FLYBALL - had never heard of it before

kundalini · Jan 25, 2009

I had the chance to go to a Flyball competition yesterday. Craziest thing to see. There are two lanes and each team has four dogs that run, jumping four hurdles, smack a board that holds/releases a tennis ball, catch it and run back over the four hurdles, then the next dog, and so on.

I took a bunch of photos, but only had a few that even came close to being decent. The lighting was horrible, the place was very crowded, and the dogs were FAST!!! I'm not seasoned on action shooting, so this was a learning experience for me.

Anyway, the course. Notice the lightstand between the lanes. The team on the right had a false start (the red light).

The box. There are three positions for the balls (one at a time). I'm guessing the ones on either end are because some dogs are lefties and some are righties. The one in the middle are for the little dogs because their balls are smaller.

Did I mention they are FAST!!!.

This dog was almost too excited. :drool:

A few of the competitors were wearing sweat bands. This guy could get some serious air and remain totally focused.

If you get a chance to be at one of these competitions, I have one word for you.......... EARPLUGS. :lmao:

Thanks for looking.

kundalini · Jan 25, 2009

Going for the ball.......

Oh boy...got the ball.......

gsgary · Jan 25, 2009

I shot some agility yesterday and most of these dogs do flyball, i was having to shoot at ISO3200 F2.8 and only getting 1/320

kundalini · Jan 25, 2009

gsgary said:
I shot some agility yesterday and most of these dogs do flyball,......

WOW, thanks soooo much for your comments on MY photos. Much appreciated.

BTW, Flyball is a competition..... this thread ain't one. :pirate:

:roll:

sarallyn · Jan 25, 2009

wooo, look at that little staffordshire bull terrier go!
nice shots, kundalini

dl4449 · Jan 25, 2009

Really nice shots kundalini looks like quite a challenge for the photographer and the dogs
Troy

gsgary · Jan 25, 2009

kundalini said:
WOW, thanks soooo much for your comments on MY photos. Much appreciate

BTW, Flyball is a competition..... this thread ain't one. :roll:

Who said it was

kundalini · Jan 25, 2009

gsgary said:
Who said it was

Ooooookaaaay. Thank you for your interest in this thread.

stsinner · Jan 25, 2009

Kundalini, you got some awesome catches there! The last one of your first set-the dog with the sweatbands-is great! The look of sheer determination on that dogs face is unmistakable.

Gary, I love your shots, as always, but you did kind of play unfair bringing that thousand-dollar glass in here.. Your pictures are in a class all their own.

Antarctican · Jan 25, 2009

Flyball looks and sounds like a hoot! You captured the action well...you can see the excitement and focus on the dogs' faces, and you get a sense of the speed they're going. My fave of the first set is the last shot (he sure cleared the hurdle by a large margin), and the first one of the second set (it's literally going 'flat out', and the lolling tongue gives the dog such a joyful look)

Mgw189 · Jan 25, 2009

stsinner said:
Kundalini, you got some awesome catches there! The last one of your first set-the dog with the sweatbands-is great! The look of sheer determination on that dogs face is unmistakable.

Gary, I love your shots, as always, but you did kind of play unfair bringing that thousand-dollar glass in here.. Your pictures are in a class all their own.

The OP doesnt exactly have cheap glass or bodies either. Not that it really matters. Both posted nice shots. Kundalini what were you shooting with in those photos. Indoor shots are always pretty tough to get no doubt about that. I have had some luck at a some outdoor events with frisbee dogs.

stsinner · Jan 25, 2009

Mgw189 said:
The OP doesnt exactly have cheap glass or bodies either. .

I guess not-I just checked his profile, and I guess it was a level playing field.. A D300 and some awesome primes..

kundalini · Jan 25, 2009

Mgw189 said:
The OP doesnt exactly have cheap glass or bodies either. Not that it really matters. Both posted nice shots. Kundalini what were you shooting with in those photos. Indoor shots are always pretty tough to get no doubt about that. I have had some luck at a some outdoor events with frisbee dogs.

Ummmmmm, I don't think comnparing a 70-200mm zoom to a 300mm prime (even if both are at f/2.8) is apples and apples.

kundalini · Jan 25, 2009

Antarctican said:
Flyball looks and sounds like a hoot! You captured the action well...you can see the excitement and focus on the dogs' faces, and you get a sense of the speed they're going. My fave of the first set is the last shot (he sure cleared the hurdle by a large margin), and the first one of the second set (it's literally going 'flat out', and the lolling tongue gives the dog such a joyful look)

:lmao::lmao::lmao:

Cheers.... that little guy had me laughing all day long.