That's all for basketball

[montanafan]

I came here asking for help with shooting basketball photos a little while back and got a lot of very good advice. I didn't want to wear out my welcome by posting after every game, but now that the season is over I thought I'd post some I liked and see what you think of them. Thanks again to everyone who was so helpful before.

#1
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d112/montanafan/IMG_7427a.jpg

#2
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d112/montanafan/IMG_9479a.jpg

#3
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d112/montanafan/IMG_7626bc.jpg

#4
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d112/montanafan/IMG_7704a.jpg

#5
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d112/montanafan/IMG_9594a.jpg

#6
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d112/montanafan/IMG_9498b.jpg

#7
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d112/montanafan/IMG_8962ab.jpg

#8
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d112/montanafan/IMG_9405ab.jpg

[EnronRocks]

Very nice photos. Number 6 is showing how to PWN. Very nice lighting, what is the F/ of the lens you are using?

[montanafan]

EnronRocks, thank you very much. I guess I should have put some info with the photos.

#1, #3, and #4 were with the Canon 85mm f/1.8 at f/2.2, 1/400, ISO 1600
#2 was with the Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 at f/2.8, 1/640, ISO 1600
#5, #6, and #8 were with the Sigma at f/3.2, 1/500, ISO 1600
#7 was with the 85mm at f/2.8, 1/500, ISO 1600

Oh, and the camera is the Canon 300D.

[EnronRocks]

I own the Canon 85mm f/1.8 and have set my ISO at 1600 in a Gym located in my area, and I get HORRID picture, too dark and too blurry. I have come to the conclusion that it is the source of light, there is practically none. I also took the pictures with the 300D (Digital Rebel) as well. I am amazed at these photos, very nice.

[montanafan]

EnronRocks, I know what you mean about poorly lit gyms. #3 and #4 were taken in the one I posted about in this thread. http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=266032&highlight=montanafan You can see how bad the lighting is in the first post. I don't get a lot of keepers when I shoot there, but people here gave me some good advice on white balance and post-processing which has helped. It's a lot easier when I go on the road though for sure.

[EnronRocks]

I hear you, here is just to give you a idea of how bad the lighting in the gym here is. Thanks for the link; I was actually searching before I refreshed my window with this post open. I have used a flash once before, and it helped very little. I got chewed out.

[montanafan]

EnronRocks, wow, that is dark! I thought the gym I shot in was bad, but it's got more light than that.

I know what you mean about not wanting to use a flash. I posted a couple of photos in that other thread from a game I used a flash in this season, and I only did it there because I was shooting from the top of the bleachers and figured no one would mind. I didn't use a flash again the rest of the season. I think basketball photos look a lot better without one, but that gym you're shooting in is a real challenge.

I hope there's some info in that other thread that can help, good luck!

[cskn0125]

nice pics.

Did you airbrush some of the bodies and faces in a few of these pictures?

[RonnieA]

you got some nice pics there, montana. especially like #8. the player really pops against the dark background. hoping to get myself the 85mm 1.8 before next hoops season.

[montanafan]

cskn0125, thank you. No airbrushing, I'm not that good with post-processing. I used levels, Neat Image, and sharpening in Elements 2.0.

[montanafan]

RonnieA, thank you! Some people might think the background is too dark in #8, but I like the way it makes him stand out too. I got the 85mm f/1.8 about halfway through the season after hearing everyone rave about it, and I'm glad I did. It's a great lens; I think you'll really like having it for basketball.

[Joe Cyr]

I hear you, here is just to give you a idea of how bad the lighting in the gym here is. Thanks for the link; I was actually searching before I refreshed my window with this post open. I have used a flash once before, and it helped very little. I got chewed out.

I feel your pain. The gyms in my area are quite bad as well. But I am allowed to use flash, which does make a big difference in these poor conditions. I have never had a problem using flash at gyms. With a 1.8 you could even bounce it off the ceiling. The gym in this pic is probably worse than the one you took your shot in.

[EnronRocks]

To be honest, I have stopped trying to take photos in the gym they have here. I have told the parents to stop complaining about bad shots. The school district has announced the building of a new gym anyway, so I win.