MikeMck Loc: Southern Maryland on the Bay

I have a 6 year old grandson who plays hockey. In an effort to record his accomplishments for posterity, I am having difficulty finding an appropriate place to shoot his games. In the rinks he plays in, we have glass which more times than not have puck skid marks all over the glass. Above the glass we have a dark netting. I have tried to use auto focus when I was sitting in the bleachers, but, of course, they focus on the netting. I guess he trick to that is to use manual focusing. I have looked at the hockey shots on this site and they are outstanding. So, my question, what is the trick to shooting hockey besides fast speed and a 2.8 lens? Thanks in advance.

PAR4DCR Loc: A Sunny Place

I think there was a post yesterday with some hockey shots Mike. May be it will help you out. I asked about equipment and settings and the poster listed them. May be he can shed some light on how he was positioned for the images.

Don

MikeMck Loc: Southern Maryland on the Bay

Yes, I saw that. I was hoping I would get some hints from him. Thanks.

wayne-03 Loc: Minnesota

This is my website ( www.donhp.smugmug.com ), lots of Hockey pictures there. Many of the shoot were taken through the plastic guard. Look for a clean place (if there are any). Keep your lens as close to the plastic as possible. I keep my lens hood against the plastic.

Camera - Canon 7D
Lens - Canon 70/200 - 2.8
White Balance - ExpoDisk

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MikeMck Loc: Southern Maryland on the Bay

Fantastic shots. I guess there is really no tricks, just common sense and a 2.8 lens and fast speed. Thanks.

wayne-03 Loc: Minnesota

Some of it is in the post processing.

I always shoot in RAW and in processing I add up to 1 stop of exposure, add a little clarity, some noise reduction and make minor local adjustments.

In Photoshop I adjust the contrast, open the shadow areas, do a curves adjustment and sharpen.

Most of these things have been put into actions and are done with one click.

Good luck with your Hockey pictures.

Wayne

MikeMck Loc: Southern Maryland on the Bay

Thank you!

Mike77 Loc: Ontario

Hi Mike, there is no easy answer, or easy way thru the glass. As you said, it's usually all marked up, so it awfully difficult and most rinks now have the protective screening around which messes up your auto focus. You are best, especially with the young kids to ask if you can shoot from the bench or penalty box. As far as settings go, I use a 7d mark ii and the 70-200 is ii lens. I have had many other cameras and lens combo, in the past, but I think I am finally happy. Haha! It really does a nice job. I shoot at usually 1/500 at 2.8 and ISO 1600-2500, depending on the rink.

Hope this helps!

Mike

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MikeMck Loc: Southern Maryland on the Bay

Thank you.

There is nothing cuter than a bunch of 6 year olds in hockey equipment.

Mike77 Loc: Ontario

Can't agree more! As you can tell, by my photos, both my daughters also played, and still play, so there was a time, when I was the only parent in the stands. And a camera to boot. But now with my granddaughter, at least I have company!

Mike

MikeMck Loc: Southern Maryland on the Bay

About 15 years ago all the girls had to change either in their car or at home before they came. They didn't have locker rooms for girls.

Thank God all that has changed now.

In the US, the women's hockey team has a better record than the men's!!

Jaackil Loc: Massachusetts

Mike, I know I am really late to the game on this one but I shoot alot of Hockey. I have 3 sons that all play. I have shot Youth(which I think you are really refering to not Junior) High School, Prep School, Junior(which is U20) and college. Here are a couple of tips I have picked up from Pro's who were kind enough to share them with me.

While a 20-200 2.8 would be ideal. You can get good results with a 50mm 1.8. Your reach will be limited so shoot from a corner and capture the action infront of the net. By the way that is where you are most likely to get good action shots anyways
Dont be afraid to boost ISO to get high shutter speed. With a 50 1.8 you can shoot 2.0 or 2.2 and try to bump you shutter up to 800 or better. 1200 if you can get it is great.
Dont be afraid of noise with high ISO the lighting in rinks is horrible so high iso and noise is a fact of life. Better to have some grain and get the shot then not get the shot.
Shoot from the Blue line in. Experiment with different angles to see what gives you the best shots.
Shoot through the glass use a lens hood and get it right up against the glass(give you better focus)
Here is the difference maker at least for me. Shoot from the very bottom of the glass, you may have to kneel or get a chair or couple of milk crates but the area where the glass and the boards come together at the very bottom is usually the cleanest and has the least puck marks.
Good Luck

MikeMck Loc: Southern Maryland on the Bay

Thanks for your comments. I will certainly use them.