I post process them in Lightroom 3. The shutter speeds vary based on where I am on the field. I think all of these except the shot of #5 (1/100) were shot at 1/1600. Most of the night, I think I was shooting at 1/320-1/640.
Honestly, the noise isn't really a factor for me. I've gotten stuck going because a nephew is playing on the local team and figured if I was stuck watching such a mindless sport I'd at least play around with my camera a bit. (sorry there isn't much I hate worse than football as sports go) I did a few panning shots at slower shutter speeds and lower ISO but just watching such a mindless game drains me. I was actually going to pack the camera away when some of the kids and parents started asking how they could get copies of the pictures. I just cranked up the ISO and shutter speed, switched to burst mode and just sprayed and prayed at 1/1600 because I knew action shots would sell and most football fans aren't going to find any noise at the size they will be using the pics. I sold some random prints from them and about 20 digital downloads at $10 each. Since the stadium is just up the road from my house, I can go til the half (which is about as long as I can take watching football!), quickly process the pics and upload them and by the time the kids and parents get home, they can download the pics and I make some easy money.
You should try shooting in AP, or manual. Using "shutter priority" isn't working out. Your F settings are all over the place; 4.5, 5.6, and :wow7.1:wow.
That's why your ISO had to be so high. You can't shoot night football at those F settings. Keep it around 2.8-3.5, and you'll get better, and more consistent results.
Also, you can't expect to shoot at 1/800 and 1/1600:wow in these venues.
In short, open your apeture, and slow down your SS, and you won't need such high ISO.
Honestly, the noise isn't really a factor for me. I've gotten stuck going because a nephew is playing on the local team and figured if I was stuck watching such a mindless sport I'd at least play around with my camera a bit. (sorry there isn't much I hate worse than football as sports go) I did a few panning shots at slower shutter speeds and lower ISO but just watching such a mindless game drains me. I was actually going to pack the camera away when some of the kids and parents started asking how they could get copies of the pictures. I just cranked up the ISO and shutter speed, switched to burst mode and just sprayed and prayed at 1/1600 because I knew action shots would sell and most football fans aren't going to find any noise at the size they will be using the pics. I sold some random prints from them and about 20 digital downloads at $10 each. Since the stadium is just up the road from my house, I can go til the half (which is about as long as I can take watching football!), quickly process the pics and upload them and by the time the kids and parents get home, they can download the pics and I make some easy money.
Is it just me or do you think he has more fun bashing football than trying to get CC on his picks. I think you are on the wrong forum. Personally I can't believe people are paying $10.00 for those pics w/ all the noise I guess thats the diffrence between you and me I take pride in my work and if I want people to spend $10.00 I want them to get pics I'm proud of not just a quick buck!
nipprdog, I sort of figured that out about shutter priority. Normally, I shoot in manual, but was playing around with shutter priority. I figured I'd play around a bit then just look and see what I got in post processing and look at the EXIF to see what the camera as doing. I was actually pretty surprised later to see that it was bumping up to f/9 with as little light as there was. Weird, but I've shot for several years and the other night was the first time I'd really touched anything other than manual mode. I don't think I'll use anything other than manual after that.
Oh, and some of the shots were at a higher F/stop because I had a 100-400F4.5L on the camera at times. Since it's not a constant aperture lens, anytime I zoomed the F stop crept up.
You should try shooting in AP, or manual. Using "shutter priority" isn't working out. Your F settings are all over the place; 4.5, 5.6, and :wow7.1:wow.
That's why your ISO had to be so high. You can't shoot night football at those F settings. Keep it around 2.8-3.5, and you'll get better, and more consistent results.
Also, you can't expect to shoot at 1/800 and 1/1600:wow in these venues.
In short, open your apeture, and slow down your SS, and you won't need such high ISO.
Scott,
I guess my dislike of football came through a little strongly, eh? Apoligies if it offended. Honestly, I was rather surprised I've sold as many shots as I have too. I think you are looking at the pictures as a photographer where most people are just happy to see pictures of their kid playing. If you look at the shot at 100% there is a lot of noise, but most people are never going to look at the pics above 1280x1024. I shoot mountain bike racing (which is something I do spend a lot of time on and take pride in) and I'm always surprised that the image bought most is an 8x10 and the small digital download. I used to price the small download at $2 because I thought no one would buy the small download. I soon realized I had to price it around $10 because I sold so many of them. The last race I shot I set the price for the full size image the same as for the small digital and 75% of the digital sales were the small shot.
Is it just me or do you think he has more fun bashing football than trying to get CC on his picks. I think you are on the wrong forum. Personally I can't believe people are paying $10.00 for those pics w/ all the noise I guess thats the diffrence between you and me I take pride in my work and if I want people to spend $10.00 I want them to get pics I'm proud of not just a quick buck!
I think you are looking at the pictures as a photographer where most people are just happy to see pictures of their kid playing..
Yes, but this is a forum about photography. Sure you can post on facebook and have everyone tell you how great the shots are. But, the benefit of photography forums dedicated to sports shooters is you get honest critique that, if you're open to it, will make you a better shooter. Of course, you have to be open to it.
Comments
Also, did you do any post with these? If so, what did you use for your noise reduction?
> My SmugMug website
> Inside Dakota Sports
That's why your ISO had to be so high. You can't shoot night football at those F settings. Keep it around 2.8-3.5, and you'll get better, and more consistent results.
Also, you can't expect to shoot at 1/800 and 1/1600:wow in these venues.
In short, open your apeture, and slow down your SS, and you won't need such high ISO.
http://www.knippixels.com
Is it just me or do you think he has more fun bashing football than trying to get CC on his picks. I think you are on the wrong forum. Personally I can't believe people are paying $10.00 for those pics w/ all the noise I guess thats the diffrence between you and me I take pride in my work and if I want people to spend $10.00 I want them to get pics I'm proud of not just a quick buck!
Nikon D70,D2H,D300,Nikkor 300mm f2.8,Nikkor 80-200 f2.8, Nikkor 24-70 AF-S f2.8,Nikkor 50 f1.8
www.ScottDavis.smugmug.com
Oh, and some of the shots were at a higher F/stop because I had a 100-400F4.5L on the camera at times. Since it's not a constant aperture lens, anytime I zoomed the F stop crept up.
I guess my dislike of football came through a little strongly, eh? Apoligies if it offended. Honestly, I was rather surprised I've sold as many shots as I have too. I think you are looking at the pictures as a photographer where most people are just happy to see pictures of their kid playing. If you look at the shot at 100% there is a lot of noise, but most people are never going to look at the pics above 1280x1024. I shoot mountain bike racing (which is something I do spend a lot of time on and take pride in) and I'm always surprised that the image bought most is an 8x10 and the small digital download. I used to price the small download at $2 because I thought no one would buy the small download. I soon realized I had to price it around $10 because I sold so many of them. The last race I shot I set the price for the full size image the same as for the small digital and 75% of the digital sales were the small shot.
Yes, but this is a forum about photography. Sure you can post on facebook and have everyone tell you how great the shots are. But, the benefit of photography forums dedicated to sports shooters is you get honest critique that, if you're open to it, will make you a better shooter. Of course, you have to be open to it.