Finally getting the hang of basketball

Shima

I think I'm finally starting to learn a thing or two about taking basketball photos... This was my fave photo from the game on December 1st between Valparaiso University Crusaders vs. Ball State Cardinals. (Valpo won) It probably helps that a) I get a press pass to sit on the sideline, b) I finally started shooting in full manual so much less blur! and c) got to talk to some of the more pro people...

Anyhoo, c&c welcomed:



More from that game and other recent games here:
http://shima.smugmug.com/Valparaiso_University/398614

Thanks for looking!

Dbl

Shima,

I like the action you have captured here. A thing or two for your next outing. I would suggest you use a custom white balance shooting inside. You will notice the red present in the white net and the white uniforms. The cycling lights will give you this look. I did take some time to look through your gallery and noticed you were at f5.0 and 1/200s at 1600ISO. I know the Rebel can only shoot at 1600ISO but you are shooting with I believe an f/4 lens so you should be at f4. This will give you another stop in shutter speed to 1/320s, the lowest I would use for even youth basketball. This will help some with the motion blur you have in many of your shots.

This being college ball you will need the fastest shutter speed you can so get the lens opened all the way up and shoot the fastest shutter speed you can. I was just at the Valpo campus a few weeks ago, the gym looked like it was lit OK.

Shima

Dbl wrote:

Shima,

I like the action you have captured here. A thing or two for your next outing. I would suggest you use a custom white balance shooting inside. You will notice the red present in the white net and the white uniforms. The cycling lights will give you this look. I did take some time to look through your gallery and noticed you were at f5.0 and 1/200s at 1600ISO. I know the Rebel can only shoot at 1600ISO but you are shooting with I believe an f/4 lens so you should be at f4. This will give you another stop in shutter speed to 1/320s, the lowest I would use for even youth basketball. This will help some with the motion blur you have in many of your shots.

This being college ball you will need the fastest shutter speed you can so get the lens opened all the way up and shoot the fastest shutter speed you can. I was just at the Valpo campus a few weeks ago, the gym looked like it was lit OK.

Thanks for all the great feedback. I will give it a try at the game on the 8th!

Dbl

You are welcome and good luck, hope to see your great results!

johng

In addition to the white balance suggestion I would also add:

if you plan on continuing to shoot basketball I would strongly advise investing in a more appropriate lens for the sport. While the 70-200 f4 is an outstanding lens, 1/200 is a very slow shutter speed and the posted photo looks a good stop to stop and a half underexposed.

You really want the faces especially to be exposed properly. If you do that, the rest of the scene comes right along:

Shima

johng wrote:

In addition to the white balance suggestion I would also add:

if you plan on continuing to shoot basketball I would strongly advise investing in a more appropriate lens for the sport. While the 70-200 f4 is an outstanding lens, 1/200 is a very slow shutter speed and the posted photo looks a good stop to stop and a half underexposed.

You really want the faces especially to be exposed properly. If you do that, the rest of the scene comes right along:

Yeah I have the 70-200 f2.8/L on my wish list of next lens I want to buy, but it's way more money than I can afford... gotta finish paying off the current equipment

beetle8

the good news
All things being what they are the shot above is really good the composition and timing are great. So keep shooting with the f4 when you get the faster glass you'll be that much better.

PineapplePhoto

I just borrowed one for the 3 games I am shooting tomorrow

Shima wrote:

Yeah I have the 70-200 f2.8/L on my wish list of next lens I want to buy, but it's way more money than I can afford... gotta finish paying off the current equipment

Shima

PineapplePhoto wrote:

I just borrowed one for the 3 games I am shooting tomorrow

Lucky! I look forward to the day I can afford one (or have a friend to borrow one from)...

PineapplePhoto

Shima wrote:

Lucky! I look forward to the day I can afford one (or have a friend to borrow one from)...

It helps when you work for a company that has 40+ photohogs on staff, and buys your equipement for you