| Author | Thread |
|
|
01/16/2007 05:18:51 PM · #1 |
I will be taking pictures of basketball games indoors of my grandson, but I don't know how to set my camera and lens.
I have a Nikon D100.
What should I set my camera and lens to take good pictures indoors.
Should I use flash and should I set my camera on Auto, program or just use manual? What lens should I use?
Please I need your help. |
|
|
|
01/16/2007 05:26:51 PM · #2 |
| I do a lot of basketball photos, and if i knew how to post them here i will be glad to help |
|
|
|
01/16/2007 05:32:07 PM · #3 |
Indoor sports are a little tough. Flash won't work unless you are on the basketball court (because of the limited range) and in that case you probably won't need flash because you'll be getting hauled away.
If you have a telephoto lens (like 200 mm) you'll have a lot more luck. Use a wide aperture (aperture priority mode) and let the camera take care of the shutter speed. The D100 may have an action mode too that will take of the setting for you.
In any case try to sit as close to the court as you can. Hopefully the lighting will be bright in which case auto or program will suffice.
I guess the only other piece of advise is try predicting where your grandson will be heading so you can line up your shot before he gets there. e.g. If he's rebounding a lot you can get shots of him under the hoop. If he's on the outside shooting 3 pointers you can (hopefully) expect to see him outside the arc.
The D100 may have a mode for continuous shooting which will allow you to fire repeatedly. There may also be an option for continous zoom which will automatically refocus on the subject (even if its moving) until you decide to actually take the shot. Just as note: the mode, option suggestions are from my experience with the D50 and may not apply.
Message edited by author 2007-01-16 17:33:06.
|
|
|
|
01/16/2007 05:35:35 PM · #4 |
get there early or if you can scope it out a day or 2 in advance. I'd recommend you do a custom white balance. Try and shoot at least 1/200th if possible. 1/125 is ok, but be prepared for motion blur on the fast moving shots. don't use Flash unless you have to and in that case make sure you check it out beforehand that it's ok. Don't shoot any long distance shots with flash. What kind of flash do you have? Use your f/2.8 lenses as much as possible.
Message edited by author 2007-01-16 17:37:25. |
|
|
|
01/16/2007 05:37:26 PM · #5 |
High iso is the keyword here. I prefer (more) noise over focus problems because of shallow DOF (if you are far enough of the action than this not a big problem... this with a lens of 200 mm or wider). Furthermore the shutterspeed must be fast for freezing the action. I presume this is not a well lit indoor scene.
So for me: High ISO, Reasonable fast shutterspeed 1/160 and up, aperture of f 4 or maybe a little bit faster f 2,8 if you have it. But this depends from how far your away from the action.
|
|
|
|
01/16/2007 05:41:28 PM · #6 |
| there's some pretty good discussion and tips in this thread about shooting hoops. |
|
|
|
01/16/2007 05:51:19 PM · #7 |
Find it hard to give some advice, but I can share some experience. Do have some difficulties with it myself (although other sport, indoor (field) hockey. Just bought a 135 mm f2.0 (Canon) lens. See for my first results: some photos on PBase (sorry, text in Dutch). Most of the shots are not really action shots.
Hope to do it next weekend better. (Grrrrr, the Match challenge is one of the very few weeks my kids don't have any competition). The AI/servo mode just don't work (don't know if you do have one on Nikon). My next plan: focus on some point and hope there is some action, but it goes so fast :-( |
|
|
|
01/16/2007 06:54:24 PM · #8 |
Hi,
I have only taken a couple thousand basketball photos so far.
You would think I would be better at it.
This is what seems to work best for me so far.
No flash
Custom white balance.
ISO 800/1600
50mm @ f/2.0-2.8 (just what I have to work with) Would love a med. zoom in 2.8 and will be looking for one for soccer and baseball photos this spring. :)
Manual focus
Get all the players together for a team shot durring game day's.
Get shots of the score board durring the game, half time and end of game are good. If you can get the score board in the back ground durring game shots it's kind of cool.
If you can go to there practice take the camera and practice too.
Take lots and lots of photos. I end up with around 300+ durring a game.
After I take out the bad one (out of focus, backs to me, etc..) I am left with around 100+ per game.
Parents have been asking for photos from me. I just put 6 games worth (600+ photos) on a dvd and gave it to one of the parents to check out this afternoon.
At the end of the season I will be putting together a dvd for all the players.
Lots of other parents have been asking my wife for photos from me durring game days.
I have been looking at sporting sites and watching basketball games on tv to see were the pros sit to take photos. I seen one the other night setting up a remote camera to the post of a basket hoop to take photos of when they take there free throw shots.
I would love to get a wireless remote and a second camera body for that someday. :)
Edited to add: Be at the side lines. Move around, end to end, get the tip off at the start of the game. You can go were sign say you can't. :)
One small gym I was at had a small stage at one end. There were signs that said keep off the stage. I did not see them and took photos from there and other places. When I was on the stage taking photos the ref come talk to me, just chit chat. The wife later asked if the ref told me to move because the signs say to stay off the stage, lol..
Message edited by author 2007-01-16 19:07:04. |
|
|
|
01/16/2007 06:58:16 PM · #9 |
Another great idea here.
All my players are 5th graders and just can't jump that high yet, but it would be a cool set up for the big boys.
Message edited by author 2007-01-16 18:59:35. |
|
|
|
01/17/2007 03:37:53 AM · #10 |
Tricky, I photograph sports most of the year. I love basketball. I get really good photos and enjoy getting unusual angles. This is how I photograph basketball. If it is high school get on the sidelines. Usually it is OK. I use two lenses, 80 - 200 2.8 and 18 - 70 3.5-5.4. I also use flash (not when they are shooting a free throw), it not so flat looking. Mosts refs don't mind a flash as long as the losing team is not using you as an excuse. My settings are 1/200th, at least, at 2.8, on the 80 - 200 lens. 1/200th at the lowest apt on the 18 - 70. ISO depends on the lighting of the gym. Usually 800 ISO. Continuous focus helps.
The larger zoom is for closeups and tight crops. I normally stand near the corner of the court with this lens. The smaller is for under the basket and distorted views. Use a large file and you can go into PS and crop.
IMPORTANT!
Be professional.
Watch the refs, they will run you down. Don't give them a reason to kick you off the sidelines.
Watch the players, photograph with both eyes open, they can come off the court in a fury and usually towards the person with the camera. I have seen people seriously hurt. Be nimble.
Take lots of photos!
Have Fun!
Good Luck!
Message edited by author 2007-01-17 03:46:34. |
|
|
|
01/17/2007 03:44:38 AM · #11 |
| the original poster had a nikkor 200mm f2.8 so i think he should be just fine with ISO 200 or 400, depending on the indoor court's lighting. |
|
|
|
01/17/2007 03:52:22 AM · #12 |
| Here's another article: Lighting prep basketball |
|
|
|
12/10/2010 02:20:55 PM · #13 |
Some ideas on framing a Great Basketball photo:
The nice thing about basketball is there is a lot of action. If you miss one shot it will certainly come around again and you will have another opportunity. My favorite shots are when my player has the ball and there is contact and action with the defenders. If I can catch that including my players face and the ball then I have a GREAT shot. Remember your photos are always better with those two things, the ball and the face. The player without the ball just isn̢۪t that interesting and if you can see the ball and not the player̢۪s face not so cool either.
You will find more ideas at sportsphotographysuccess.com |
|
|
|
12/10/2010 11:12:34 PM · #14 |
Since you are new to the world of sports photography, you might enjoy reading this little article I put together several years ago about the equipment and techniques I have learned about shooting sports...
//www.setzler.net/2007/07/15/shooting-sports/
I hope this is helpful :)
|
|
|
|
12/10/2010 11:18:38 PM · #15 |
Originally posted by jmsetzler:
Since you are new to the world of sports photography, you might enjoy reading this little article I put together several years ago about the equipment and techniques I have learned about shooting sports...
//www.setzler.net/2007/07/15/shooting-sports/
I hope this is helpful :) |
It might have been 3 years ago when this thread was created.....of course it is still good advice. :D |
|
|
|
12/10/2010 11:20:21 PM · #16 |
Hmmm... I did not look at the date of the original poster... someone came in before me and revived a really old thread.. lol
|
|
|
|
12/10/2010 11:28:19 PM · #17 |
 
 
Pictures from last night, using following equipment end settings
Canon 40D
Canon 85mm USM F 1.8
ISO 800
Shutter 1/250
F 1.8 |
|
|
|
12/31/2010 02:04:01 PM · #18 |
I have a canon 40d and canon 70-200 2.8 lens that i just got for christmas. Used lens for first time yesterday and was very disappointed because im not sure on camera settings. Shot in m mode with iso on "H" because lighting was so bad. My shots look nothing like these in this forum. Every shot was very blurry, nothing seemed in focus. Could someone please help.
Many thanks! |
|
|
|
12/31/2010 02:51:46 PM · #19 |
I shoot wrestling, which the matches are always held in basketball courts. Some shots below:
  
Aperature priority
85 mm @ F/1.4
1250 ISO
auto white balance which I adjust in post using Nikon Capture NX2...
Neat image to remove noise
I use my 50mm 1.8 a lot too, I originally bought that lens for wrestling.
|
|
|
|
12/31/2010 02:55:36 PM · #20 |
Originally posted by Dstewart:
I have a canon 40d and canon 70-200 2.8 lens that i just got for christmas. Used lens for first time yesterday and was very disappointed because im not sure on camera settings. Shot in m mode with iso on "H" because lighting was so bad. My shots look nothing like these in this forum. Every shot was very blurry, nothing seemed in focus. Could someone please help.
Many thanks! |
You likely had your shutter speed too low. It would help if you could list all of your settings and maybe post a sample or two. I would suggest setting iso on auto and shooting either in AV mode and keeping an eye on the shutter speed or shooting in Tv mode to assure you stop the action. You will probably need a shutter speed of 1/500 but depending on the game you may be able to drop it a little lower. |
|
|
|
01/01/2011 03:25:35 PM · #21 |
| Having trouble getting pictures on. Hope I can get them on soon. |
|
|
|
01/01/2011 11:39:55 PM · #22 |
|
|
|
01/02/2011 12:45:53 AM · #23 |
Originally posted by Dstewart:
I have a canon 40d and canon 70-200 2.8 lens that i just got for christmas. Used lens for first time yesterday and was very disappointed because im not sure on camera settings. Shot in m mode with iso on "H" because lighting was so bad. My shots look nothing like these in this forum. Every shot was very blurry, nothing seemed in focus. Could someone please help.
Many thanks! |
I agree with comments made by others. I'd argue that a 70-200 F2.8 is just about the perfect lens for sports such as basketball. Forget about flash (unless you want to become really unpopular). Shoot in AV with aperture at 2.8 and set your ISO high enough that you are getting shutter speeds of 1/250 or more. Don't fret too much about white balance - get it as close as you can and shoot in RAW so that you can tweak it in PP. |
|
|
|
01/02/2011 04:47:00 PM · #24 |
Could someone tell me how to get photos from my computer to this forum?
Message edited by author 2011-01-02 16:48:06. |
|
|
|
01/02/2011 04:50:34 PM · #25 |
Originally posted by Dstewart:
Could someone tell me how to get photos from my computer to this forum? |
You can't get photos directly to posts. You either have to upload to your portfolio first and post their image IDs, or upload to another server, on the internet, and give link using "image link"
make sure sizes of the images are not huge (for the linked images) |
|
Home -
Challenges -
Community -
League -
Photos -
Cameras -
Lenses -
Learn -
Help -
Terms of Use -
Privacy -
Top ^
DPChallenge, and website content and design, Copyright © 2001-2025 Challenging Technologies, LLC.
All digital photo copyrights belong to the photographers and may not be used without permission.
Current Server Time: 03/13/2025 03:20:49 PM EDT.
