Ugly Hedgehog - Photography Forum
Home Active Topics Newest Pictures Search Login Register
Sports Photography
Basketball photography tips needed
Dec 21, 2015 08:54:00   #
rthompson10
 
Hello,
Shooting high school basketball for the first time
Gym is small- roughly only 2-3 feet from end line to wall and a couple feet on sides- most room in corners. Haven't stood under basket- not allowed
Using 70D, starting using 70-200 2.8 but found it was a little too tight when my team was on my side of court- better when team was at the other end of court.
Have also used my canon EFS 18-55 2.8 to get more "better" shots at my end
Shooting at 3.2, 640, iso on auto- generally comes up at 3200 or 6400.
My issues- focus- I'm using center point, but I'm missing a lot need to get used to the quickness. Using AI servo but it seems like in order to capture a full scene I need to zoom out a like and then crop to frame it right when using servo
Any tips for a better take rate?
Here is one of my shots- reduced file size
RT



Reply
Dec 22, 2015 07:18:29   #
DwsPV Loc: South Africa
 
RT,

Being a Nikon shooter, I am not all that familiar with Canon speak. AI Servo is your continuos focus setting right? We call it AFS-C for continuos focus.

When using AFS-C, I have options to select 9, 21 , 51 or 3D tracking focus points around center point. Because I generally know where my subject is going, I use 9 points. For team sports I use 21 and manage to track most of the action. Do you have a choice of number of focus points?

Also, I don't use VR or in your case Image Stabilization - that split second before lock lets me miss a few shots.

Indoors, your light is bad I guess. Keep Aperture at 2.8 and maybe drop shutter to 1/500 with Auto ISO. See if you have more keepers.

Reply
Dec 22, 2015 12:10:08   #
Jules Karney Loc: Las Vegas, Nevada
 
Basketball is one of the hardest sports to shoot. You have to deal with the lighting which in most cases is bad in gyms. I shoot with a Nikon d-7100 and 50mm. The first two shots I believe I shot 2.8 the last one 1.4. Center focus single with continuous focusing. Iso is usually around 5000.
Good luck and keep shooting. Your photo needs work in pp. It will look better. I use Picasa and PicMonkey.


(Download)


(Download)


(Download)

Reply
 
 
Dec 23, 2015 12:26:22   #
jr168
 
Have you tried back button focus? I would say close to 99% of professional sports shooters use this method.

Reply
Dec 23, 2015 12:38:09   #
Jules Karney Loc: Las Vegas, Nevada
 
Yes I use bbf. That's all I use for all my photography. Here are some from Lacrosse. All bbf.


(Download)


(Download)


(Download)

Reply
Jan 2, 2016 08:07:18   #
Digger1 Loc: Minneapolis, Minnesota
 
Please explain back button focus

Reply
Jan 2, 2016 08:22:50   #
Digger1 Loc: Minneapolis, Minnesota
 
Hi RT - I leave my ISO at 6400 all the time. The attached picture has some cropping and a little color boost. I was lucky in this gym because it was brighter than most. I maybe delete 50% of my shots because of flaws of one kind or another.

Vinnie
Vinnie...
(Download)

Reply
 
 
Jan 2, 2016 12:11:39   #
Jules Karney Loc: Las Vegas, Nevada
 
This is really a nice shot. Wow at iso6400 there isn't much noise at all. What settings, camera, etc. did you use?

Reply
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.
Sports Photography
UglyHedgehog.com - Forum
Copyright 2011-2024 Ugly Hedgehog, Inc.