Learning to Shoot Basketball C&C?

Anything I can be doing differently to get sharper images? This gym was particularly dark so I had to go to 1/400 @ f2 - 1600 ISO. You suggestions and critique is welcome!

I think this looks pretty darn good if you are just learning this type of shooting! I typically shoot a bit faster, but only just at 500. Other than the sharpness, the things that jump out at me are:
1. White balance & hue issues - You will always fight these with basketball. Shooting in RAW makes it easier to adjust in post. Many swear by shooting a grey card at 1/60 to set a custom white balance, but I personally find the cycling of the type of lights commonly found in gyms makes it pretty much irrelavent. I always just adjust it in post.

2. Color saturation - I usually keep the colors a bit more natural and punch it up by upping the contrast if the shot looks flat.

3. Exposure - It almost looks a bit over exposed, but that could be a combination of bringing the brightness up and intensifying the color. I have had mild success with pulling back exposure a tad to compensate when I have to add tons of brightness, but other times it fails miserably.

To the subject of focus, what are you doing now? Auto or manual? If auto, are you using AI Servo? (recommended for this type of shooting)

Also, what equipment are you using for this?

Again, looks like a great start to me. Be proud!

Good response Kadman. I am just starting to shoot basketball and your answers are right on the mark for my needs as well.

Take care,
Harry

Actually, I think sharpness-wise you'll find you'll be okay with that (assuming a reasonable sized print). IMO, I just don't find sharpness as important with indoor sports vs. other types of photography.

Everything else was mentioned above, I would just add a note about composition. No ball in the frame + body parts cut out of the frame = a chimper for me. Just MHO....exposure looks okay though.

Thanks for your comments and suggestions.

I was using my XT with the Canon 85mm 1.8 for these shots.

Nic

And what is your technique for AI Servo? Do you keep the button depressed th whole time someone is running with the ball? Do you press it in bursts depending on the movement?

Nic

I'd say with your camera, do it in bursts. I do not think its that responsive if you just hold it down for the whole period of following. I think its a little too slow on cameras lower than the 1 series.

The best thing you can do is just keep shooting. You will have the tough times at first, but once you get to know your lens, you will get there. Follow the ball. It will lead to good things as well.

I agree, I use it "sporadically" would probably put it best. I don't lay on it the whole time, but I do hold it in during a sequence where there is a breakaway coming at me. Please also note that I use the custom function 4 set to "3" so that I'm focusing with the * button on the back. Have you experimented with this?

Also, are you set to use all AF points or just the center one? General consensus is to just use the center AF point for this type of shooting. I agree for the most part, but there have been times where I feel I want to switch back. Usually after I've shoot a series of crystal clear benches between a bunch of blurry players. lol