Rodeo - Indoor Action Shots: I would appreciate some advise on indoor action shots. These were shot in an indoor arena with a Canon T6 55-250mm F5.6 SS 160 ISO 1600 and AI Focus. I...

kenievans Loc: Dallas

I would appreciate some advise on indoor action shots. These were shot in an indoor arena with a Canon T6 55-250mm F5.6 SS 160 ISO 1600 and AI Focus. I shot from the first row right next to the action and then higher up in the stands. I was working on my manual mode skills. I needed to get my shutter speed up to catch the action but struggled with the lighting. I tried using Auto Action but the SS was not fast enough. I ended up deciding to underexpose them and fix that in pp so I could use a faster shutter speed. Obviously I got a lot of noise with the higher ISO but still could not stop all of the motion blur on the the edges of the action. I am assuming that was due to such a large aperture. I have attached three shots after post production and one straight out of the camera. My pp skills are not great but that topic is for another day.

What could I have done differently? Is my equipment just not up to it? They look good on my cell phone but I want to be better than that. Your expert advise would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

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vonzip Loc: cape cod

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vonzip Loc: cape cod

vonzip wrote:

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Maybe a monopod, if allowed, would of helped any movement on your part. Other than that you have to use the highest shutter speed and smallest aperture(dof)and a iso that works. This is a learning adventure. vz

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Hi Keni. There is a sports photography section on UHH that has a few topics on indoor action, if you want to check it out:
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/s-103-1.html

Unfortunately, the Rebel and that lens are not going to be very forgiving in low light (high ISO). I would concentrate on the shutter speed needed to stop action, unless you're interested in blur for the effect of motion (there is a rodeo thread in that sports section that did some of that).

Regarding aperture and depth of field, take a look here:
http://www.dofmaster.com/dofjs.html
You may want to try a few experimental wider shots and crop.

Good noise reducing software and/or "playful pp" are other options to consider.

kenievans Loc: Dallas

Linda From Maine wrote:

Hi Keni. There is a sports photography section on ... (show quote)

Thank you Linda. I will check out that section.

Tom DePuy Loc: Waxhaw, N.C.

kenievans wrote:

I would appreciate some advise on indoor action sh... (show quote)

My guess is that your lens is not fast enough f5.6 for indoors.....Probably in need of at least 2.8
Oh ...love your last photo..

kenievans Loc: Dallas

Tom DePuy wrote:

My guess is that your lens is not fast enough f5.6 for indoors.....Probably in need of at least 2.8
Oh ...love your last photo..

Thank you Tom. It appears I brought a knife to a gun fight. It is true you get what you pay for and I have a "budget" lens although it is one of the better less expensive lenses Canon makes based on the reviews. Time to start hinting for that Christmas present.

Tom DePuy Loc: Waxhaw, N.C.

kenievans wrote:

Thank you Tom. It appears I brought a knife to a gun fight. It is true you get what you pay for and I have a "budget" lens although it is one of the better less expensive lenses Canon makes based on the reviews. Time to start hinting for that Christmas present.

Lol......one is on my Christmas list also....I try shooting basketball and high school and rec gyms do no have good lighting whatsoever....I took the liberty of downloading that last photo and lighting it up some ...would you like me to post it?

kenievans Loc: Dallas

Tom DePuy wrote:

Lol......one is on my Christmas list also....I try shooting basketball and high school and rec gyms do no have good lighting whatsoever....I took the liberty of downloading that last photo and lighting it up some ...would you like me to post it?

Yes please feel free to post it. I would love to see it.

Tom DePuy Loc: Waxhaw, N.C.

kenievans wrote:

Yes please feel free to post it. I would love to see it.

Here you go....
Your photo's are actually pretty decent, except for that little bit of motion blur ...

kenievans Loc: Dallas

Thanks Tom! Some days I think I am starting to get a handle on this photography thing and then some days I wonder if they are just happy accidents. I can do really good shots of the birds at my bird feeder but one can only take so many pictures of house finches.

fredtoo Loc: Houston

you obviously have the eye for it (you can't buy that at the camera store), you just need to find
what it takes to freeze the action.

Still these are nice shots.

trackmag

Before you place any lens on Santa's list, rent a 70-200 f 2.8 and try it out. The latest one from Nikon is wonderful and the best lens on the market for sports shots (indoor or outdoor) such as these. Have fun.

jaymatt Loc: Alexandria, Indiana

For these kinds of shots, be sure to select shutter speed first--you need a fast one.

kenievans Loc: Dallas

fredtoo wrote:

you obviously have the eye for it (you can't buy that at the camera store), you just need to find
what it takes to freeze the action.

Still these are nice shots.

Thank you Fred.