Mi630

This is my first attempt at girls volleyball. Two local teams met to decide which team goes to state. (The girls in the gray shirts won.) I took my Canon 5D Mark IV with the Canon 70-200 f/2.8 figuring I needed a faster lens for the gym lighting. Boy I was right on that. With shutter speed between 1/400 and 1/640 I was getting auto ISO around 6400. I ran these through LR 5 and then Topaz Denoise and got some good results. Anyone with experience shooting volleyball please chime in with any suggestions. Such as where to shoot from. I settled on higher up near center line. I don’t know if there is a better position. I didn’t try to get on the floor. I thought lower down the net would get in the way and the camera would focus on the net.
Most of the pictures I got were either action at the net or serving. I would love to have gotten some pictures of digs but the action is so fast that I quickly gave up on that. I assume to get a picture of a dig I would have to isolate on a girl in the back row and hope. Anyway it was fun and am really starting to like girls volleyball. I live an hour away from Iowa City and see that Nebraska is going to play Iowa Saturday. Nebraska is always one of the best teams in the country.
Anyway, sorry for the long ramble. One last thing... these girls are AMAZING athletes.

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insman1132 Loc: Southwest Florida

Hey!!! What a wonderful first effort. Well done. Anxious to see the suggestions you get from our experienced volleyball shooters.

Mi630

Thanks. I hope to get some tips from them also.

jederick Loc: Northern Utah

Great photos considering the high ISO's you were shooting!!

Joe Blow

Our rug rat graduated and is now in college. I did many of her basketball and softball photos. Trust me, you will always miss that best shot because you're watching a great game.

For BB I would alternate where I would sit. Being on good terms with the coach and team, I would often sit on the floor beside the bench. I would also sit in the ends and high in the stands usually on the stairs. Where ever you sit will give a different perspective. There is no wrong place so don't be afraid to try different spots. One suggestion though is be careful not to block other's view.

One trick I used was to slightly lower my camera but keep it against my face. My eye would be just above and in line, following the action. That way I had a good view of the court and could quickly bring the camera to my eye without needing to search for the target through the view finder. Also, I would take a wider angle shot of my target and crop in post. It is pretty difficult to center on your subject in fast action.

While a 640 shutter should be fast enough, I would set the ISO at 6400 or 12000 and aperture at around 4.0. Hopefully that would allow a shutter of 1000. It may be just me, but I find a grainy photo better than a photo with blurred action. Even just one blurred arm or ball can disappoint me. That though is me and if that doesn't bother you then go with what turns your crank. Sitting far enough away, an aperture of 4.0 should give a large enough DOF to keep the action in focus.

Take lots of shots. Don't be afraid to use burst in order to get action shots.

Just remember, there is no one best way. If something works for you then go with it. Enjoy what you do and share with the team and parents.

BTW, you got some nice shots already.

67skylark27 Loc: Fort Atkinson, WI

I am glad to see you enjoyed shooting volleyball, it's an excellent and
exciting sport to watch and photograph! My daughter has been playing
for quite awhile and I started shooting her team about 4 years ago. Please
read these posts in the Sports Photography section. These have helped
quite a few shooters now. Very quick advice, get close and focus on
one player or type of play at a time. Learn the flow of the game
and make your settings during the warm ups. Shoot the jubilation
coaches and bench players for a full feel of the match! Good luck and have fun!

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Mi630

Exactly what I am looking for. Thank you.

Mi630

Thanks for the info and the links.

67skylark27 Loc: Fort Atkinson, WI

Please post more as you get them!

FiddleMaker Loc: Merrimac, MA

Really excellent actions shots. Images very sharp and clear.

jaymatt Loc: Alexandria, Indiana

Excellent captures!
Volleyball has become my favorite team sport to watch.

yssirk123 Loc: New Jersey

Great first attempt with excellent sharpness and color!

Earnest Botello Loc: Hockley, Texas

Very good action shots.

psalom

girls seem to play with more intensity than boys

PAR4DCR Loc: A Sunny Place

You captured some good action shots Mi630. Gym lighting is typically very bad. I shot my grand daughter playing volleyball at the AAU Tournament in Orlando. My ISO at the Orange County Convention Center was between 8000 and 10000 in order to keep shots sharp.

Don