Softball Tournament
Jun 9, 2019 09:43:38 #
Nikon D5500 Nikor 18-300 3.5-6.3G VR
Not my usual thing but thought I'd try my hand for family.
Think I've got the lighting issues kind of under control, more composition and location suggestions.
*I think I should have switched to my 35 1.8 for the team photo
Any and all critiques/comments welcome.
Not my usual thing but thought I'd try my hand for family.
Think I've got the lighting issues kind of under control, more composition and location suggestions.
*I think I should have switched to my 35 1.8 for the team photo
Any and all critiques/comments welcome.
Jun 10, 2019 05:38:37 #
kels7200
Loc: Maryland, USA
Good shots but one thing you can definitely easily do to improve them is to make sure they're straightened. All the action shots except the first one are tilted to some degree. If you have something really obvious like the grass line you might want to use that. The ones of the batter, I'd go off the up and down lines of the fence in the background.
Otherwise the only other thing I'd suggest you try to get is a ball in the shot. It's not always possible (and often in baseball/softball, the ball is already in a player's glove) but that really helps tell the story of what is going on. Not always easy when things are going super fast, but it's something to strive for.
Otherwise the only other thing I'd suggest you try to get is a ball in the shot. It's not always possible (and often in baseball/softball, the ball is already in a player's glove) but that really helps tell the story of what is going on. Not always easy when things are going super fast, but it's something to strive for.
Jun 10, 2019 08:23:05 #
kels7200 wrote:
Good shots but one thing you can definitely easily... (show quote)
I agree with the straighter horizons. I also see ever so much camera shake in the action shots around 2nd base. be sure to squeeze the shutter and not jab it. Easy to get quick when adrenaline is flowing and action is happening fast. Anticipation is key and try to exhale slowly as the moment is happening.
On the team photo, the lens is fine, I would have used a little fill flash to balance shadows.
Great efforts though!
Jun 10, 2019 09:35:29 #
"...comments welcome..." great sporting contest! lovely color harmonies latent within...
At issue is image acuity...
You were shooting your AF-S 18-300 3.5-6.3G VR at the following on the image #4
Aperture: f/6.3
Focal Length: 230mm (FX equivalent of 345mm)
Shutter Priority @ 1/500
ISO: 160
Note: Your zone of critical focus on this capture was on the runner's trailing foot... Her cleat was the only area in reasonable focus (albeit poor acuity)
From many years experience with the AF-S 18-300 3.5-6.3G VR I would suggest the following...
Never shoot that optic wide open, it preforms poorly wide open especially at the long end.
This optic needs to be stopped down to F/8 at which it is acceptable.
Ok 1/500 is NOT going to work at 345mm... you need to be at 1/1000 or higher...
In bright sunlight there is absolutely no reason not to shoot at 1/4000...
You ISO is way to low at 160... your Nikon D5500 will do just fine up to ISO 1600...
You can "fix" image noise, but not subject motion and/or camera shake in post processing...
Best advice? Get out of shutter priority and shoot manual with Auto ISO... set your minimum shutter speed to 1/2000 for Auto ISO... Set your Shutter Speed to 1/2000, Aperture to f/8 and use Auto ISO to control exposure...
btw, notice you were panning with the runner on #4 since her cleat is in relative focus but the ground isn't... good job! that's the way to go...
How to practice you skills here? Go to a bike path and practice panning runners and cyclist with you kit until you become one with shooting in Manual at 1/2000 at f/8... You can indeed freeze those athelets razor sharp with that lens with those settings... I've done so countless times AFTER I learned how to use this lens...
Hope this helps or is at least food for thought...
I wish you well on your journey Uaana
At issue is image acuity...
You were shooting your AF-S 18-300 3.5-6.3G VR at the following on the image #4
Aperture: f/6.3
Focal Length: 230mm (FX equivalent of 345mm)
Shutter Priority @ 1/500
ISO: 160
Note: Your zone of critical focus on this capture was on the runner's trailing foot... Her cleat was the only area in reasonable focus (albeit poor acuity)
From many years experience with the AF-S 18-300 3.5-6.3G VR I would suggest the following...
Never shoot that optic wide open, it preforms poorly wide open especially at the long end.
This optic needs to be stopped down to F/8 at which it is acceptable.
Ok 1/500 is NOT going to work at 345mm... you need to be at 1/1000 or higher...
In bright sunlight there is absolutely no reason not to shoot at 1/4000...
You ISO is way to low at 160... your Nikon D5500 will do just fine up to ISO 1600...
You can "fix" image noise, but not subject motion and/or camera shake in post processing...
Best advice? Get out of shutter priority and shoot manual with Auto ISO... set your minimum shutter speed to 1/2000 for Auto ISO... Set your Shutter Speed to 1/2000, Aperture to f/8 and use Auto ISO to control exposure...
btw, notice you were panning with the runner on #4 since her cleat is in relative focus but the ground isn't... good job! that's the way to go...
How to practice you skills here? Go to a bike path and practice panning runners and cyclist with you kit until you become one with shooting in Manual at 1/2000 at f/8... You can indeed freeze those athelets razor sharp with that lens with those settings... I've done so countless times AFTER I learned how to use this lens...
Hope this helps or is at least food for thought...
I wish you well on your journey Uaana
Jun 10, 2019 10:46:47 #
Uaana wrote:
Nikon D5500 Nikor 18-300 3.5-6.3G VR
Not my usual thing but thought I'd try my hand for family.
Think I've got the lighting issues kind of under control, more composition and location suggestions.
*I think I should have switched to my 35 1.8 for the team photo
Any and all critiques/comments welcome.
Not my usual thing but thought I'd try my hand for family.
Think I've got the lighting issues kind of under control, more composition and location suggestions.
*I think I should have switched to my 35 1.8 for the team photo
Any and all critiques/comments welcome.
I agree with the comments listed here.
Practice shooting manual with auto iso, the camera can handle the higher iso. Sports is a minimum of 1/1000 to stop action and camera movement, especially at the mm your shooting.
You might just for practice shoot a shutter priority to see what works best for you. For your first time you did just fine.
Next time when a runner is going to second base focus on the player receiving the ball, that way you will get the player, the ball and then the runner in frame.
Jun 10, 2019 11:55:31 #
Thomas, Mike and Jules,
Thank you!!!!
Didn't even notice the tilt at first.
**Completely my fault. I did not set out to actually shoot the game. Just a few snaps of my neice... So I was sitting in a lawn chair for a majority.
I've got another series where I actually tried to focus on doing better shots.
** Thank you for the suggestions on settings!!
Not sure where I picked up 500 was recommended for sports shots.
Thank you!!!!
Didn't even notice the tilt at first.
**Completely my fault. I did not set out to actually shoot the game. Just a few snaps of my neice... So I was sitting in a lawn chair for a majority.
I've got another series where I actually tried to focus on doing better shots.
** Thank you for the suggestions on settings!!
Not sure where I picked up 500 was recommended for sports shots.
Jun 10, 2019 11:59:30 #
Uaana wrote:
Thomas, Mike and Jules,
Thank you!!!!
Didn't even notice the tilt at first.
**Completely my fault. I did not set out to actually shoot the game. Just a few snaps of my neice... So I was sitting in a lawn chair for a majority.
I've got another series where I actually tried to focus on doing better shots.
** Thank you for the suggestions on settings!!
Not sure where I picked up 500 was recommended for sports shots.
Thank you!!!!
Didn't even notice the tilt at first.
**Completely my fault. I did not set out to actually shoot the game. Just a few snaps of my neice... So I was sitting in a lawn chair for a majority.
I've got another series where I actually tried to focus on doing better shots.
** Thank you for the suggestions on settings!!
Not sure where I picked up 500 was recommended for sports shots.
You did good for your first time.
Jun 12, 2019 08:17:21 #
Uaana wrote:
Nikon D5500 Nikor 18-300 3.5-6.3G VR
Not my usual thing but thought I'd try my hand for family.
Think I've got the lighting issues kind of under control, more composition and location suggestions.
*I think I should have switched to my 35 1.8 for the team photo
Any and all critiques/comments welcome.
Not my usual thing but thought I'd try my hand for family.
Think I've got the lighting issues kind of under control, more composition and location suggestions.
*I think I should have switched to my 35 1.8 for the team photo
Any and all critiques/comments welcome.
Good job for a first try. Thomas902's observations were spot on but I would like to offer my experience.
When I started shooting my grand kids HS sports pictures, a Philadelphia Daily News photographer was there also. He was kind enough to offer his advice which was keep the horizon straight, fill the frame and get offense, defense and ball in the shot. In other words, tell a story. I've seen his shots in the "paper" (online) and I am reminded of his great advice every time I see his photos. Keep on shootin'..........
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