New to Sports Photography section: Greetings fellow Sports Photographers.... I am new to this section but not new to the general section. I am happy and excited to converse with fellow...

docphoto Loc: Illinois

Greetings fellow Sports Photographers.... I am new to this section but not new to the general section. I am happy and excited to converse with fellow sports photographers and discuss new techniques and suggestions as to how we as a group can get the best sports photos for personal and professional use. For my sports photography I use two NIKON D4s, with NIKON lens 24mm-70mm 2.8; 80-200mm 2.8 VR, 200mm AF 2.0; 300mmAF 2.8; 400mm AF 2.8: and 600mm AF 4.0. The only reason why I have the various lens is because of the sporting events I photograph ie ( Football 24-70mm, 400mm and 600mm; Baseball 200mmAF 2.0 , 400mm AF 2.8 24-70 AF 2.8; Basketball 85mm 1.4; 35mm 1.4, 200mm; Hockey 400mm AF 2.8). I appreciate all critiques and suggestions. "You are never to old to learn" :-) . THANK YOU for letting me be a part of this section and other sections. I have attached some photos from my sports portfolio.Please feel free to download the photos as the color at times is not as true as the original.
To all have a wonderful and safe Thanksgiving.....

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Jay Pat Loc: Round Rock, Texas, USA

Great series!!!!
In the last one, looks like a "intense" conversation......
Pat

docphoto Loc: Illinois

THANK YOU Pat...
Actually this was the first time I have ever shot hockey.
I always wanted to get a picture of the "knock em- sock em" fights ( Although I'm a nonviolent person...lol)

Tom DePuy Loc: Waxhaw, N.C.

Great set ...
The last one makes one wonder ...what was that conversation about....lol

docphoto Loc: Illinois

Thanks...
I think they were arguing over who was going to knock each others teeth out FIRST...lol lol

docphoto Loc: Illinois

On the second basketball photo...you see you should ALWAYS wear a "protective cup"...Ouch !!

waltchilds Loc: Central Florida

These are all exceptional, well done and looking forward to seeing more of your work.

docphoto Loc: Illinois

THANK YOU...what is your sport that you enjoy shooting ???

Toby

Excellent shots. May I suggest that you list lens and setting on future posts?

docphoto Loc: Illinois

ABSOLUTELY...thank you and I will.
I appreciate the suggestion.

raymondh Loc: Walker, MI

Maybe new to the section but certainly not new to the specialty. These are professional quality captures.

Thomas902 Loc: Washington DC

docphoto you have a good eye for compositional elements and capturing decisive moments...
Most impressive is the diversity of venues and sporting events in your book...
Truly a pleasure to review your masterful captures...

As others have mentioned, looking forward to more of your sports action artistry...
Thank you so much for sharing...

Jules Karney Loc: Las Vegas, Nevada

docphoto wrote:

Greetings fellow Sports Photographers.... I am new... (show quote)

Hello docphoto:
What a great series of photos.
I shoot high school sports for Maxpreps. Right now my lens is a 70-200 2.8, 50 1.8, 18-140.
Question? I am limited to my reach without a 300 2.8 or 4.0. Any suggestions on football shooting, basketball would be appreciated.

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docphoto Loc: Illinois

Hi Jules...Thank you for opening up a sports photography dialogue. I love the two shots you sent. The first one is great, as is the second one. I'm sure his parents loved the one with his pants being pulled down...lol. In answer to your question about shooting football and basketball, Football first. You can use the 70-200 2.8 lens for football and I might suggest getting a teleconverter to extend your range. However, you will lose several stops which is not to bad if you shoot during the day. If your games are at night, using a teleconverter will limit the quality of your photos (slower speed but a higher ISO). When I shot college and NFL games, the rules apply to high school games also :(1) always kneel when shooting-use pads for your knees (2) shoot wide open 2.8 with the fastest speed you can ( at least 1/1000 or greater) (3) unless you want to move up and down the field, I would position myself in the end zone OR 10-20 yard line.(4) if you have 2 bodies, pre-focus the 50mm 1.8 on the goal line and if its a bright day you may want to use a greater depth of field to capture the player as he crosses the goal line.(5) always be aware of your background ie no empty stands, which is why you shoot wide open. These are things I learned from photo editors and other professional photographers when I shot NFL and college teams. High school Basketball is different and can be difficult as I mentioned in my previous post. You have the right lens ( the 50mm 1.8) for shooting on the floor in the corner (so you get all the lay ups).Use high ISO 2500-3200, as the lighting in those gyms are typically poor. Also the 70-200mm is good for shots as they come running towards you from down court. I was told you should always get the expression of the player and the ball in focus. It should be "tack sharp" which is why you need to shoot as fast as you can ( 5-8 frames/sec). I think the bottom line is ....shoot lots of photos !! That's how I learned. I don't know where you live but if you give your photos to a local newspaper in return I would ask them to get you a sideline pass to shoot a college or even a professional game. That's how I got started 30 years ago. I hope this helps. Please feel free to continue to discuss any concerns or suggestions you might have.For me football is my favorite. The hardest photographs for me to master was NASCAR and hockey...and I'm still perfecting them. I'll be happy to provide my home # if you want to discuss it detail....Enjoy the holiday

Jules Karney Loc: Las Vegas, Nevada

docphoto wrote:

Hi Jules...Thank you for opening up a sports photography dialogue. I love the two shots you sent. The first one is great, as is the second one. I'm sure his parents loved the one with his pants being pulled down...lol. In answer to your question about shooting football and basketball, Football first. You can use the 70-200 2.8 lens for football and I might suggest getting a teleconverter to extend your range. However, you will lose several stops which is not to bad if you shoot during the day. If your games are at night, using a teleconverter will limit the quality of your photos (slower speed but a higher ISO). When I shot college and NFL games, the rules apply to high school games also :(1) always kneel when shooting-use pads for your knees (2) shoot wide open 2.8 with the fastest speed you can ( at least 1/1000 or greater) (3) unless you want to move up and down the field, I would position myself in the end zone OR 10-20 yard line.(4) if you have 2 bodies, pre-focus the 50mm 1.8 on the goal line and if its a bright day you may want to use a greater depth of field to capture the player as he crosses the goal line.(5) always be aware of your background ie no empty stands, which is why you shoot wide open. These are things I learned from photo editors and other professional photographers when I shot NFL and college teams. High school Basketball is different and can be difficult as I mentioned in my previous post. You have the right lens ( the 50mm 1.8) for shooting on the floor in the corner (so you get all the lay ups).Use high ISO 2500-3200, as the lighting in those gyms are typically poor. Also the 70-200mm is good for shots as they come running towards you from down court. I was told you should always get the expression of the player and the ball in focus. It should be "tack sharp" which is why you need to shoot as fast as you can ( 5-8 frames/sec). I think the bottom line is ....shoot lots of photos !! That's how I learned. I don't know where you live but if you give your photos to a local newspaper in return I would ask them to get you a sideline pass to shoot a college or even a professional game. That's how I got started 30 years ago. I hope this helps. Please feel free to continue to discuss any concerns or suggestions you might have.For me football is my favorite. The hardest photographs for me to master was NASCAR and hockey...and I'm still perfecting them. I'll be happy to provide my home # if you want to discuss it detail....Enjoy the holiday

Hi Jules...Thank you for opening up a sports photo... (show quote)

Hi docphoto. I live in Las Vegas and shoot high school sports like I said. I was approved by Maxpreps to shoot daytime sports only. However I tried girl's vollyball with Noiseware. My first concern is photo quality getting shots tack sharp and trying to fill the frame for clarity, trying not to bring up the subject with cropping. I forgot the vollyball shots were approved for a Maxpreps.com https://t.co/NhDlJMBsLZ gallery.
I sure appreciate your imput, good or not so good. I can take it. I want to better. How much quality (sharpness) would I have to sacrifice with a tele-converter?
Have a great holiday. On this website I believe there is a private message. Your email and or phone number would be great.
Jules

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