I'm New Here...
Sep 14, 2018 11:34:51 #
jlocke
Loc: Austin, TX
Looking forward to catching up with all that's been happening with photography. I used to be very active in photography (years ago) when I was in the Navy. I still have 2 Canon 35mm film cameras and a Bronica medium format, but they haven't been used for many years. Have been using a Sony digital point-and-shoot for snapshots and such. My grandson plays hockey, and I've been shooting video of his games, not having any camera equipment up to the task of shooting in the rink. I've been relying on the occasional professional photographer at tournaments and such to get action shots of his play. This year he started playing Junior hockey (16-20 year olds) and I realized that I'm not likely to run into any pros shooting at his games. I've purchased a nice used Nikon D7000 and have an 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 lens and a 55-200mm f/4-5.6 lens. I plan on getting familiar with the camera using those lenses, and renting a 70-200mm f/2.8 lens later in the season to try my hand at some action shots.
I'm a little overwhelmed at all of the buttons, menus, and options available on the camera, but have a couple of good books and am slowly working my way through it. It's definitely a 'plus' to be able to adjust your ISO, rather than having to load a different film. I'm somewhat familiar with Photoshop, but had to get a book on processing digital photos to help me there, too. I'm always open to learning new things, so expect this to keep me occupied for quite some time!
I'm a little overwhelmed at all of the buttons, menus, and options available on the camera, but have a couple of good books and am slowly working my way through it. It's definitely a 'plus' to be able to adjust your ISO, rather than having to load a different film. I'm somewhat familiar with Photoshop, but had to get a book on processing digital photos to help me there, too. I'm always open to learning new things, so expect this to keep me occupied for quite some time!
Sep 14, 2018 11:35:56 #
Sep 14, 2018 11:36:22 #
Sep 14, 2018 11:54:03 #
Sep 14, 2018 12:14:20 #
Hi J-Locke, welcome.
1st, as a fellow hockey lover (Providence College Season Ticket Holder.....Go Friars!) I wouldn't be so sure about no pro photographers at the junior level. Many Div. 1 players come out of the juniors these days and those that don't come from the prep schools. So I would imagine scouts and pro photogs should be there at times. I'd pick their brains in addition to asking for pix.
FWIW I'm a newbie like you. I have a Canon EOS Rebel T3i, the 55mm lens that came with the camera, and a 300mm zoom I got for a song (used) from B&H. Don't ask me how I do it but I get some nice shots at PC's home rink, not so much when they're on the road, when I'm usually further away. I attribute that mostly to the size of the rink (small), where my tix are, where I'm comfortable going in the enemies rink (with all my PC garb), and the lighting.
I hear you about the camera's complexity and # of options. What I try to do is shoot as fast as possible to freeze action and reduce depth of field. Hardly ever shoot completely automatic or manual; instead the sports setting. I too am a refugee from film days (Canons like you) so try to remember that it's OK to experiment. And the beauty of that is that you'll probably be focusing on 1 player only.
There are others in this forum that have forgotten more about photography than I'll ever know and all are always available for questions and critiques. The collection of expertise here is amazing.
Mike
1st, as a fellow hockey lover (Providence College Season Ticket Holder.....Go Friars!) I wouldn't be so sure about no pro photographers at the junior level. Many Div. 1 players come out of the juniors these days and those that don't come from the prep schools. So I would imagine scouts and pro photogs should be there at times. I'd pick their brains in addition to asking for pix.
FWIW I'm a newbie like you. I have a Canon EOS Rebel T3i, the 55mm lens that came with the camera, and a 300mm zoom I got for a song (used) from B&H. Don't ask me how I do it but I get some nice shots at PC's home rink, not so much when they're on the road, when I'm usually further away. I attribute that mostly to the size of the rink (small), where my tix are, where I'm comfortable going in the enemies rink (with all my PC garb), and the lighting.
I hear you about the camera's complexity and # of options. What I try to do is shoot as fast as possible to freeze action and reduce depth of field. Hardly ever shoot completely automatic or manual; instead the sports setting. I too am a refugee from film days (Canons like you) so try to remember that it's OK to experiment. And the beauty of that is that you'll probably be focusing on 1 player only.
There are others in this forum that have forgotten more about photography than I'll ever know and all are always available for questions and critiques. The collection of expertise here is amazing.
Mike
Sep 14, 2018 12:21:18 #
jlocke wrote:
Looking forward to catching up with all that's bee... (show quote)
Welcome and thank you for your service, I shoot with a Sony DSC-HX400v myself and am quite happy with this camera. I always wonder about shooting in RAW, but JPEG will be fine unless something really dramatic happens in the RAW world to make that format the only way to go...Julian
Sep 14, 2018 12:56:29 #
jlocke wrote:
Welcome to the forum. Enjoy your D7000 and lenses you have. Don't get caught up in the latest craze...mirrorless. Thanks for your service. I was in the army and shoot with DSLR and enjoying taking images of my grandkids basketball, soccer, and gymnastics. Also love nature images. Getting anyLooking forward to catching up with all that's bee... (show quote)
terested in astro photography.
Sep 14, 2018 13:03:34 #
Hi Jlocke,
jared Polin, the allegedly controversial you tuber, has a feature shooting a Philly Flyers hockey game to show that the Canon EOS 6D Full Frame camera could actually do a good job. Along the way, the "Fro who Knows" provides a good tutorial on shooting Hockey. In addition, Jeff Cable the legendary Olympics Photographer has a video on the B&H Events Center on shooting Hockey in the Olympics. There is plenty of technique that can be learned and applied for the hobbyist and serious amateur photographer using more reasonably accessible equipment.
The key to shooting indoor sports is the combination of a variety of lighting conditions, light flicker--especially in the sodium lights. For Hockey, like other ice and snow sports, attention needs to be paid to the reflectivity of the white background. However, that white foreground can provide reflected light to show faces in detail and isolate a player against a blank white background. Nothing like practising to get the exposure right.
The other hockey issue is shooting through the glass surrounding the rink. You sound like you've conquered that issue for the home games. Since, for Junior Hockey, the fans are largely friends and family, they don't really care if that great shot if the promising young athlete is taken fy friend or foe (not really a biggie at this level beneath the surface). Since access to the Photographer's lens holes may be at a premium, I suggest that you show your best work to the organizers and offer to make your photos available to both teams in exchange for "privileges" to the holes, and freedom of movement like a press photographer.
There is a ton of material on shooting sports and even a bunch on Hockey. Learn all you can, and experiment for best results withthe gear you have. The more your photos are available to the players and their families, and the rinks, the more welcome and "privileged" you will become.
It sounds like you've got an appropriate rig, concentrate on getting the best exposures and Post production noise reduction. With my old camera, in some of the venues with bad light requiring high ISO's all the kids looked like they had measles! PP fixed most of them. Remember, perfect practise makes some perfect pictures.
BTW: Junior Hockey is a Big Deal. By now those without talent have dropped out of competition. Good on your guy!
C
jared Polin, the allegedly controversial you tuber, has a feature shooting a Philly Flyers hockey game to show that the Canon EOS 6D Full Frame camera could actually do a good job. Along the way, the "Fro who Knows" provides a good tutorial on shooting Hockey. In addition, Jeff Cable the legendary Olympics Photographer has a video on the B&H Events Center on shooting Hockey in the Olympics. There is plenty of technique that can be learned and applied for the hobbyist and serious amateur photographer using more reasonably accessible equipment.
The key to shooting indoor sports is the combination of a variety of lighting conditions, light flicker--especially in the sodium lights. For Hockey, like other ice and snow sports, attention needs to be paid to the reflectivity of the white background. However, that white foreground can provide reflected light to show faces in detail and isolate a player against a blank white background. Nothing like practising to get the exposure right.
The other hockey issue is shooting through the glass surrounding the rink. You sound like you've conquered that issue for the home games. Since, for Junior Hockey, the fans are largely friends and family, they don't really care if that great shot if the promising young athlete is taken fy friend or foe (not really a biggie at this level beneath the surface). Since access to the Photographer's lens holes may be at a premium, I suggest that you show your best work to the organizers and offer to make your photos available to both teams in exchange for "privileges" to the holes, and freedom of movement like a press photographer.
There is a ton of material on shooting sports and even a bunch on Hockey. Learn all you can, and experiment for best results withthe gear you have. The more your photos are available to the players and their families, and the rinks, the more welcome and "privileged" you will become.
It sounds like you've got an appropriate rig, concentrate on getting the best exposures and Post production noise reduction. With my old camera, in some of the venues with bad light requiring high ISO's all the kids looked like they had measles! PP fixed most of them. Remember, perfect practise makes some perfect pictures.
BTW: Junior Hockey is a Big Deal. By now those without talent have dropped out of competition. Good on your guy!
C
Sep 14, 2018 17:43:04 #
Sep 15, 2018 02:44:08 #
Sep 15, 2018 06:47:58 #
Welcome and thank you for your service from another Navy vet!
Sep 15, 2018 08:47:50 #
Sep 15, 2018 09:02:03 #
Sep 15, 2018 09:45:23 #
Welcome to our forum. I was a little overwhelmed by my d7000 when I first bought it. Bought a manual, read sections, but mostly went out there with a small notebook and took lots of pics and made notes. Go out and shoot, shoot, shoot and have a great time. You served our country, now it’s time for you to enjoy.
Sep 15, 2018 14:09:44 #
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