Middle School Volleyball - CC PLEASE!

[kcheek]

I'm really starting to focus on my photography skills and hope to move into the semi-pro field and do sports and family/child portraiture as a side business.

Here are some volleyball pictures form this week. I'm trying to learn how the camera works, so I'd appreciate any and all comments, suggestions and tips! These are all right out of the camera with only resizing and cropping done in PS.

Thanks in advance for you help and comments!

Kevin

Here goes...

#1 - a bit on the soft side
http://www.flickr.com/photos/39073484@N00/249941767/

#2 - color seems to have a blue tint
http://www.flickr.com/photos/39073484@N00/249941769/

#3 -
http://www.flickr.com/photos/39073484@N00/249941775/

#4 -
http://www.flickr.com/photos/39073484@N00/249941776/

[kcheek]

Lets see if this works... If someone can tell me what I've done wrong in the first post I would appreciate the technical help!

#1 - a bit on the soft side
EDIT:
Camera: 300D
Lens: Canon 200mm 2.8
SS: 1/500, AV: 2.8, ISO: 1600
EV: -0.38

[kcheek]

#2 - color seems to have a blue tint
EDIT:
Camera: 300D
Lens: Canon 200mm 2.8
SS: 1/320, AV: 2.8, ISO: 1600
EV: -0.38

[kcheek]

#3 -
EDIT:
Camera: 300D
Lens: Canon 200mm 2.8
SS: 1/100, AV: 2.8, ISO: 1600
EV: -0.38

[kcheek]

#4 -
EDIT:
Camera: 300D
Lens: Canon 200mm 2.8
SS: 1/160, AV: 2.8, ISO: 1600
EV: -0.38

[QUASIPHOTO]

First you need to tell us what you shot these with, your ISO and shutter speed. Ap priority or just what your settings were if you can remember.
That will help.

[kcheek]

Oops...Sorry Quasiphoto! I've added the EXIF info in each post.

Thanks for taking the time!

[davidmigl]

Can't pinpoint exactly what might make them better, but I do wonder why the exposure is set to -.38?

[QUASIPHOTO]

My opinion is this (for what it's worth). I would say that at ISO 1600, f2.8, 1/500 you shouldn't be getting any blur. That is a very decent shutter speed. It looks like the 300D at ISO 1600 has a bit of noise, you can clean that up with another program such as Noise Ninja, I'm still not totally sold on the effects of the Noise Ninja type programs. I would set a custom white balance though. It looks like you might need to do this. I would use the palm of your hand to set your exposure. You have the action down it appears. These are so good shots. Just try different angles and locations to shoot from. Shoot some more and post them for more critic.

[jharms1]

I'm just learning to shoot volleyball too. In our gym, I've been shooting at ISO 1600, f2.8, 1/800. Even at that, I get blur on a moving ball.

I used to shoot in jpeg, but the last couple of games I've been shooting RAW. It seems to work wonders! Even if the pic is a little underexposed, you can lighten it up in the post processing.

I've tried the demo of Noise Ninja and it did a great job of cleaning up the noise! I'm going to get it as soon as my wife loosens the purse strings. ;)

[4x4rock]

Do you have more shots from the 200/2.8?
I plan to use it for vball some day too.
It must be a very bad lighted gym, just like most highschool gyms are.

[cdifoto]

You need something faster than f/2.8. 1/100th doesn't freeze volleyball...or even people walking, and 1/250th isn't going to stop the ball. Perhaps an 85mm f/1.8 if you can get a good seat/spot. 1/800th would be better speeds if you can get them, or simply try to time your shots at peak moments when action is slower. Ball-hand jump, etc. Movement is slowest when the player is at the top of the jump and has her hand RIGHT on the ball. 1/250th even works for those.

[liza]

Consider shooting RAW to address the white balance issues in post or setting a custom white balance. That's where the funky colors are coming from. Also consider purchasing either the 85mm f/1.8 or the 100mm f/2 lens. Either is great for gym sports.

[tikosyn]

i would reccommend moving behind the opposing team and taking pictures through the net. take them when a person is blocking or hitting. I have learned to shoot high school volleyball with shutter speeds as low as 1/250, it jsut takes a lot of practice. and tahts on kit lenes, f/4.5.

[tikosyn]

For example, I took both of these my soph. year of high school(last year) with school cameras. Olympus E-500 with the Fl-36 flash ( I think)

feel free to delete if you dont like. This was probably my 3rd month shooting sports for my school paper, so the P setting was god back then.


f/3.9 ISO 250, 1/125 sec.
http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h65/tikosyn/P5095289.jpg


1/160 sec. ISO 400, f/4.3
http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h65/tikosyn/P5095256.jpg





Yes, I understand that they are a bit dark in the back, and the ball may be a bit blurry. but these are the ORIGINALS, and i got the shot using incredibly low speeds. My only point in making this post is that any sports picture is possble after you practice. A lot.

[Gatorboy]

For indoor, you should be using manual settings for the light is pretty consistent all over the court. Your colors look flat -- are these posted in Adobe RGB?