First try at sports photography (Tennessee vs. Carson-Newman)

These are shot from the student section... 4th row. I knew I would get good seats (rain + exhibition game) so I decided to take the camera. These are all done with an XTi and my 100mm macro. I know it's not an ideal setup, but it's all I have. Had a little mishap with the firmware mod... I forgot to put the autoexec file on the 2nd card so I was stuck with ISO1600 for the latter part of the game. I was hovering around 1/640 @ ISO3200. These are straight out of the camera. Let me know what you think.

abruckse wrote in post #13351495
I think my biggest problem was focus. Had to delete a lot due to poor focus. I set it to Servo on the middle focus point. Is that how most of you guys setup AF? Or am I just limited by the XTi's lack of speed?

Thanks

Those look good...look sharp and color looks good. Just work on your timing.

Yes one point. But when shooting in portrait I'll move the focus point up or down from the center. Back button focus helps me out as well, although it took me 5 or 6 games to 'master' it. Your focus speed will be limited to your body as well as to your lens, and when you have a slow focus lens you'll want to engage for 1/2 of a second or so before releasing the shutter (that's where the back button focus will help). The other issue that could be happening is that your focal point could be coming off your subject, causing the camera to re-focus on something other then your subject. With the xD bodies you can slow that time down...but I don't think the xxD or xxxd bodies can. So you'll just need to be aware where you focus point is at all times...and the tighter you shoot, the less likely your focus point will go off target.

Thanks for the reply. I fell kinda dumb now not knowing about the back-button focus function. That would have come in real handy last night. And part of it is just me not staying on track with the focus point as you mentioned. I'm used to shooting botanical, nature and macro photography so it's rare I deal with something moving like that.

Thanks again... it gives me a few more tools for Monday's exhibition game.

Hey I shot that game as well! Good shots though, off to a good start. It will take a game or two to get the back button focus down, and to get the timing down.

Few things I learned from the game.
1. Skylar McBee has a gross mustache
2. We are not looking too great this year.

Shoot a few more games and you will be able to get use to the back button focus and timing for the action.

Heh, I probably saw you then... as usual, I was drooling at all the nice equipment. Next game just throw me your backup with a 70-200 and I'll get you some good shots from the student section.

Skylar's pedophile stache is gross indeed.
Defensively I was pleased with the effort. Maymon, McRae and Golden all impressed me. Washpun looks good on defense as well. Offensively, it's going to be a long year unless one of the big men (Hall) can consistently score in the paint. Overall, it was about what I expected.

Again it proves that it is not the equipment but the photographer that matter the most

Tried the back-button focus tonight vs. Lincoln Memorial... it will definitely take me another couple games to get focus down pat. I also tried to work on my timing and anticipation a little more. And a shout-out to Ben... it was nice meeting you, and thanks!

Edit: Just a little cropping done on some. They could definitely use some noise reduction. Does most everybody use NoiseNinja?