Monkeymom

Hi, I’m 51 and love taking photos of my two boys playing sports. I’m a stay home mom In hopes to do something in photography. I want to be able to capture the best photo and then transform the photo into a great and exciting photo. My boys play Basketball, Baseball, Footballl and Hockey. I think I have outside down but hockey and basketball are so hard. I really love taking photos it keeps me very relaxed. I also take photos of my kids teammates and set up a Shutterfly account. In the past I’ve taken my photos and scrap them to make a team album

Monkeymom

Thank you Monkeymom

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Welcome to the forum.

OviedoPhotos

Inside sports are tricky due to lighting, or lack of. Usually when I shoot indoor sports I use a fast long lens, nikon 80/200 f2.8. I experiment with the ISO setting before hand but usually 3200 for a fast shutter speed. I set the camera to Aperture mode and set that to 2.8. You may need to play with the white balance depending on the light.

Skiextreme2 Loc: Northwest MA

What kind and model camera and lenses do you have to work with?

67skylark27 Loc: Fort Atkinson, WI

Welcome! Please share what equipment you are using and check out the Sports Photography
section. Lots of good tips there. My best success with basketball and hockey is with
a 85mm f1.8 prime lens. Please share a couple pics as well!

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

Monkeymom, welcome. You have it all together. Have fun creating images.

Monkeymom

I have a canon EOS Rebel SL1 with lens 55-250 and 18-55 and a Tamaron 70-200 2.8

Monkeymom

Thank you I will try that

Skiextreme2 Loc: Northwest MA

With what you have, I'd suggest the Tamron and if it doesn't have VR, it would be better with a tripod or monopod to get the fastest shutter speeds. Experiment with aperture and shutter and manual settings, post results and ask for advice. It's always easier to give advice after seeing photos posted.

To freeze action in hockey, white balance will be important and you'll need to use faster shutter speeds, 1/1000 of a second or faster at f4 to f8 so you'll have the entire player in focus. Keep an eye on ISO though, if it gets above 1000 the result may be grainy. If you want to show a little blur, try1/500 or 1/320 at f4 to f8. Be prepared to move around to get the best views.

The other sports you mentioned are a bit slower for the most part and those played outdoors may be somewhat easier to photograph but a 70-200 or 55-250 may not have the reach you'll need. Shutter speeds of between 1/500 and 1/2000 at f8 to f16 would be good to experiment with and again keep an eye on white balance and ISO (for indoor and outdoor, auto ISO is usually ok, just keep an eye on it so you know if you have to set it manually and if you do, be prepared to adjust shutter speed).

67skylark27 Loc: Fort Atkinson, WI

For hockey use the Tamron 2.8 for sure. Indoors like that you will have to leave it wide open at 2.8,
use a shutter speed around 1/800th and you will end up with iso 1200-1600. You will not be able to
shoot hockey at f8. You will want to be at the corners with players coming at you to get their faces
and hopefully the puck. My 35mm f1.8 prime lens works great for action right behind the net, my
50 f1.4 from the corners, and the 85mm f 1.8 from the corners shooting players at the blue line
holding the puck in.

Monkeymom

Thank you so much for the advise. Once I go thru my photos I will post some for your help

MikeMck Loc: Southern Maryland on the Bay

Welcome. I spend a great deal of time photographing my 9 year old grandson playing hockey. It can be a challenge, but every once in a while you get a gem. Good luck.

tcthome Loc: NJ

Does any one have any advise for her with her auto focus system? Such mode , Spot , group ,etc.

joehel2 Loc: Cherry Hill, NJ

Welcome to the forum.