Japakomom Loc: Originally from the Last Frontier

I would really like to start a conversation on how sharp and how much noise is ok to have in sports photography. Especially in the low light scenarios of high school football, hockey with poor lighting, and other indoor sports with low lighting.

There are many different objectives and maybe that is where differences lie. Do you shoot for family and friends? A school or team? For publication? Or MaxPreps?

Personally, I am just a mom that shoots high school football games for the team. Most pictures are posted in an online album for the families, but the Seniors each year choose some of the pictures to go on a banner to be hung at the stadium. I have been approved to be a MaxPreps photographer but I have not taken the next steps yet to post my first online album for review. I know they can be very picky and I am a little afraid to just do it.

What is your philosophy in sharpness vs noise? What programs do you use to make the most of your work? (i.e. Lightroom, PhotoShop, or any other)

Maybe we can learn a little from each other.
Thanks!

tshift Loc: Overland Park, KS.

Just got my first 2 galleries posted by them). I looked at your flicker page and the sport shots are pretty good. I can tell you MaxPreps wants shots that are real tight (cropped in camera, fill frame, sharp image, check image @100% not to fit). Go for it, they will work with you to get what they want from your photos, real nice people all of them. Jim Redman,Todd Shurtleffs are both great. It may take a little while but don't give up. It is all worth it sports photograph is the greatest!! If they have approved your test gallery you are on the way. Take what they said about your test gallery and go for it and do exactly as they said. you can do it. Have fun always and shoot, shoot, shoot.

Tom

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

An out of focus image is virtually worthless, that is: one that is not "sharp" in focus. Technique and equipment are needed to capture a sharp image. You can address noise in processing. You cannot address out of focus, no matter what a software product attempts to claim. I see Lightroom referenced in your topic list. This tool has a lot of power. Consider spending some time in Google and on utube looking for advanced techniques on noise processing to leverage the LR capabilities. Third-party products have even more power. Shooting in RAW and exposing to the right (ETTR) as far as possible, regardless of the ISO, will generate an image that minimizes noise before you start processing.

docphoto Loc: Illinois

Check with "Hogger" Jules Karney. He is an excellent sports photographer and is a Maxprep user. I'm sure he can give you some pointers.

cjc2 Loc: Hellertown PA

In Sports Action photography, Focus is key. There's no way to fix focus and no work-a-round that will produce acceptable results. For work to be acceptable, IMHO, the image must include a face and a ball. There can be exceptions, but those are few and far between. This area of photography, especially night-time or indoor, is one that requires proper equipment and skill. Skill comes from experience. The only way to improve is to go out and shoot. After 50 years, I have both the skill and equipment; however, there are many much better at this. If you want to see what's expected, purchase a subscription to Sports Illustrated and concentrate on producing what you see. If you are a parent of an athlete, enjoy that experience and use what you have to record what you can. Remember, the more experience, the better your work will be. Best of luck.

docphoto Loc: Illinois

Agree with cjc2. A face and the ball !!You should be able to read the letters on the ball and see the players face...all should be "tack sharp". I spent 10 days photographing with Sports Illustrated photographers at an Olympic Festival and was told that tight shots, no distracting background, use knee pads if you can, and follow and if you can try to anticipate the action. Best of luck !!