Bulls vs Cleveland 04-11-08

[csaquido]

I'm new to photography and purchased the "entry level" dslr, Canon XTi, a couple months ago. I just went to the Bulls game last friday and had the opportunity to take some action/motion shots. I think they came out ok. what do you professionals think? just wanting to get your opinion, so I can improve on my photography skills...

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f155/csaquido/IMG_2303.jpg
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f155/csaquido/IMG_2690.jpg
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f155/csaquido/IMG_2407.jpg
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f155/csaquido/IMG_2592.jpg

[dsul413]

Are you using the kit lens? I'm no pro, but if you can stop farther down, then you should. That means shooting at the lowest possible aperture setting. Doing that, you'll be able to up the shutter speed more to be able to stop the motion better.

[csaquido]

i was actually using the 70-300IS lens. i'm pretty sure i was in shutter speed priority mode and had it at the shutter speed where the f stop was not blinking in the view finder. it was probably around 1/100 or 1/250 for the shutter speed...

[Big K]

Shoot manual. If you are not comfortable with manual then at least shoot in aperture mode so you can set it as open as possible. If you are not getting at least 1/400 for a shutter speed you are going to have serious motion blur issues for basketball.

[csaquido]

I will try it next time in manual mode. in the last two shots i was panning with continuous shooting (don't know if that makes a difference though). I actually wasn't trying to stop motion completely. i did want some blur to show motion. hopefully i'll get invited to another game so that i can take more shots and practice more!

[drjiveturkey]

Are you using the kit lens? I'm no pro, but if you can stop farther down, then you should. That means shooting at the lowest possible aperture setting. Doing that, you'll be able to up the shutter speed more to be able to stop the motion better.

You want to actually open the aperature up (smaller number = larger aperature) to allow more light to enter the lens therefore allowing the shutters speeds to be faster. Every extra "Stop" gives you double the amount of light.

Stopping down means making the aperature smaller. That gives you more DoF and usually sharper pictures but also slows down the shutter speed. Every Stop down cuts the amount light in half.

i was actually using the 70-300IS lens. i'm pretty sure i was in shutter speed priority mode and had it at the shutter speed where the f stop was not blinking in the view finder. it was probably around 1/100 or 1/250 for the shutter speed...

To stop action try to keep the shutter faster. You can bump up the ISO if you see it dropping below 1/250.

[Aaagogo]

do you have a clear shot of the remote setups in #2...

I don't see a gobo and there looks like 3 remotes up there.

[Big K]

I will try it next time in manual mode. in the last two shots i was panning with continuous shooting (don't know if that makes a difference though). I actually wasn't trying to stop motion completely. i did want some blur to show motion. hopefully i'll get invited to another game so that i can take more shots and practice more!

I admire the creativity. Panning sports is a challenge but very cool when it works out. Continuous shooting does not change anything or have any negative impact on what you are trying to capture. It actually gives you several frames for a chance at a keeper.

Since your objective is not max shutter speed for the panning shots, try to shoot at f/4.0-5.6 to give yourself a bit more DOF and be sure you get your exposure set well. You might consider trying to overexpose by 1/3 to 2/3 stops to improve the shadow detail in your image.

Hope you get another opportunity to shoot a game.