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Oct 18, 2017 06:32:04   #
jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY
 
GRosenberg wrote:
I am an amateur photographer and have been trying to take sport photos of my daughter's university team. I have a Canon EOS 70D with an EF 70-300 mm 1:4-5:6 lens. I am shooting raw and using the automatic screen mode for sports fast action. It automatically sets the ISO and shutter speed. I also use a monopod for stabilization. Of course, the lighting is rather erratic on the field; shooting sometimes during the day, sometimes at night. I'm not real pleased with the majority of my photos, they appear slightly fuzzy. Can someone suggest ways that I can improve my photos, please? Thank you for any assistance given.
I am an amateur photographer and have been trying ... (show quote)


Welcome to our forum!

Probably the most difficult thing in photography is getting sharp focus. Exposure can be adjusted by a wide range, but not focus. Without rambling on about everything that's involved in focusing, I'll post some links that should help.

http://www.lightstalking.com/these-steps-will-help-you-nail-focus-every-time/
http://www.digitalcameraworld.com/2012/10/01/best-camera-focus-techniques-10-surefire-ways-to-get-sharp-photos/
http://www.thephoblographer.com/2015/03/28/how-to-get-the-best-autofocus-performance-from-your-camera/

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Oct 18, 2017 07:36:14   #
mas24 Loc: Southern CA
 
Welcome to the forum. I shoot kids soccer games during the summertime, from the sidelines with an inexpensive Nikon prime 50mm f1.8. It works great in daylight hours. I get a FOV of 75mm on my crop sensor. I don't own one yet, but your best bet for a sports lens are the 24-70mm f2.8 and the 70-200mm f2.8. Great for day/night sports games. They aren't cheap lenses though. In the meantime you can always make the best with other slower lenses. Around f4.

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Oct 18, 2017 07:40:10   #
Starphotog
 
I whole hearted agree with crazydidio! Ive been a professional sports photographer and photo journalist for over 40yrs and have logged 494 college football games from California to Florida with many, many NCAA national championships in between! I shoot exactly the same as crazydiddio stated!! Back in film days it was different as it was different before auto ISO was added. But a rule of thumb now is high shutter speed ( nothing below 1000 for me as I use a 1DX II and low f-stop..2.8, 4 or 5.6 depending in the lens being used )

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Oct 18, 2017 07:58:45   #
mikeroetex Loc: Lafayette, LA
 
GRosenberg wrote:
I am an amateur photographer and have been trying to take sport photos of my daughter's university team. I have a Canon EOS 70D with an EF 70-300 mm 1:4-5:6 lens. I am shooting raw and using the automatic screen mode for sports fast action. It automatically sets the ISO and shutter speed. I also use a monopod for stabilization. Of course, the lighting is rather erratic on the field; shooting sometimes during the day, sometimes at night. I'm not real pleased with the majority of my photos, they appear slightly fuzzy. Can someone suggest ways that I can improve my photos, please? Thank you for any assistance given.
I am an amateur photographer and have been trying ... (show quote)

Crazydaddio gave you great settings to start. You may have camera shake or maybe just a lot of noise from high ISO. As for technique, I would only add two things: 1) early on I would get excited and jam the shutter hard trying to catch the action. I learned that the faster they move, to take a deep breath and slow my reaction so my shutter roll was smooth, and 2) that the monopod was a hindrance to being smooth. I was told by a pro that they only use the monopod to rest between plays, because often they have big heavy lenses. But they pick the camera up to shoot. I cast the monopod aside and my keepers improved. Now, my arms and shoulders ache after awhile, so I just get more selective (depending on game situation) about when I lift the camera to shoot. Sports is one of the toughest subjects to shoot, but most fun. Good luck!

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Oct 18, 2017 08:08:44   #
JCam Loc: MD Eastern Shore
 
[quote=crazydaddio]Comprehensive as usual. Great feedback !

Q: "When I saw the table, I was confused about the declining ss needed as focal range/distance increased. I find that I need to keep the ss very high when at full zoom as i sometimes pan the football as it is thrown to the reciever. (Sometimes I watch the QBs face to see where he is going to throw, guess the receiver, lock in and wait for the ball to arrive. In this case, I can use a lower ss.)"

I agree and thought that the table's shutter speeds were generally too low for fast or even medium speeds of the subject. I would also much rather set the shutter to a maximum speed I expect to need for the session and leave it there; one less thing to keep in mind unless conditions change dramatically. Let the camera "worry" about the f-stop and ISO. If necessary the shutter speed can be changed quickly--only one wheel and no buttons to push. All the other "stuff", except focus, will adjust themselves. By using "center spot focus", the OP will know exactly where it is focusing and not picking something larger away from the center that he/she/you or I may not have even noticed when shooting.
.

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Oct 18, 2017 10:04:01   #
Gampa
 
E L Shapiro’s recommendations are spot on!

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Oct 18, 2017 11:56:28   #
amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA
 
GRosenberg wrote:
....I'm not real pleased with the majority of my photos, they appear slightly fuzzy....


There are a number of possible causes of "soft" images...

It would be very helpful if you could post some examples of the images where you are seeing the problem, with the EXIF intact, so that we can identify the problem or at least narrow it down to a few possibilities.

It also would be helpful to know which specific 70-300mm lens you're using. Canon has have produced at least four or five different ones.

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Oct 18, 2017 13:58:46   #
sirlensalot Loc: Arizona
 
Guessing most of the problem is your lens and auto mode. Lens is too slow for most or all night sports shooting. Been there, done that. Faster lens (for night), Manual mode, AI Servo, wider aperture which will allow a higher shutter speed, highest FPS camera will allow, not uncommon to use 3200 ISO or higher for night shots. Agree with previous post - about 1/800 SS is minimum. If you're shooting JPEG, try to set WB, but better (I think) to shoot in RAW and adjust in PP.
Best advice - take it out of auto (sports) mode.
Suggest looking at some of the youtube tutorials on shooting sports. There are some very good ones out there.

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Oct 18, 2017 14:27:31   #
imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida
 
GRosenberg wrote:
I am an amateur photographer and have been trying to take sport photos of my daughter's university team. I have a Canon EOS 70D with an EF 70-300 mm 1:4-5:6 lens. I am shooting raw and using the automatic screen mode for sports fast action. It automatically sets the ISO and shutter speed. I also use a monopod for stabilization. Of course, the lighting is rather erratic on the field; shooting sometimes during the day, sometimes at night. I'm not real pleased with the majority of my photos, they appear slightly fuzzy. Can someone suggest ways that I can improve my photos, please? Thank you for any assistance given.
I am an amateur photographer and have been trying ... (show quote)


Test your camera/lens to make sure you are getting the best possible focus. If you are using a "protective" filter, remove it. Consider getting the latest Canon 70-300 IS II nano lens. As mentioned, consider shooting JPEGS to speed up your camera functions.

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Oct 18, 2017 14:36:45   #
leftj Loc: Texas
 
tresap23 wrote:
I have the same camera, and I am no where near "professional", but do have experience using this camera. I too, have shot sports photography of my granddaughters softball games in the daytime, basketball games indoors, and soccer games outdoors at night. If you are not comfortable with manual mode, I suggest you use P mode, which allows you to change your ISO, but sets the aperture and shutter speed for you. This way you can adjust the ISO accordingly. For myself, when shooting outdoors, in daylight, sunny conditions, an ISO of around 2000 (for me) gives me pretty good pictures, without too much noise. The higher the ISO, can sometimes mean more noise (graininess) to the pictures. Also, you can shoot in HDR and turn on noise reduction. HDR takes several images at different exposures and merges them all together, to give you the proper overall exposure. But I'd suggest live view when doing this, not using the view finder. I "read" as much as I can. I actually read more than I get to practice, as I am busy all the time and do the reading at night, after I have done all I have to do for work and home. There are "many" articles and You Tube videos, all you have to do is google them. When you do, make sure you put in your camera make and model, then your question about shooting sports photography under different lighting situations, so you get the best advice for "your" camera, and not just basic generalization. Take some notes on index cards for different settings and different lighting situations, laminate them, and put them on a metal ring, and hang them from your camera bag/belt or whatever is easiest, and carry them with you. That way you can refer back to them. There is a such thing as "information overload", and it is hard to remember everything you have read. If you have time, I'd practice, "before" an important game, maybe go to one of her practices, or a local game near you, and play with your settings. I am "still" learning, and I still mess up. But I "make" myself shoot in manual and work with my settings as much as possible, so I can learn. I hardly ever shoot in Auto anymore. Hope some of this helps, and good luck with your photography! Please share some pics with us!
I have the same camera, and I am no where near &qu... (show quote)

ISO in bright daylight sunny conditions! I don’t think so.

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Oct 18, 2017 17:30:59   #
burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC
 
GRosenberg wrote:
I am an amateur photographer and have been trying to take sport photos of my daughter's university team. I have a Canon EOS 70D with an EF 70-300 mm 1:4-5:6 lens. I am shooting raw and using the automatic screen mode for sports fast action. It automatically sets the ISO and shutter speed. I also use a monopod for stabilization. Of course, the lighting is rather erratic on the field; shooting sometimes during the day, sometimes at night. I'm not real pleased with the majority of my photos, they appear slightly fuzzy. Can someone suggest ways that I can improve my photos, please? Thank you for any assistance given.
I am an amateur photographer and have been trying ... (show quote)


Read the sections of your camera manual that have to do with focus. Choosing the correct AF point(s) and AF mode are the keys to sharply FOCUSED sports photos.

Another key is using a shutter speed fast enough to handle the action, and to counter the magnification of camera shake that occurs at long focal lengths. With that lens, without IS (image stabilization), you need a shutter speed of 1/500 second or faster! Either use Shutter Priority (Tv) or Manual with Auto ISO if the camera will do that. (i.e.; Set the shutter and aperture, and let ISO float with the light level). The 70D is really clean to ISO 1000. It can probably handle ISO 1600 or so with reasonably low noise you can remove in post-production. But I'd worry about noise if I had to work at speeds of 3200 or any higher.

That is a pretty slow lens. Action photography is best with f/2.8 fixed maximum aperture zooms or primes, which tend to be VERY expensive. Using a lens with IS can also help, by reducing the effect of camera shake. IS won't help with action stopping ability. It only helps stop camera shake.

One technique you can use is to pre-focus the lens. Point the focusing sensor at the area where the action is going to be. Either use back-button focus, or press the shutter half-way down to lock exposure and focus on that point. Then keep holding it, recompose, and follow the action until it gets where you want it. Fire away!

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Oct 18, 2017 18:24:25   #
raymondh Loc: Walker, MI
 
I think the most important things are shutter speed & maintaining your focal point. Depending on the light, I keep sp between 1/1000 & 1/1600.
Typically, my Canon is set on manual, sp - 1/1250, aperture F5.6 ( lower / higher depending on the lens I'm using & shot I'm trying to get) and ISO @ Auto.
I use AI or Servo for focus mode. I think sometimes you have to anticipate action. If I think a runner might steal, I'm inclined to pre-focus on the base.
I'm not sure what's available on your model, but the 7D2 & 5D3 have buried in the Menu a place where you can adjust the tracking sensitivity for the type of action your shooting.

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Oct 18, 2017 20:13:57   #
MidnightManiac
 
Shot a fall baseball game last week. 7DmarkII, Canon L 70-200mm f4 lens. Used manual settings on a bright sunny day, 200 ISO, f8, 1/500, single focus. Results were face in focus ball and bat showing motion, which is what I wanted. The 10 FPS is a great asset to this camera for sports photography, that's why I purchased it a couple years ago. For action.

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Oct 18, 2017 20:59:32   #
rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA
 
GRosenberg wrote:
I am an amateur photographer and have been trying to take sport photos of my daughter's university team. I have a Canon EOS 70D with an EF 70-300 mm 1:4-5:6 lens. I am shooting raw and using the automatic screen mode for sports fast action. It automatically sets the ISO and shutter speed. I also use a monopod for stabilization. Of course, the lighting is rather erratic on the field; shooting sometimes during the day, sometimes at night. I'm not real pleased with the majority of my photos, they appear slightly fuzzy. Can someone suggest ways that I can improve my photos, please? Thank you for any assistance given.
I am an amateur photographer and have been trying ... (show quote)

As usual, people are ready to give lots of advice without having any actual information.

That is great ... but the quick route to specific advice would be to for you to post several of the problem photos here.

Click “Choose File”, select the picture, check “(store original)”, and then click “Add Attachment” - and the picture is added to your post.

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Oct 22, 2017 00:11:34   #
tresap23 Loc: Texas
 
leftj wrote:
ISO in bright daylight sunny conditions! I don’t think so.


You must not have read further, where I corrected myself?? I added one too many zeros. But thanks for reprimanding me!

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