[sawdust]

Sorry havent been on for a wile did the kickboxing shoot on sunday what a nightmare not allowed to use flash during fights one light over the ring shot at 16000 iso 160sec most shots no light. been trying to salvage some for my web site lots of interest 2700 photo views but god there crap have a look you will see what I meen. still I have been asked back so will be better prepared next time,.any ideas on how to rescue them I have used neat image (free download)
Alan Bowman Photography

[Dabhand16]

From what you've said, I presume you did not shoot in RAW format. These files do give the maximum control in processing, white balance can be changed along with exposure etc, albeit with a slower workflow.

I don't know anything about Neat Image, does it allow layers? If so, you might be able to do something by blending some layers to improve them.

I'm not very good with processing, but someone who is more skilled than me will be able to advise further.

From reading other threads, it seems that most places that host sporting events also ban the use of flashguns.

Looking at what you have on your site, it looks like you made the best of what you had availabe.

[sawdust]

thanks Dab I did shoot in Raw and have had to push the exposure loads but I'm getting lotts of noise this is when I then use Neat image to clean them a bit but this seems to soften them up. Been in touch with some of the fighters and hope to get some indevidual shoots with them

[Markulous]

Difficult to tell at that size what can/can't be done but Neat Image will/can often "Nutella" images - looks like you had a fun time tho'!

[Victoria]

What a tough gig. I think you did alright for the conditions (better than I could!). Like you say, next time you'll know what to expect and will be prepared for it.

Looks like you got some good actions shots anyway.

[fionaB]

yeah i also think considering the condition that you did alright! there are some good images there and you captured the scemes and the effort that goes into this sport, so well done.

Fi

[Steve]

It looks to me like the you have got the timing of some of the shots spot on. Its looks like atough gig to shoot and I would be happy with what you have done (camera limitations included)

Regarding the noise I see that you have two options depending on how much this gig is paying you. The first and most expensive is to change your camera body to a model that has better noise factors than your D50, there are many out there but obviously they come at a cost.

The second option would be to try Noiseware Professional instead of neat image. I use this and prefer its features and level of control over those in Neat Image, again the pro version is a pay for product so it is going to impact on your pocket but not as much as a new camera body. There may be a free trial available that you can download to compare its results to your results in Neat Image.

Hope that helps.

One last point...totally off subject - your competition entry has not been accepted as you did not include it with the email (only a link which I couldn't follow) and my reply to your email address bounced. You have about a day to get corrected if you want to be in this months comp

[Charlotte]

Sorry to hear it didn't all go according to plan sawdust, particularly as you bought the SB-600 specially for this shoot

You did get some good shots tho', so very well done there

Might take a long time + precision work, but could you p'raps fix the noisy ones' BG's only without running the whole image thru' (thus affecting subjects too)??

Might not seem like it now, but you will look back + laugh about this one day ... when you're on your 100th kickboxing photo shoot

Good luck for the next one

[VikingPhotography]

The shots themselves are good in terms of composition and, if you feel that you're struggling with noise, then there's only one solution: a zoom lens with a constant f/2.8 aperture.

At f/2.8, you'd be letting in four times as much light as your 18-55 does when racked out at the 55mm position since it's only capable of f/5.6 at that end of the range.

This would allow you to either lower the ISO value from 1600 to 800 and probably bump up the shutter speed a little to better stop the action.

Like I said in your pre-shoot post: if you can't directly afford an f/2.8 lens at the moment, you should at least rent one for the next time you shoot this sort of event - check out Hireacamera.com and in particular the 28-70 and 70-200 lenses they have there.

[Gary Bagshawe]

Under the circumstances you have done a great job. Some really nice images,

[sawdust]

thanks all i'm not detered one of the winners May be fighting for a british title in june and has asked me to do all his publicity shots and work with him for his club web site he has asked me if my son matt if he can build his site for him so things are not so bad, lotts of the fighters have contacted me and understand the problems so may get some work from them . also have ordered my Tamron 90mm macro so lets see how things go. Once again thanks all for your feedback it helps loads.

[Charlotte]

Cool beans, sawdust Look forward to seeing some shots with the new lens

Er will that be with or without flash? Have to put the SB-800 to work now

[paulc]

Ive just had a look and think that you have done a great job under such difficult circumstances.

[sawdust]

Thanks Paul and every one for there suport looking forward to the next time. I have sold about 10 shots so far but I think with better shots I would have sold a lot more, still this is the begining Im still finding my feet.