capt2575 Loc: New York City

I am shooting youth basketball with a Canon 7D and a 24-70mm f/2.8 lens. I must be focusing on the wrong place because I don't have the hands or ball in the shot. I am focusing on the face. HELP

St3v3M Loc: 35,000 feet

It will help greatly if you post an example photo so we can help, but on a guess I might assume you are shooting with a large aperture thereby reducing your depth of field where the face may be in focus and the rest is out.

Post a photo and make sure to check (store original) and we will know for sure.

EZsh00ter Loc: Ottawa, On. Canada

The face is exactly where you should be focusing on. Don't shoot unless you have the ball in the shot. If you are too close, back up or zoom out.
24 to 70, plus your camera crop shouldn't be so tight as to not have the hands in the shot. I shoot colege BBal with a 70-200, and stand on one side of the court near the back and wait t'ill a player rushes with the ball near the sideline to take a pic. I also stand behind the net and wait for a layup or dunk with a 24-70. I don't see how you could be too tight if you zoom out in that situation and shoot vertically.

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

This is good advice...I used it for Lacrosse.

Find a place where the action will happen, and get set, don't chase ALL of the action...you won't get it.

hpl575 Loc: Indianapolis, IN

Not in the shot, is a zoom issue. Blurred in the shot is a motion issue. It is also possible that the AF point is falling off of the head and unto the background blurring the entire player. If you are using single point focus, you may want to try focusing on the upper torso, the larger area is easier follow. If using multi point the camera will try to track, but if it gets lost will likely focus on the AF point closest to the camera. In sports, things are in motion, often at different rates. A running player's torso is moving at one speed, a foot on the floor is not moving at all (same speed as the floor), recovering foot at approximately twice the speed of the torso, hands and the ball are moving up and down likely, and the head may be wobbling. You may want to set the camera in "sports" mode until you get a feel for shutter speed, aperture, and iso. Indoor shots with low light levels are likely to be more of a compromise than outdoor. You will need to get a feel for when you want one-shot versus servo mode for the focus. I believe "sports" mode will put you in servo mode. As mentioned earlier, sample photos would be helpful. The equipment listed is known to shoot good sports photos, a longer lens may eventually be desired. Lastly, just like the players, practice, practice, practice. Over time, you will develop a feel for what works well for you.

cthahn

In sports you do not have time to play with the zoom, focus the camera, and make any other settings. Use a prime lens, and pay all attention to what is in the view finder. Practice, practice, and practice some more. Sport are not easy.

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

Google basketball images and check them out. See what looks good to you and emulate those images. If you aren't getting enough of the subject in the frame, then you either need to back off or zoom out more. It's better to crop a little after you have the shot then to miss the action by cutting off half the ball or half of the action.

Another think to learn is to quickly adjust the focus points while never moving your eye from the viewfinder. I'd rather have the players face in focus than the ball or some other player. I'd also rather have the back side of a player with hands up in the "just released the ball" position with the ball swishing the net on a buzzer beater shot. If you have the name of the jersey or the players number that's even better.

visualconnections Loc: Boerne, texas

I don' t usually do sports, but my son does race cars and gave me a little advise. He told me when I was just shooting the grandsons team for practice, to use the lens 70/200 and I put it on TV with my 7D on continuous shooting and since I was in good day light I had the shutter speed pretty high and the F/s set its self with my SP. I was pleased with the out come, and even picked balls out during the pitch. Of course had a few blurred but over all was ok. I feel a lot more comfortable with the NON-moving subjects. I do still poses in my home studio and feel in place there.

wolfd Loc: Vancouver, Canada

Show us the pictures.

chrisscholbe Loc: Kansas City, MO

Maybe you're waiting too long to take the picture.

If you're waiting until he shoots to snap the pic, the delay may be too long.

Try anticipating the shot and shoot in "sports" mode...taking 3 - 5 shots in rapid succession and get the ball in various stages of its arc towards the basket.

LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field

This^^^^. It totally helps to have an understanding of the sport you are photographing. It will help you anticipate where the action will occur. Then you need a camera & memory card combo with the capability to capture and write at a fast speed. By the time, you see it in the viewfinder, you are too late-- unless it's chess.



;-)