Photography Thailand Forum

[gregoire]

For some cool action shots, across MBK is still the place to go. I had a pretty cheap flash setup this time around so I definitely need to go back and try something else.



more shots at http://leserpent.blogspot.com/2006/08/breakdance-at-mbk.html

[Chris Savery]

That first one reminds me of the guys playing "Say Pak Drakor" or "Drakor" for short. Which is like volleyball but with the feet not the hands. I ahve a series of shots taken a couple weeks ago at Lumphini and I'll post one in a new thread.

Same mind defying acrobatics as they flip full circle and manage to recover in time to hit the ball yet again.

I also recall at night in Santichai Park (by the river) in Banglumphu they do break dancing. I don't think I saw quite that style though.

Chris :)

[alex]

Another spot to see breakdancing is Seacon Sq in the evenings there are some kids who breakdance inside the mall. They are usually always on the 4th floor near Fitness First.

[gregoire]

Hey thanks, Alex. I'll check it out.

[alex]

no problem - actually I was there today and they had already set up at 6pm - but the best time is when the stores are shut but the cinema is still going. Then there is usually a group of 15 kids.

[ThaiWorld]

Gregoire,

What about a fast prime lens and high ISO?

I think the pictures will have more mood.

You could also try slow shutter speed to catch interesting breakdancing moves.

[gregoire]

In that light, at 1600 ISO, 1/125s, f/5.6 (wide open on my crap kit lens), you get a very very dark shot, nearly black. I shot everything at 39mm (equiv. 62mm). I must have still been in my duct tape the zoom phase.

I have a Sigma 30mm f/1.4 getting fixed in Japan (equiv. 48mm). According to Chris, I won't see it any time soon though. 4 stops might do the trick but the depth of field would be so shallow, the focus would have to be dead on. I agree with you I'd get nicer light and it would put the background out of focus which would be great too.

There's also your idea of allowing for motion blur but that's not really what I have in mind.

A 50mm f/1.8 could be a cheap, quick fix but sports is an instance where you can't really frame by moving around because things are going too fast or because you can't move around too much. Shooting with a fixed 80mm equiv. on that narrow BTS walkway might be problematic, or it might just right. It's hard to guess.

There's always what I suggested Alex get, the 17-50 f/2.8 from Tamron or the 17-55 f/2.8 from Canon. But then I'd only gain 2 stops, which would not be enough in this particular case, I think.