First try at Hockey

[gazmorton2000]

Now Ice hockey isn't a big sport here in the UK but I love it. These are pictures of my rec team who I hope to be decent enough to play for one day. My first time shooting hockey so hopefully quality will improve. Also, our kit didn't arrive yet so all our team have differnt shirts on! :oops:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v519/gazmorton2000/Ice%20Hockey/IMG_5847.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v519/gazmorton2000/Ice%20Hockey/IMG_6016.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v519/gazmorton2000/Ice%20Hockey/IMG_5869.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v519/gazmorton2000/Ice%20Hockey/IMG_5914.jpg

Thnks for looking :)

[canonnoob]

not bad.. but it seems that you didnt have a fast enough Shutter speed for most of the shots and they are all quite noisy and underexposed.

not bad though for the first try

[gazmorton2000]

Thanks for the comment. I know the major problem, I only have the 70-200 F4.0. When I bought it I never even thought I would photograph hockey, let alone play it. I think that is the major downfall.

[cstewart]

Yep, f4.0, will not cut it in most dark, minor hockey rinks. I use an f2.8 lens and even that is borderline sometimes. As to shutter speed, you want to keep at 1/400 or higher for any type of action. Don't be afraid to crank your ISO to 3200 on the 40D. I use this all the time and get good results. You aill also want to learn to post process to bump up exposure, eliminate some noise, etc. Finally, crop your images tighter as well (eg #1 and 4).

[gazmorton2000]

Many thanks for the comments! I am reasonably new to photography in general so want to improve. Learning from other folk is the way to do it!

[DarenM]

not bad.. but it seems that you didnt have a fast enough Shutter speed for most of the shots and they are all quite noisy and underexposed.

not bad though for the first try


How would you have handled noise in the pictures?

[polarbare]

good job gaz. cstewart hit the nail on the head. exposure needs to come up some, crop (a lot) tighter and put that 40D through it's paces. I routinely shoot mine @ ISO3200 and a little noise ninja or similar with clean it right up. Try to get your shutter about 1/640 or 1/800 if you can. You did a good job getting faces but not much action so keep that in mind next time. Lots of guys focus on scoring but keep your eye out for good stick and body checking, those make great shots too.

[polarbare]

DarenM - Easiest way to combat noise is to properly expose. I usually expose my sports shot +1/3 or +2/3. I shoot to the right and pull it down in post. The 2nd thing is paying for good noise reduction software, I don't use the in-camera stuff at all. (Noise Ninja, Neat Image, etc)

[spalmer]

Are you shooting at the highest iso capable by your camera?

[cstewart]

Are you shooting at the highest iso capable by your camera?

No he was not. 40D can go to 3200 ISO he was shooting at 1600 ISO

[gazmorton2000]

As said above, no I certainly wasn't pushing the 40D, although it is a new camera to me, this was my first go with it since swapping from the 450D.

Polarbare, thanks for your comments. All duly noted and hope to improve next time I have a go!!