More attempts at basketball pictures

[dethomas07]

Once again, any comments, suggestions, criticism, etc. I appreciate everything you've all given me so far. I really feel like I'm doing better. We'll see what you all think. So, without futher delay.... Thanks, David

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f14/dethomas07/IMG_1309.jpg
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f14/dethomas07/IMG_1330.jpg
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f14/dethomas07/IMG_1376.jpg
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f14/dethomas07/IMG_1395.jpg
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f14/dethomas07/IMG_1243.jpg
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f14/dethomas07/IMG_1157.jpg
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f14/dethomas07/IMG_1175.jpg
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f14/dethomas07/IMG_1150.jpg

[royv]

First of all, way too many shots of their backs. Those are no keepers in my opinion..
The other ones you've posted are either not sharp enough/blurred or could be cropped significantly.

On the other hand..
ISO1600, f/2.8 and 1/200? Those must've been some really harsh conditions!

[dethomas07]

First of all, way too many shots of their backs. Those are no keepers in my opinion..
The other ones you've posted are either not sharp enough/blurred or could be cropped significantly.

On the other hand..
ISO1600, f/2.8 and 1/200? Those must've been some really harsh conditions!

I do no editing before posting here. I tried to pick some of the better ones. There are others of their faces, but I don't have those uploaded as of yet.

The conditions in this gym are VERY harsh and VERY hit and miss on the lighting.

David

[Zivnuska]

That lighting is really tough. I shoot in gyms like that but am able to use ISO3200 and typically use f/2.2 with the 85mm lens. The SS of 1/200 is too slow but you're stuck unless you change camera or lens.

Flash of some type is a better option.

[MT Stringer]

I left my camera in the truck and watched my grandson play today. He's about the same age as the kids you are shooting. I can only symphasize with you on the back shots. It seems they almost always turn or look the other way just when it is time to shoot.

Looks like you either need more light or a faster lens.
Good luck.
Mike

[Aaagogo]

if i may comment, if it's too harsh on you, then i apologize, if you can get what I'm trying to say, i think it will really help.

I am not even looking at their age or the lighting or skill level. I would tell you, to go take a look at some of the really good member's basketball shots. like AdamLewis, scejas and many more (sorry if I didn't mention you)

1st qn - ask youself - where were they shooting from?

remember, I am not concerned about the light or their age group.

from #7, it might seem to be a problem with what I mentioned... see if you can find a way around it.

[dethomas07]

if i may comment, if it's too harsh on you, then i apologize, if you can get what I'm trying to say, i think it will really help.

I am not even looking at their age or the lighting or skill level. I would tell you, to go take a look at some of the really good member's basketball shots.

ask youself - where were they shooting from?

remember, I am not concerned about the light and age. Location, Location, Location,

from #7, it might seem to be a problem with what I mentioned... see if you can find a way around it.

I fully understand. That is quite a bit of the problem. The only place you can stand is in the doorway (which is close to one of the courts) or a corner (which is close to the other court). There really isn't a good location that I can find.

Baseball, that's really our sport. He plays basketball because it is Upward and it helps get to bseball season.

It doesn't sound too harsh, trust me. I'm learning and want people to be honest and up front.

David

[Aaagogo]

alrighty David, i glad you didn't get pissed, so here's more... maybe you will be after this ;p

my view on you posting this is, I personally feel, a waste of forum space... I would assume that you looked at these images and already know what kind of comments you are going to receive.

while i understand that like yourself, I am still green and a noob, and i understand that you want to get nice images of your kid playing, study the images from some of the work in POTN, there's plenty to find and tackle the main issue and try to work with what you have or around what you have...

I understand that the problem is there, I'm the kind of person that is crazy enough to try random and weird stuff, just to get the shot in...

may i suggest one way or another, squeezing yourself into some tight corner just to get into position... or the few available positions that you have and work the positions to the max. the more you shoot in 1 or 2 fixed location, the more understanding of the location you will have and the more you will learn of what kinda happens when you are camped out in the tight corner.

if there's really no way to work any position, then maybe it's just me, give up shooting in there, unless you are willing to take like an extremely low keeper rate, or move them outdoors to play, or have them play 1/2 court or do something that can give you a better position.

So... u pissed now ? ;p

[dethomas07]

alrighty David, i glad you didn't get pissed, so here's more... maybe you will be after this ;p

my view on you posting this is, I personally feel, a waste of forum space... I would assume that you looked at these images and already know what kind of comments you are going to receive.

while i understand that like yourself, I am still green and a noob, and i understand that you want to get nice images of your kid playing, study the images from some of the work in POTN, there's plenty to find and tackle the main issue and try to work with what you have or around what you have...

I understand that the problem is there, I'm the kind of person that is crazy enough to try random and weird stuff, just to get the shot in...

may i suggest one way or another, squeezing yourself into some tight corner just to get into position... or the few available positions that you have and work the positions to the max. the more you shoot in 1 or 2 fixed location, the more understanding of the location you will have and the more you will learn of what kinda happens when you are camped out in the tight corner.

if there's really no way to work any position, then maybe it's just me, give up shooting in there, unless you are willing to take like an extremely low keeper rate, or move them outdoors to play, or have them play 1/2 court or do something that can give you a better position.

So... u pissed now ? ;p

Nope, not pissed. I post here hoping to get pointers and expert advice. Because of tips I've received, I've managed to make LOTS of progress from the first game.

I'm sorry you feel this is a waste of forum space. I thought that's what forums were for....to show off pictures and ask for any advice. I posted these pictures because I thought I had got all of the settings right, but I was still getting blur. I was hoping there would be members here who could suggest anything else possible.

For basketball next year, we'll just get the 85 mm lens and try it out.

Thanks, David

[Aaagogo]

i'm just joking with you on that one... hoping you'll get pissed ;p

i say camp out at the door area, and if anyone says anything, do a pan and hit with the camera, LOL

[dethomas07]

i'm just joking with you on that one... hoping you'll get pissed ;p

i say camp out at the door area, and if anyone says anything, do a pan and hit with the camera, LOL


I'll try that next game!! :)

Trust me, it takes a LOT more than that to make me angry. Patience is something I work on. That's why I continue to take pictures of these blasted basketball games......because I'm patient and know I can conquer it.

David

[montanafan]

I think you're doing much better with your settings. 1/200th shutter speed is what's causing the blur, and in the case of #3 the focus locked onto the boys to the right of yours and on #4 onto the boy behind yours. Try 1/320th and +1 EC next time on some of them and see how that goes. Besides some of the other suggestions, I'd also recommend getting down on one knee to shoot the little guys. These are certainly useable though with some post-processing.

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d112/montanafan/cdpf2.jpg

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d112/montanafan/cdpf.jpg

[cstewart]

Good job on the PP in the above post...much nicer...suggest you PP some images in future and then post. As to location, one of the best spots for BBall is on the floor under the hoops if possible. For example, in your second to last shot, if you were sitting on the bench where the girl in the background is, that image would be perfect as you would have got all face with no ball in the way. Also agree that you need to see how you can get some faster shutter speed to better freeze action.

[vwjoe76]

Yea,
I agree with the post processing comments. A little unsharp mask, some curves, and a crop can go a long way. I also think what people have said about the angle you are shooting at plays a big role. Shoot at the kids height. Maybe even see if you can hang out somewhere near the baseline and under the basket (I know it's probably a tight squeeze in those areas). But most importantly keep shooting! Baseball is almost here and you won't have to worry about those horribly lit B-Ball courts! :) --joe

[namasste]

Not sure if this has been brought up in prior posts but can you shoot flash in there. With that lighting, it's really the only solution I see if you want sharp images. Even a simple on camera flash will do wonders. Anyway, that's my two cents. If you want three cents, then I'll echo the others comments on making a location work. Tonight I shot in between two cheerleaders. After asking them if it would bother them at all, they said no so I hunkered down. They were definitely better looking than me but I got the images I needed. Don't be afraid to get right in there, just ask first if it might affect someone else.

[leverington@mncable.net]

Not sure if this has been brought up in prior posts but can you shoot flash in there. With that lighting, it's really the only solution I see if you want sharp images. Even a simple on camera flash will do wonders. Anyway, that's my two cents. If you want three cents, then I'll echo the others comments on making a location work. Tonight I shot in between two cheerleaders. After asking them if it would bother them at all, they said no so I hunkered down. They were definitely better looking than me but I got the images I needed. Don't be afraid to get right in there, just ask first if it might affect someone else.
I've been asked to shoot some HS basketball but I know our gym is very dark and I've never done sports with flash before. what settings would you suggest for on camera flash, xti, 70-200, 2.8??

[namasste]

I've been asked to shoot some HS basketball but I know our gym is very dark and I've never done sports with flash before. what settings would you suggest for on camera flash, xti, 70-200, 2.8??


well, it's a little trial and error but as a start you want to have the flash 2 stops over ambient. You can accomplish this through your ambient settings and your flash comp (if using TTL). TTL is probably your best so I'd start with 1/250s f2.8 and 800ISO, flash TTL with +1/3 to 2/3. If you are overexposing, stop down to f4 and/or dial your ISO down a bit. Without knowing the gym, that should be a starting point.

[dschach]

well, it's a little trial and error but as a start you want to have the flash 2 stops over ambient. You can accomplish this through your ambient settings and your flash comp (if using TTL). TTL is probably your best so I'd start with 1/250s f2.8 and 800ISO, flash TTL with +1/3 to 2/3. If you are overexposing, stop down to f4 and/or dial your ISO down a bit. Without knowing the gym, that should be a starting point.

With the Xti, the ss has to be 1/200. That's the fastest it will sync.

[namasste]

With the Xti, the ss has to be 1/200. That's the fastest it will sync.

okay then, 1/200 and f3.2.....I was only giving a basic starting point, not the holy grail of settings. Sorry if that was misleading in any way. I see why Dennis HATES to suggest settings now.

[dschach]

okay then, 1/200 and f3.2.....I was only giving a basic starting point, not the holy grail of settings. Sorry if that was misleading in any way. I see why Dennis HATES to suggest settings now.


I didn't mean to nit pick. Your advice was good. Sorry.
David

[namasste]

I didn't mean to nit pick. Your advice was good. Sorry.
David

it's cool, just tough suggesting settings when you don't know the location and aren't as familiar with different gear.