Semi-Pro Basketball - Getting Better?

Here are some shots from tonights game.

Trying my new(er) sigma 18-50mm f2.8 and was going wide most the night.
#1 1/500 f3.2 ISO 3200 33mm

#2 1/500 f2.8 ISO 3200 18mm

Really trying to improve for the next game. Any advise? C&C always welcomed.

Here is another shot taken with a Sigma 70-200mm on a Canon 7D body.

#3 1/800 f2.8 ISO 5000 76mm

I love the tight capture in post #2. Sure there is some noise but don't obsess about it.

Zivnuska wrote in post #16617836
I love the tight capture in post #2. Sure there is some noise but don't obsess about it.

Thanks for taking the time to post. Usually use NoiseNinja to take care of the noise but I tried Lightroom noise reduction for this shot. Need to spend less time in post production.

figo wrote in post #16618095
Need to spend less time in post production.

No, that time in post is time well spent. You want to make the images as good as possible. Noise is much less noticeable in prints than on the net. Further, there are differing opinions on how much noise is acceptable. That's why I said not to obsess about noise.

figo wrote in post #16618095
Thanks for taking the time to post. Usually use NoiseNinja to take care of the noise but I tried Lightroom noise reduction for this shot. Need to spend less time in post production.

if you used layer masks with noise ninja those close-in pics could have looked better. But yes, nothing to obsess over

figo wrote in post #16618095
Thanks for taking the time to post. Usually use NoiseNinja to take care of the noise but I tried Lightroom noise reduction for this shot. Need to spend less time in post production.

If you're using Lightroom, then you shouldn't be spending a whole lot of time in post anyway. If you haven't already, make use of presets.

Lightroom's NR isn't as good as noiseninja, but it's certainly good enough. Same with sharpening. Learn what the detail sliders do, and make use of the sharpening mask slider so you're not sharpening noise in the background (hold down option/alt while dragging it to see what is being sharpened).

You're on the right track when it comes to covering the game. The action is nice, and it's good to see you making use of multiple positions and angles. Overall, PP is where your photos need the most work. They look almost unedited.

Thanks for the comment. I'll search youtube for some masking tutorials.

abruckse wrote in post #16620988
If you're using Lightroom, then you shouldn't be spending a whole lot of time in post anyway. If you haven't already, make use of presets.

Lightroom's NR isn't as good as noiseninja, but it's certainly good enough. Same with sharpening. Learn what the detail sliders do, and make use of the sharpening mask slider so you're not sharpening noise in the background (hold down option/alt while dragging it to see what is being sharpened).

You're on the right track when it comes to covering the game. The action is nice, and it's good to see you making use of multiple positions and angles. Overall, PP is where your photos need the most work. They look almost unedited.