opportunity to refine my craft, as a bonus I find it to be extremely relaxing. And some of my best work has come out of these types of treks around the city.

My favorite time of day to do this is before and during dusk. I just love the golden light that eliminates my subjects. Some people prefer dawn, but I have never been an early bird so that doesn't happen much. I usually prefer to go out on these shoots alone, but it is always nice when I have company who do not mind the periodic stopping when something catches my eye.

We live in a busy world and our day-to-day lives don't always allow us to take time out for leisure activities. I believe that it is crucial that I spend time doing what I love. It's an amazing world that we live in. In the great words of the greatest loafer Farris Bueller: "Life moves pretty fast. You don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it."

Mary Ellen Mark-documentary photographer

I was first introduced to the work of Mary Ellen Mark about four years ago. My mother gave me her book "American Odyssey Aperture." I recall my mother saying, "I think you will really like her work, it kind of reminds me of yours." As expected, I instantly fell in love with the genuineness of her images.

One of my strongest abilities I have in photography is in the power of connecting and capturing my subjects' emotions. I enjoy telling stories with my work. When I first started to learn photography in high school I was extremely fortunate to have encouraging friends that were always willing to be the subjects of my visions.

Mary Ellen Mark has been recognized on a global level as one of the best documentary photographers. Her work is absolutely amazing. It is her ability to capture the raw emotions of her subjects and the underline story behind the images that sets her apart. Her work is inspiring. If there is anyone that I would model my career after, it would be her.

www.maryellenmark.com

Overcoming the challenges of indoor sports photography

Indoor sports action photography requires practice and skill. It is challenging but not impossible. As a photographer you have a number of difficult conditions you work under such as low light, fast action and distance shooting.

It has taken me a long time to change my ratio of "crap" shots to "killer” shots. I want to share some of the things I have learned along the way. The most important step is to familiarize yourself with your equipment and its functions. Taking the time to learn about your equipment can save costly preventable mistakes in the long run. Read the manual if needed. Spend as long as you need to feel comfortable operating the equipment. Fumbling around during an actual shoot will result in missing good shots and cause frustration.

Next, you need to experiment with the conditions of your shooting location. Adjust your speed and aperture settings according to each environment. Use a mono pod or tripod. Mono pods are easier to work with and take up less room. I suggest that you do some practice shot tests. By doing this, it will help eliminate the number of "crap" shots when the action starts and you need to shoot for real.

When shooting an indoor sporting event, make sure to scope out the area to find the best vantage spot to shoot from and also look for an alternative back up area free of ongoing people traffic and other obstacles if possible. Sometimes you will have to be bold and determined and get into people’s way in order to get the shot you want. Being too polite is not an advantage in this game. You can always apologize after you get your shot. I have found that being a person of short stature (5ft 4in.) has its benefits when having to weave my way through a crowd and squeeze into tight spots to get those amazing shots.

It also helps tremendously to have an understanding of the sport you are shooting. Know what the sport's objectives are such as: how do you know who/when/how someone has won and what are the key elements of a "win". Then you can know what type of shots you are looking for. I also advise rapid shooting. Why not? Having too many shots never hurts and it is better than not enough! Most of all become a part of the sporting event. The more you are into what you shooting, it shows. Remember: learn about your equipment, the sport you are covering and don't be shy-most people love to have their picture taken! They will thank you later!