A couple for C & C: snowsports content

[Croissant Seven]

I'm having difficulties with snow and flat light this winter, and I need some ideas for improving shots like these. Thanks!

 

[SimplyCanon]

May I ask what kind of camera you are using? And are you using flash?

 

[Croissant Seven]

May I ask what kind of camera you are using? And are you using flash?

Nikon D3000, no flash in those pics. The nighttime railslide was shot under stadium lights. I don't use flash for action shots unless I have to, because riders don't like flashes popping off in their eyes unless they're expecting it, there's a high risk of injury if they can't see or they get distracted, and those are candids.
C7

 

[For9Studios]

Croissant Seven - do you shoot in manual mode? If not, try shooting Manual and mess around with your Exposure compensation and dial it up +1 1/2 to + 2.

Here is a good link discussing shooting in the snow.

How to Shoot Photographs in the Snow

Good luck!

 

[Croissant Seven]

Croissant Seven - do you shoot in manual mode? If not, try shooting Manual and mess around with your Exposure compensation and dial it up +1 1/2 to + 2.

Here is a good link discussing shooting in the snow.

How to Shoot Photographs in the Snow

Good luck!

Always in manual mode. So which pics do you think need the compensation adjustment?

 

[For9Studios]

Maybe #2 and #3 in my opinion.

 

[Croissant Seven]

Maybe #2 and #3 in my opinion.

I need to practice adjusting it on the fly, it's a "forgotten" control in many cases, as is the ISO setting. When I'm making action shots, I have a few seconds between shots, so I have to try to find a set-and-forget parameter for the situation I'm in. I haven't figured out the Program function on my camera yet, but I dont think presets will be as useful to me as a strong knowledge of what to set where given conditions.

These conditions were particularly tough to shoot in for me:

 

[Croissant Seven]

I'm looking for tips on how to improve the sharpness of moving objects in light that's low and flat like the images above, and how to get better features in the first pic above. Thanks!

 

[For9Studios]

What type of focus are you using - normal? Try using Nikon's continuous servo AF. This may help tracking the subject - for your action shots. What kind of lens are you shooting with? Sorry if I missed it....

 

[Croissant Seven]

These were shot with either a Nikkor 18-55mm or 55-200mm - the kit lenses that came with my D3000.