Pool Photography

Hi there. Just stumbled on this thread and it's great to know someone who has the same inkling for pool and photography.

Last time i did a shoot for pool was during the 2007 WPC in the Philippines. The thing i noticed with pool was that all the shots you would normally take will all look the same once you review them after the event. The only difference is the player taking the shot and the angle perhaps. So what i did was look for drama in the players faces. Try to break away from the norm and find the "unusual".

Here are some of my shots then.

Efren Reyes in a very pensive mood. This was taken while his opponent was running out.
1867408838_ecf08746f0.jpg
 
Another one of Alcano. I like this one so much...i can clearly see the tenacity in the face, eyes, his grip.

"Carom of the 2"

1894037306_4d2df7c308.jpg
 
Here is Tony Drago during one of the matches. Probably looking up to the pool gods for one more rack.

1921048883_120fda9f47.jpg
 
While the action was ongoing at the main floor, high above the rafters was a set-up for player interviews. I chanced upon what seems to be a silhoutte of one of the anchors and a well known player (guess who it is) watching the action as well.

Aptly titled "The Pool Gods Watch Above"

1866579819_081658da8c.jpg
 
1pocket said:
The sound hasn't been such an issue at the bigger tournaments, at least with the longer lens -- assuming I am shooting from back in a standard photographer zone. I worry about the movement when I am directly in the line of sight, too. I try not to move if the player is shooting down the barrel of the camera, and in fact I try to pull the trigger on the camera either way before they might pull the trigger on the shot, or just after, out of respect, if I am directly in their line of sight. I try to use at least 1/100 shutter, and monopod support.
Click to expand...

Thanks, I do it the same way.
 
@Allenjo

Thanks for your input, I was looking for such hints....
I'm still looking for different "moments" and views. I enjoyed yours much.
 
Allenjo said:
While the action was ongoing at the main floor, high above the rafters was a set-up for player interviews. I chanced upon what seems to be a silhoutte of one of the anchors and a well known player (guess who it is) watching the action as well.

Aptly titled "The Pool Gods Watch Above"

1866579819_081658da8c.jpg
Click to expand...
Is the player on the right Alex Pagulayan? Is the Anchor Jim Wych?
 
I take photos for my Canadian Pool site www.shooterville.com you can see some of my photography at http://www.shooterville.com/photo gallery

I use a Canon Digital Rebel XTI with a Canon Zoom Telephoto EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM Autofocus Lens.

I think Jerry Forsyth and Inside Pool use the same setup.

That lens and camera will do what you need in low light. I think the best suggestion I can give is to take a lot of pictures. Getting the white ballance right can make a big difference as well.
 
srs314 said:
I take photos for my Canadian Pool site www.shooterville.com you can see some of my photography at http://www.shooterville.com/photo gallery

I use a Canon Digital Rebel XTI with a Canon Zoom Telephoto EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM Autofocus Lens.

I think Jerry Forsyth and Inside Pool use the same setup.

That lens and camera will do what you need in low light. I think the best suggestion I can give is to take a lot of pictures. Getting the white ballance right can make a big difference as well.
Click to expand...

Yes this would be a interesting lens (but also a little bit expensive ....;-)
I also think about the 85 1.8 and the 135 2.0.
Also your pictures are nice, looks like the light conditions are better in your poolrooms ...
 
srs314 said:
I take photos for my Canadian Pool site www.shooterville.com you can see some of my photography at http://www.shooterville.com/photo gallery

I use a Canon Digital Rebel XTI with a Canon Zoom Telephoto EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM Autofocus Lens.

I think Jerry Forsyth and Inside Pool use the same setup.

That lens and camera will do what you need in low light. I think the best suggestion I can give is to take a lot of pictures. Getting the white ballance right can make a big difference as well.
Click to expand...

I enjoyed seeing all of your great pool pics! :) Thanks for sharing.

One suggestion I would make for all pool photogarphers who have such a great collection is to, please, provide the names of the players in the pictures. Some players, I could recognize, but there were many who I could not identify. So identification would be very much appreciated, at least by this viewer. :thumbup:

Maybe the players like it better like that. ;)
 
I have been using a Nikon D100 and now a D300, mostly together with a 80-200mm f/2.8 IF-ED. Some times also together with a Wide Angle.

I have not knocked the ISO to the high peaks so some of my pic's is not always as sharp as I want them. Usually I use shutter priority and play around with 60-100s shutters, which could be to slow with the 80-200.

Playing with the aperture could for sure make some nice effects and is something I do when I have the light for it, but as mentioned earlier it's some times very "repetitive" pics we end up with so pool pic's has not been to exciting for me.

Here is some pics on my web :
http://www.kendocues.com/Websted/Pictures/Pictures.html

EDIT: 9 Ball open was done with a cheap Canon G9..

Kent
 
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1pocket said:
You are off to a good start! I am sure you have noticed how hard it is to get "different" pics, since players go through the same routines more or less every shot. Then of course, the low light, no flash allowed, and often mixed light source (ie Kelvin), make for a challenge, no?

I am getting my best results with new Nikon D300 camera, which is good in low light (I often use iso 1600), along with a heavy old f2.8 80-200 zoom. The big glass and excellent auto focus on that old lens are a big help!

here is one of my favorites from last summer's Turning Stone tournament:
354561400_uUtkF-L.jpg


I have a few galleries here:
onepocket.smugmug.com
Click to expand...

Steve...GREAT shot there!! Also wondering if you ever picked up the MB D10 (Vertical grip-battery holder) for you're 300? I LOVE mine. some of the best money I have spent. If you haven't got one...get it.

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Using the same set up, D300 w/80-200 2.8 mostly, sometimes throwing a 50 1.4 on it.

Lens speed is the key to shooting low-light. Without it, you aren't going to be very sucessful. Having a camera that deals well with noise is another key consideration. Monopods, also help greatly.

As you mentioned...dealing with different light sources can be a PIA. Sometimes varying between one table light, if they have different bulbs in each end. (I have seen before)
 
fruehlein said:
The most of you take pictures with high ISO settings. So the quality at 100% picture size is noisy. Why not take pictures with f 1.4 ?

I know its not easy to get sharp pictures at f 1.8 and lower. But here is one of my tests:

http://www.markus-hofstaetter.at/f1_4.jpg
Click to expand...


Pick you're poison....Do you prefer grainy, or out of focus? Me, I'll put up with grain better than an out of focus shot.

At 1.4 the depth of field is REALLY shallow....the subject's nose will be in focus, and the rest of it, fuzzy. (like you're test shot, more or less) Don't get me wrong, it's a good shot.

At 2.8 it isn't much better.


Dealing with low light (most of the time) is one of the toughest situations in photography. And, can be one of the most expensive!!

The new generation of sensors that are currently being used, are miles ahead of what was available even 2 yrs ago.

Another thing ...photo imaging program. Pretty much a must these days, to help deal with any shortcomings, or mistakes you might have made. (light mostly)

I use Photoshop CS 3, and couldn't live without it.
 
JAM said:
I enjoyed seeing all of your great pool pics! :) Thanks for sharing.

One suggestion I would make for all pool photogarphers who have such a great collection is to, please, provide the names of the players in the pictures. Some players, I could recognize, but there were many who I could not identify. So identification would be very much appreciated, at least by this viewer. :thumbup:

Maybe the players like it better like that. ;)
Click to expand...

JAM...

That would be nice....if I had the time to do it. I wish I did!! It's a time consuming process to open each image, then type a name, then save it. Which means I'd have 2 copies of each image, also.

When dealing with thousands, and thousands of photos.....you can imagine the problems it can create. Not to mention the time factor- storage problems.

AND, when I send photos in, to say AZB, I send LOTS of photos. I don't decide what photos are used. I don't think they have the time, as well.

As well as not knowing the names of a lot of players...Even if they tell me, I won't remember by the time I process the photos:(

SORRY....
 
Rick S. said:
JAM...

That would be nice....if I had the time to do it. I wish I did!! It's a time consuming process to open each image, then type a name, then save it. Which means I'd have 2 copies of each image, also.

When dealing with thousands, and thousands of photos.....you can imagine the problems it can create. Not to mention the time factor- storage problems.

AND, when I send photos in, to say AZB, I send LOTS of photos. I don't decide what photos are used. I don't think they have the time, as well.

As well as not knowing the names of a lot of players...Even if they tell me, I won't remember by the time I process the photos:(

SORRY....
Click to expand...
Agreed, sometimes I don't even know the people. I would love to have a photo tagging system like facebook has to use on my site but haven't found a web based system that makes this easy.

Jam I do like the idea for sure it's just so time consuming when you take so many photos.

Scott
 
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