Mercy Rule Hockey with the 7D

So I drove about an hour to go shoot some high school hockey. High school games usually take about an hour and a half to complete.

Except when there is a mercy rule. Forest Park blanked Centerville (Northern VA) 10-0, and we all got to go home early. Problem is, I only got about 1/4 of the shots that I usually get.

But here are some that I did get.

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We don't have the mercy rule in Minnesota.. BUT the third period is running time if one team has a 6-0 lead... our close games last just under 2 hours with 17 minute periods and 15 minute intermissions. There aren't a ton of games that have a 10 goal deficit but it sounds like it could be a good idea.

The shots seem to have a lot of reflection in them.. the 4th one especially.. like you shot through the glass but not close enough to the glass? The few times I've shot through the glass i put the lens hood right up to the glass to try and eliminate that (and turn the lens hood's 'wings' so the long sides are on the side. Doesn't always help of course but sometimes.

Really hope the exif plugin for the new Firefox beta comes out soon so I can look at exifs!

Ahhh, the mercy clock rule. Not here, we like to drag out the pain! Although, we rarely see that much of a disparity between teams in the High School league here. The pics look dark to me. I looked at the EXIF data on your Smugmug site. I see you're shooting at ISO 1250. With the 7D, you could easily crank it up to 3200 or 6400, pushing the exposure two stops. That would brighten things up nicely with out slowing your shutter. Also, over exposing a bit really seems to minimize high ISO noise. I tend to go for the two stop push, but for some that is too bright. Try it out and see what works for you. I struggle with those same away jerseys! Dark blue is hard to make dark blue with out crushing the ice. I like the old Hartford Whaler colors, of course, but they are dark.

if I have to shoot through the glass I don't shoot

ice is way to expensive in Tx to have a mercy rule! $400 an hour here!

khatley wrote in post #9358255
if I have to shoot through the glass I don't shoot

Generally speaking, I agree. If that's your only option, you can get some good shots if you understand the limitations. Shoot with as little of an angle as possible, watch for things that cause reflections (exit signs, lights, soda machines) and the hardest, find a clean spot. Focus is harder, some contrast is lost, fewer keepers overall, but doable.

The corners of our arena where there would be a cutout in a better/pro arena are usually the cleanest.. which makes sense as why they'd make that spot the photo spot in those arenas also. (Other than the guy who got hit in the face by a cleared puck a month or so ago, that made youtube and other sites that was shown here I think?)

I think you're a bit underexposed. Can you work them a bit in PP? Maybe play with some shadows? It'll be tough without going too noisy.

Lacks_focus wrote in post #9358391
Generally speaking, I agree. If that's your only option, you can get some good shots if you understand the limitations. Shoot with as little of an angle as possible, watch for things that cause reflections (exit signs, lights, soda machines) and the hardest, find a clean spot. Focus is harder, some contrast is lost, fewer keepers overall, but doable.

This was an away rink so I had no choice but to shoot through glass. I wasn't even allowed to go behind the nets.

And there are some reflections because I really had a terrible spot and the play seemed to always be at that bad angle for me.
Next few games are at our home rink so I'll be in the penalty box shooting over the glass.

Lacks_focus wrote in post #9357753
Ahhh, the mercy clock rule. Not here, we like to drag out the pain! Although, we rarely see that much of a disparity between teams in the High School league here. The pics look dark to me. I looked at the EXIF data on your Smugmug site. I see you're shooting at ISO 1250. With the 7D, you could easily crank it up to 3200 or 6400, pushing the exposure two stops. That would brighten things up nicely with out slowing your shutter. Also, over exposing a bit really seems to minimize high ISO noise. I tend to go for the two stop push, but for some that is too bright. Try it out and see what works for you. I struggle with those same away jerseys! Dark blue is hard to make dark blue with out crushing the ice. I like the old Hartford Whaler colors, of course, but they are dark.

Thanks for that. I'll try that out. I was kinda scared to crank it up that high, but I might as well try it.
And I haven't got to shoot a home game yet with the Whites, can't wait for that. Those jerseys are so dark.

Ahh.....the Whaaaalers!

Darsk47 wrote in post #9363965
I think you're a bit underexposed. Can you work them a bit in PP? Maybe play with some shadows? It'll be tough without going too noisy.

I have actually already PP them. But not too much for fear of noise.

Thanks for the CnC everyone!!

khatley wrote in post #9358255
if I have to shoot through the glass I don't shoot

@khatley...Which means you are missing a ton of great shots. Look for a clean spot down in a corner (usually just above the boards stays clean of puck marks and stick marks) and shoot players as they come toward you. You will capture faces and get some great action shots by doing so. Example below...

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