Lone Star Challenge - Girls Volleyball (8 images)

[Joe_Lorenzini]

Every year now for the last 3 years I've done some work for some fine people covering the Lone Star Challenge girls volleyball tournament in Dallas. Ages range from 13-18 years old and the 18 year olds are fierce! I've been lucky enough to shoot with many TPF members.

When you shoot this type of event, you work with images straight out of the camera so they have to be as good as you can get them. The only thing the photo sales group (on-site at the tourney) will do is crop.

There are 96 courts all going on at the same time (96 courts, 2 teams per court, 6 players per team = 1,152 girls playing every hour from 8am to 8pm).

Each photog covers between 2-4 games per hour (games could last anywhere from 20 minutes to 80 minutes depending) so you've got to get in, get your shots and move on. It's a lot of work but if you love shooting sports, you're enjoying every second!

This year I didn't care to keep any of my images so the ones posted here are the ones where I didn't format my card before calling it a day so you'll notice some are from the same team.

All images shot with Nikon D3s, 70-200mm VRII, Auto WB, Auto ISO w/max set at ISO 6400 w/minimum shutter speed of 1/800 and aperture of f/2.8:
























Last thing I'll say and only those who have shot volleyball in any form will understand but if you can successfully shoot a volleyball game, you can shoot any sport out there.

Joe

[PeteQ]

Really nice work here Joe!

[MRCPix]

Joe those are really great. Fantastic timing on #3

[Some Idiot]

good looking stuff

[garykohs]

Nice work, Joe. Thanks for sharing.

That D3S and 70-200 VRII are really showing their stuff in the hands of a fine photographer who knows the game. That's all the elements.

I'd be interested in your thoughts about the VRII lens.

[Joe_Lorenzini]

Originally Posted by garykohs

I'd be interested in your thoughts about the VRII lens.

Insanely good. Very fast, sharper than the VRI version and it feels very "balanced" on the pro body. It's heavier than the VRI version and it still doesn't focus very fast when subjects are coming at you quickly (VRI doesn't do this very well either) but it's a true improvement and lives on my D3s.

That said, if you're using a VRI version, don't feel like you're missing out too much, that is still an extremely good lens. I kinda wish I hadn't sold mine as I would certainly use both.

Joe

[prncfarquad]

I marvel at how sharp these are in indoor light. great job catching peak action.

[srwatters]

Nice work Joe. Indoor lighting is deathly hard to shoot and these all look fantastic.