Shooting Volleyball: Hi All, if there are any sport enthusiasts who have experience shooting volleyball (indoors), I would appreciate some feedback & suggestions for composition &...

markngolf Loc: Bridgewater, NJ

Hi All,

if there are any sport enthusiasts who have experience shooting volleyball (indoors), I would appreciate some feedback & suggestions for composition & settings. I'm using my Canon 7D MII with Canon EF 70 - 200 f/2.8 II, also Canon 5D MIII with EF 24 - 70mm f/2.8 II. I'm setting manual, with AF - AF configuration Tool - cases 3 - 6 - focus priority for both 1st & 2nd. My images may be seen at
http://sportimagesbymarkweiss.shutterfly.com/pictures
There are many albums, but the latest is Panthers vs. Hunterdon. I seem to struggle with sharp focus. My exposures are decent (I think). I play with shutter speed and aperture throughout the shoot.

I find that positioning myself is very difficult, because of the net and that all shots are from the side. Not the best for composition, but I see few other choices.

I'm just a grandfather who loves attending my grandchilren's sporting events and photographing the action. Any suggestions would be welcomed.

Thanks,
Mark

dannac Loc: 60 miles SW of New Orleans

I struggle with it myself, mainly from poor lighting conditions.

Here's a link which has some good info.

http://zivnuska.zenfolio.com/blog/2014/9/how-to-photograph-volleyball

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

markngolf wrote:

Hi All, br br if there are any sport enthusiasts ... (show quote)

I too have a 7DII. Is it a poorly lit arena?. What shutter speed do you think you can get and what ISO are you comfortable with? I'm assuming you will be shootng in AI Servo. You mention the cases, but what focus modes are you using? I would suggest single with 8 expansion points or Zone AF, assuming you haven't already figured that out. Keep the shutter speed up as fast as you can.

markngolf Loc: Bridgewater, NJ

Hi,

Thanks so much for the link. It really helps. I'm only lacking about $15,000 for additional lenses. (LOL)

I have a shoot today. Maybe I'll have time to digest some info and try a couple of his suggestions.

Graci!!
Mark

dannac wrote:

I struggle with it myself, mainly from poor lighting conditions.

Here's a link which has some good info.

http://zivnuska.zenfolio.com/blog/2014/9/how-to-photograph-volleyball

markngolf Loc: Bridgewater, NJ

The venues vary with lighting. I can usually find a suitable exposure. I do search for an optimal focus setting. I'll try your suggestion today.

Maybe I should try shutter priority at 1/640?? I've been shooting at 1/300 - 1/500 and adjusting aperture between f/3.5 - 5.6, auto ISO & WB. Always Al Servo.

Thanks you so much!
Mark

jdubu Loc: San Jose, CA

Looking at your posted photos, you have some nice ones.
I would suggest that you either go in closer for a detail action shot or pull back and get the full player with ball interacting.
A lot of shots are just after or way before the peak action that translates so well as a volleyball shot. When the shot is not at the peak point, the ball is not in the frame usually and the tension isn't there.

Your gear is totally capable of shooting indoors, I think anticipating where the action will be and set for that will get you more keepers.

I posted along while ago some Vball shots from Stanford, using a 5D MKIII. The additional ISO performance makes it better, but not being a sport camera meant I really had to anticipate the moment.
Now I am using a 7D MKII with a 70-200 2.8 and playing with the AF capabilities.

markngolf Loc: Bridgewater, NJ

Thanks. I totally agree. I've been trying that, but not always successful. I have to get better at "waiting on the shot" and anticipating the action.

It's the toughest sport to shoot (for me)

Mark :D

jdubu Loc: San Jose, CA

markngolf wrote:

Thanks. I totally agree. I've been trying that, but not always successful. I have to get better at "waiting on the shot" and anticipating the action.

It's the toughest sport to shoot (for me)

Mark :D

It's a tough sport to shoot period.

dannac Loc: 60 miles SW of New Orleans

markngolf wrote:

Maybe I should try shutter priority at 1/640?? I've been shooting at 1/300 - 1/500 and adjusting aperture between f/3.5 - 5.6, auto ISO & WB.

Mark

Wow ... f/3.5 - 5.6, you got pretty good lighting.
Should be easy to get ss of 640 or 800.

What does your auto iso usually max out at ?

markngolf Loc: Bridgewater, NJ

H,
I used SS of 640 today. Better results. Have not processed the images yet, but I expect to see improvement. Auto ISO at 6400. They looked prettty good on camera review.

Thanks to all the UHH dudes who offered suggestions. You are right. It is a very tough venue. I moved back today which helped capture the ball in many of the shots. I can always crop!!

Thanks,
Mark

tomcat

markngolf wrote:

H,
I used SS of 640 today. Better results. Have not processed the images yet, but I expect to see improvement. Auto ISO at 6400. They looked prettty good on camera review.

Thanks to all the UHH dudes who offered suggestions. You are right. It is a very tough venue. I moved back today which helped capture the ball in many of the shots. I can always crop!!

Thanks,
Mark

One other thing is to sit in the center court area directly in line with the net. Go up in the seats until you are about 3-5 feet above the top of the net so you are slightly shooting downward. The players will have their hands up this high so can get great shots of action at the top of the net. I used to shoot sports for the newspaper and this worked for me

twowindsbear

Use the 'home court advantage.' Get your exposure and focus points right at home, then concentrate on catching the action. Don't worry too much about the 'away' games with the rifferent lighting conditions

Good luck

markngolf Loc: Bridgewater, NJ

Thanks. I have started to change my positioning. I did it yesterday and had better results. It's fun and lots of learning!!
Mark

markngolf Loc: Bridgewater, NJ

I usually arrive about 1/2 hour early and shoot the warmup. I use that to define my settings. Once I have correct exposure, I don't play with it anymore. I did kick up my shutter speed to 1/640 yesterday. My focus was mostly spot on. I'm getting better at anticipating where the ball will be and not trying to shoot everything I see. The coach (really a cool guy) has been using the photos instructively during practices. I post on Shutterfly. My images yesterday were much improved. I'd like to have a 400mm f/2.8, but really can't afford it. However with the 1.6 crop, my 7D M II with the 70 - 200mm f/2.8 II gets me to 320mm. Occasionally I drop down in the stands to floor level and shoot with my 5D M III with the 24 - 70 II. I go to all the games because watching my granddaughter is one of my joys of life!!

Thanks for the feedback!
Mark

Rod.smith7

I have a shot my daughter's volleyball over the past several years, and location on the court is definitely key along with proper shutter speed. I shoot with a D810, 85mm and 80-200mm mostly. And same as you, another $12-15k for a bad boy lens would be nice! Some things to consider: shoot from creative angles, either very low (which I like) or high, makes the shots much more interesting. Lighting is always a challenge in the mostly very poorly lit gyms, my preference is a min. 800 SS, max ISO of 3200, f 2/8 or lower depending on the lens being used. The 7d mark II seems ideal for vball: excellent low ISO, 1.6x crop for more reach, superb AF and 9 fps.

Have fun with it.
Rod