Boxing in a hotel's function suite

Wideload

Wideload

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Hi all, long time lurker – not much of a poster!

I have been asked at short notice to take some photographs at a boxing function in a hotel, with dinner and a couple of fights (only in the ring I hope)

I have asked how the room is to be laid out, whether the ring will have it’s own lighting etc. but I was wondering if anyone had any tips?

I would consider myself fairly inexperienced – fortunately, this is for a friend who has said there’s no pressure, seemingly the photos were done last time by a barman on a point and shoot (not that is meant as derogatory in any way); however there is naturally going to be some expectation.

I have an Olympus e520 with 14-42mm kit lens and have also borrowed all my friends gear; a Canon 1000D with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 kit lens and his 55-250mm f/4-5.6, so nothing particularly fast. I also have a Crown(?) 720 flash gun.

I would be grateful if anyone could offer some basic advice. They have specified that they would like some group shots of the top table and the like along with some shots of the fights themselves.

Many thanks in advance,

Stu :)
 
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What is the light going to be like ? Have you been to the venue ? Is Flash allowed at this event ? Generally I have found that it is not allowed.

I do not know your kit as I shoot Canon, but the light is going to be a very significant factor...What I mean is, if the light is quite low, which it has been several times when I have shot boxing, you may find that you have to crank up the iso to get a suitable shutter speed to freeze the action. Then there is the abillity of your camera to deal with noise at the higher ISO's.

The other issue is DOF if you have to open the lens up as wide as it will go... This may result in only one boxer being in focus...

On the other side of the coin, it may give you the option to do some arty stuff, but if you do, remember what you find arty , others may not...

It may be better to ask this in the Sports section,
 
Thank you for your reply and the advice. I haven't heard from the promoter yet re. lighting setup. I think flash is fine when the fights aren't on - it's is a dinner with two boxing matches after.

I have also posted in the sports section as suggested.

Thanks again.
 
without flash, just push the ISO as high as you can go, shoot raw and recover the noise a bit afterwards

with flash, which I've done. it's easier :P
...it's not much of a problem as frankly there are so many lights on the ring (bright horrible ones on each corner (this mucks up your metering so try to get to a corner that isn't opposite a light), that a flash isn't much more.
However, don't point it at the fighters :P angle up and use a diffuser
if you're shooting through the ropes, then get the lens below a rope and the flash above it, otherwise you'll block the light! big shadows :P
shoot in manual, ISO400 and tv 160 or 200 if you can
even meter down the flash a little if you want, just need to freeze some action.
I found it handy to practise your settings on the build-up entertainment if there is any.
 
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