Today's attempt at hockey

[mckinleypics]

I think I'm getting better, but still not there yet...

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4005/4339829028_baca6ea4a3_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4023/4339828048_f72f3274a4_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4068/4339081779_19d8ab0a87_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4046/4339079167_8a31a630ae_b.jpg

[Goyo903]

They look great! you are on your way.

Question, did you use auto WB or did you use a custom set up? Been wanting to try ice hockey but was curious how to set it up.

[mckinleypics]

I did not use auto, but I didn't use custom either. It was set to the setting that looks like a caterpillar (tungsten?). I also used a custom picture style with each of the setting bumped up a notch or two. I then adjusted the pics afterwards, brightening them to the point where the ice started to blow out a little, but not the jerseys.

Thanks!!

[43 North]

I like these shots. Good job and thanks for the setup info.

[asysin2leads]

Not too shabby. #2 is my favorite out of the series. Also, this is the "talk about photography" section, the sports photo sharing section is here (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=30).

[mckinleypics]

Not too shabby. #2 is my favorite out of the series. Also, this is the "talk about photography" section, the sports photo sharing section is here (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=30).

Thanks - still learning my way around here. Any way to move a thread?

[asysin2leads]

Thanks - still learning my way around here. Any way to move a thread?

No problem. Happens all the time. If you need a mod for anything, click on the little http://photography-on-the.net/forum/images/buttons/report.gif on the bottom left of the posts. That goes directly to the mods.

[mckinleypics]

Thanks!

[Ballen Photo]

No problem. Happens all the time. If you need a mod for anything, click on the little http://photography-on-the.net/forum/images/buttons/report.gif on the bottom left of the posts. That goes directly to the mods.
Moved for Ya. ;)
-Bruce

[MDJAK]

good shots.
mark

[cstewart]

Dave:

Not sure if you shot these RAW? My suggestion...shoot RAW, ignore all modes on camera and shoot in manual mode. Start with f2.8 on your lens and 1/400 shutter (good enough for these little guys) and then adjust your ISO so that you are showing at least 1 stop overexposure on the little meter at bottom of viewfinder (+1). If your light is good, you can bump up shutter speed, or decrease ISO to reduce noise but try and ensure you are always at +1. If light is crappy, then boost ISO...never drop below 1/400 shutter for hockey action. Use AI Servo, Center point (or zone on 7D?) focus. Use an Auto White Balance (AWB) or shoot a custom white balance using skated on ice as your reference photo (see manual for how to set this). I find AWB works 99% of the time just fine.

In post processing, watch your cropping, eg #2 has too much dead space at bottom, #3 has too much at top. Also rotate your images to get horizons correct. You can use the joints between boards or the metal stantions between glass panels as vertical "plumbs" to help do this.

Please feel free to look at my most recently completed set of little guys hockey HERE (http://christianjstewart.zenfolio.com/smha/feb6) for some crop and shooting ideas. All shot with 70-200 at ISO 2500, f3.2 and 1/400. Had to boost exposure a tiny bit in post, as well as crop all to 8x10 dimensions, a little bit of sharpening and noise reduction and some increase to blacks setting.

Keep shooting!

[Bigworm805]

Christian -

That is some great info there. You're a big help!!

That's the reason I spend way TOO much time on this site (reading, not posting - as you will notice!)

DWW

[mckinleypics]

Dave:

Not sure if you shot these RAW? My suggestion...shoot RAW, ignore all modes on camera and shoot in manual mode. Start with f2.8 on your lens and 1/400 shutter (good enough for these little guys) and then adjust your ISO so that you are showing at least 1 stop overexposure on the little meter at bottom of viewfinder (+1). If your light is good, you can bump up shutter speed, or decrease ISO to reduce noise but try and ensure you are always at +1. If light is crappy, then boost ISO...never drop below 1/400 shutter for hockey action. Use AI Servo, Center point (or zone on 7D?) focus. Use an Auto White Balance (AWB) or shoot a custom white balance using skated on ice as your reference photo (see manual for how to set this). I find AWB works 99% of the time just fine.

In post processing, watch your cropping, eg #2 has too much dead space at bottom, #3 has too much at top. Also rotate your images to get horizons correct. You can use the joints between boards or the metal stantions between glass panels as vertical "plumbs" to help do this.

Please feel free to look at my most recently completed set of little guys hockey HERE (http://christianjstewart.zenfolio.com/smha/feb6) for some crop and shooting ideas. All shot with 70-200 at ISO 2500, f3.2 and 1/400. Had to boost exposure a tiny bit in post, as well as crop all to 8x10 dimensions, a little bit of sharpening and noise reduction and some increase to blacks setting.

Keep shooting!

Yes!!! That is exactly the kind of advice I've been looking for!! Thank you so much!

To answer your question - haven't shot in RAW yet. Just downloaded a patch yesterday though that should finally allow my MAC to handle RAW from the 7D. Otherwise I need to use DPP, which seemed like a huge hassle given the 2k pictures I've been taking at each game.

[dwayne.evelyn]

Exposure is good on the shots, but you need to warm up the WB (bring some yellow in to offset the blue - probably 400-500 Kelvin).

Dwayne

[mckinleypics]

Exposure is good on the shots, but you need to warm up the WB (bring some yellow in to offset the blue - probably 400-500 Kelvin).

Dwayne

Interesting you mention that. When I started using the auto color adjust in PSE, the shots became more yellow. I think switching back to AWB or finding another setting as you suggest will help. Thanks for the feedback!

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2716/4339828322_32a7a30ecf_b.jpg

[paraphysis]

Awesome shots-- gotta love the little guys and gals. I'll second the great help on this site- thanks all around.