GLSmith Loc: Tampa, Fl

Know ahead of time where you are allowed to walk & position yourself, Take sample shots with various settings & lenses. As previously mentioned lighting can be horrific. Check out the lighting, is it a typical florescent or high pressure sodium lighting system, or has a switch been made to LED. If florescent, seriously consider getting a florescent light filter if you do not have one. Remember not to only focus on the players & action, but shoot the fans, the cheerleaders & shots of the coach & players huddling, banners of previous winning years, retired numbers, score clock & also concession areas.

frankraney Loc: Clovis, Ca.

and take a few shots.

SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

A lot of good advice here. The technical aspects of shooting sports are pretty much the same, especially at night, whether indoors or out. You know what you need in shutter speed, aperture and ISO. The key is understanding the sport and being able to anticipate action. And as you shoot the same teams you’ll also get to know individual players and even better anticipate.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

Basketball will be indoors... which should be no problem with your camera and lenses.

However, be sure to enable "Anti-Flicker" on the camera. You might already be aware, the lighting in many arenas and gymnasiums is a type that rapidly cycles on and off, wreaking havoc on photo exposures! The Anti-Flicker feature found on most Canon cameras since 2014 does an excellent job solving that problem. Venues I used to shoot before Anti-Flicker I'd see as many as half of my images poorly exposed, due to that lighting. With Anti-Flicker I now see almost no images with exposure problems. At least not due to the lighting.

In case you aren't aware how it works, Anti-Flicker detects the lighting cycle and times shutter release with the peak output of the lights. You might be concerned this would cause a perceptible delay, but I only very rarely notice any at all. Still, I turn off Anti-Flicker when it's not needed... I only use it when "shooting under the lights".

Edit: This doesn't address color temperature or tint. That is handled separately and will likely be different in every venue you shoot. A custom white balance might be necessary. There is a special "Minus Green" target for fluorescent lighting in the Warm Cards set I've used, that works pretty well in some cases: https://www.vortexmediastore.com/pages/warmcards-white-balance-system

MJPerini

I shot division 1 Basketball a number of years ago . It is not easy, and you have to know the game and players.
You'll need a press credential for big schools /arenas. Where you get to sit makes a lot of difference , on the floor in the corners near the key. 2 cameras is fine 70-200 & wide, if you want nice light you need flash , though now not everyone uses it. You need to be able to move quickly -it's dangerous for you and your cameras .
As with all sports , knowing the game and team is very important . You have to set up for stuff to happen, different players have favorite spots. when the action is near your basket its 24-70, the other basket & break aways 70-200.
No time to switch cameras during a play, and lots of big people will be in your way. You need to keep track of captions. Every time they come to your basket there is the transition, a pass, a setup ,a shot a rebound , about half of that will be blocked each time because mostly you only get action on your side of the basket. If the action moves away from your side of the basket Think Rebound. Mostly you get the shots you anticipate.
If you are getting crap , get some of popular players with the ball in their hand , or passing.
We used to be able to put a remote camera in some arenas, if you're blocked and it is a big shot, an overhead is better than nothing. Don't block other guy's space. I hope that helps a bit.

cascom Loc: Redmond

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Paul Diamond Loc: Atlanta, GA, USA

You can't be a "pro" at shooting different sports or weddings, product photography, etc. without doing it, making mistakes and learning from them.

I'd introduce myself to one of the assistant coaches, tell them that you want/need to shoot one of their upcoming games and ask permission to shoot a practice of the team. Get a visual feeling for the layups at the hoop, foul line shooting, etc. You get this experience by doing it. - Ask if the lighting they are using are the same lights used when the game is being held (usually not). And ask if the higher intensity lights can be turned on for this practice and your shoot. -

Sugar vs Vinegar - Offer to share your best with the Asst. Coach/team after you have had the time to review them, etc. Not suggesting free prints are necessary. And you can share a digital image with your watermark on it, if you want.

lensmaster Loc: Chicago

IF you have never actually SEEN a basketball game live....you are in way over your head.
Same goes for if you never shot action, especially indoors.

Save yourself embarrassment and a bad reputation and pass on the opportunity offered.

Rather you say no than either not being able to deliver decent images, or deliver substandard work and that reputation will follow you for years.

cascom Loc: Redmond

Good suggestions and great photos. You have what appears to be a jump ball shot from above of the Fireballs vs Tallahassee. I think that would be good enough to make a cover in Referee Magazine. You need the referee's name and hometown to submit. Go to Referee.com for more information. The pay is not great $40 inside and $100 for a cover. You can see examples of published shots on my website. Just google my name.

Dale Garvey

Resqu2 Loc: SW Va

The Director is well aware that this is my first basketball game, I made that very clear. He seems like a great guy and basically told me you have to start somewhere and the games he’s given me are the first games of the season. Kind of a test of sorts.

He knows upfront that I’m into Track & Field and I have worked the finish line of a USA T&F National Championship so fast action is not a problem but I completely understand what your saying in your post. I will be reading and watching all the great advice passed on to me in this post. I’m also going to try to shoot a high school game just to get the feel of it.

Extreme54 Loc: Clarkston, Michigan

I shot for several high schools when I shot for a paper.
Use a zoom lens. You can’t move so change zoom from close court to far court.

ELNikkor

Set your camera to auto ISO and longest shutter speed 1/500 sec. to start with, that is minimum to stop most of the action. Shoot wide open and you might get faster shutter speeds, depending on the lighting. Move around, some under the basket, some from sidelines.

rcorne001 Loc: Cary, NC

Thanks, Dale. I assume you were talking about my photos. A little late for getting the ref's name from that game, but I will definitely get them in the future. If not my Firebird photos, well nevermind! LOL!

-Rick

Resqu2 Loc: SW Va

Yes he had to be referring to your amazing work. I have looked at a bunch and will finish looking around tonight I hope.

cascom Loc: Redmond

I take a group shot of the referees and ask for their names and hometowns. I keep an excel spreadsheet of when I photographed them. You can also get their names from the box score. I also know the assignor who can help with a good shot. Subscribe to the free referee newsletter to get an idea of the photos they use. Referee does all sports.
https://bethroberts.zenfolio.com/