Need advice for taking sports photo's

[lespaulowner]

Hello,

I apologize that there isn't any pictures but I will return with some once I get the information that I need. I just figured I would get my answers faster here since I've been seeing some great photos.

I just started getting into photography about a month ago, I bought a Canon 50D which came with a 28-135mm lense. I play paintball and am just getting back into skateboarding. I would love to take photos of people getting shot and doing tricks over stairs and such.

I am asking if the current lense I am using is adequate or will I need another and which is the best. Also, I am currently in the process of buying a Lexar UDMA 8GB 300x CF card, good idea? I am also buying a hood and a set of filters.

If anyone has any further advice on what I can do to take great photos I would greatly appreciate it.

[lespaulowner]

I have no budget. I'm not rich but I'm pretty good at saving up and at a fast rate too. Hahah

[Jaewhy]

congrats on the 50D. i'm sure it's been fun so far.
your 28-135 should do the trick, considering you have adequate lighting and your standing within 10-20ft of subject. to freeze action for most sports, you should be shooting at a minimum shutter speed of 1/1000. also, set AF to AI SERVO or AI FOCUS. hope that helps.

[lespaulowner]

How do I set AF to AI SERVO or AI FOCUS and what does that mean?

[bwolford]

AI Servo will track focus to a moving subject, ususally best when it is coming to you or going away from you. Side to side, not so much. Lock on in one shot and keep your finger on the exposure button and most should be in focus assuming your aren't moving around or have other camera settings screwed up. AI Servo can be out run. I see athletes do it all the time in the sport of gymnastics...

[24alpha]

If you're shooting skating, grab some flashes and triggers. Trust me on this one!

[lespaulowner]

I just bought the camera not too long ago. My team asked me to take pics this week and a group of my skateboarding friends are visiting from the US for a while. Gimme a break, I just got off spending the whole month studying for the praxis (I'm a student teacher). I haven't really had time to read the manual yet but I am getting to that. I know this isn't really a cry me a river situation so yeah. Thanks to those who gave tips though.

[dmwierz]

set AF to AI SERVO or AI FOCUS. hope that helps.

I would stay away from AI Focus. Way too many variations. Stick with AI Servo.

There are a ton of "how-to's" in the sticky at the beginning of this forum, including the podcasts in my signature.

+1 on read the manual - you have a sophisticated piece of gear there - don't expect folks in a public forum to instruct you in the basics of using your own camera. Take the time to read the manual, review the ton of information already on POTN, go out and shoot some and come back here, post your samples and then you can ask questions on how to improve, and you'll find this a lot more useful.

Regarding the 28-135, it should do OK, though my experience with it was pretty frustrating from an AF standpoint. As long as you have plenty of light, your results should be acceptable.

Good luck, and post some images.

[canonnoob]

congrats on the 50D. i'm sure it's been fun so far.
your 28-135 should do the trick, considering you have adequate lighting and your standing within 10-20ft of subject. to freeze action for most sports, you should be shooting at a minimum shutter speed of 1/1000. also, set AF to AI SERVO or AI FOCUS. hope that helps.

to answer this read VVV Never use AI focus!

I would stay away from AI Focus. Way too many variations. Stick with AI Servo.

There are a ton of "how-to's" in the sticky at the beginning of this forum, including the podcasts in my signature.

+1 on read the manual - you have a sophisticated piece of gear there - don't expect folks in a public forum to instruct you in the basics of using your own camera. Take the time to read the manual, review the ton of information already on POTN, go out and shoot some and come back here, post your samples and then you can ask questions on how to improve, and you'll find this a lot more useful.

Regarding the 28-135, it should do OK, though my experience with it was pretty frustrating from an AF standpoint. As long as you have plenty of light, your results should be acceptable.

Good luck, and post some images.


How do I set AF to AI SERVO or AI FOCUS and what does that mean?

readVVV


AI Servo will track focus to a moving subject, ususally best when it is coming to you or going away from you. Side to side, not so much. Lock on in one shot and keep your finger on the exposure button and most should be in focus assuming your aren't moving around or have other camera settings screwed up. AI Servo can be out run. I see athletes do it all the time in the sport of gymnastics...

[SuzyView]

Your lens is capable in good light, keep that in mind. AI Servo is the only way to go with any motion, so you need to figure out how that works. The shutter button is used for tracking so don't just think of shooting as in the P&S days when you just click to shoot. You can track the subject in the center if you center focus and that is the key. Center focus point and track the subject, fast shutter speed, and with the 28-135, don't expect the IS to help too much. You need to really work to get the right focus when the subject is going as fast as some of the skateboarders I've seen. Good luck!

[DC Fan]

If anyone has any further advice on what I can do to take great photos I would greatly appreciate it.


1. Go to an event.

2. Take action pictures.

3. Post a few in the Sports photo sharing section here and ask for advice.

4. Learn from the advice and take more pictures.

The only way to take great photos is to learn. The best way to learn is to take as many pictures as possible and find out what works and doesn't work. There's no magic group of settings. You need to develop a book in your head of what works and doesn't work, and that means getting experience in the field at actual events. Equipment counts less than experience.

[DavidG.]

1. Go to an event.

2. Take action pictures.

3. Post a few in the Sports photo sharing section here and ask for advice.

4. Learn from the advice and take more pictures.

The only way to take great photos is to learn. The best way to learn is to take as many pictures as possible and find out what works and doesn't work. There's no magic group of settings. You need to develop a book in your head of what works and doesn't work, and that means getting experience in the field at actual events. Equipment counts less than experience.

This is bw!. If you hadn't posted that I would have said something along those lines, but inevitably less eloquent. :)