Shooting Sports: Beginner's Guide

Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III

07/15/2007 10:59:34 PM · #1

I have been working on this for the last few days and thought I would post it here as well. There are a lot of included photos, so I can't cross post...

Shooting Sports: A beginner's guide to sports photography

colorcarnival

Olympus 45mm f/1.8 M.Zuiko Digital

07/15/2007 11:10:26 PM · #2

I glanced thru - I like that you included photos and it is easy to read as well.

Thanks!

dwterry

Canon EOS-1D Mark III

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

07/15/2007 11:52:55 PM · #3

Wow, you've done a great job of explaining, both in word and in image, the important concepts. I've taken tons of soccer and lacrosse images (and even at that, don't consider myself an expert at all), but I learned a few things about other sports just by reading your tutorial.

Thanks for sharing!

levyj413

Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max

Tamron SP AF 17-50mm f/2.8 Di II LD Aspherical (IF) for Nikon

07/16/2007 12:24:04 AM · #4

John, that's a fantastic tutorial. Thanks!

Can you help me understand how to use the camera's ability to stay focused on a moving target? I know my camera can do it, but I need the shooting technique - do you hold the camera still and let it keep track of where the target is? Or can you pan and it'll still stay locked regardless of where the target moves in the frame? Or do you need to keep the target over the same focusing spot as it was on when you started?

Thanks!

Sigma 15-30mm f/3.5-4.5 EX Aspherical DG DF for Minolta

07/16/2007 01:10:04 AM · #5

Originally posted by levyj413:

When I'm shooting sports, I generally have my camera setup so that only the center AF point is active. I don't necessarily hold the camera still though. I follow the moving target with the camera. I don't generally use the AI SERVO focus when I'm panning. I do use it when a subject is moving towards me or away from me.

MrEd

Sony DSLR-A100

07/16/2007 01:28:38 AM · #6

A little late to read the whole thing now. But, skimming through, it looks very informative. I'll do that tomorrow. Thanks for all the info, I could use it :)

MadMan2k

Sony Alpha a6400

Tamron 70-180mm F/2.8 Di III VXD

07/16/2007 01:40:13 AM · #7

Thanks for writing the article, it was helpful. Makes me look forward to shooting official games where everyone knows what they're doing and it's on a real field.

For what I shoot, I usually use all the AF points and Servo mode. It's pretty good about figuring out which subject you want if you keep it in the 'ring of fire' (line of fire for a lot of cameras). For slow moving sports or still things I use the * button to focus (CFn 4), and for fast sports I leave it on the shutter button. Sometimes the focus works great, other times it tracks the background instead of the subject. I'm pretty sure using a telephoto would eliminate that problem because the background is so far out of focus.

It's always good to use good timing, even if you have 8 or 10 fps. It's pretty hard to follow what's going on when the viewfinder is flashing so fast. I usually use one shot mode, but fire the shutter a bunch of times fast if I need a burst, like a semi-auto.

Peleng 8mm f/3.5 Fisheye MC In M42 Mount

07/16/2007 01:47:09 AM · #8

Originally posted by MadMan2k:

I usually use one shot mode, but fire the shutter a bunch of times fast if I need a burst, like a semi-auto.

I run into big problems doing that. It's why I switched to servo mode. If a subject is moving towards you quickly, it can actually get inside your depth of field in just a fraction of a second when you are shooting wide apertures at long focal lengths. The AI SERVO does a great job of figuring that out for you and compensating for it in a burst.

AJSullivan

07/16/2007 08:17:37 AM · #9

Definitely like the section on baseball (and probably could have benefited from it greatly 2 months ago!) Overall, incredibly useful and informative.

Matthew

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

07/16/2007 09:13:07 AM · #10

Thanks John. Some good tips. Please note that you don't get "scores" in soccer, but goals... ;-)

I posted some thoughts and examples on motion panning in motor racing in this thread, if it is of interest.

Message edited by author 2007-07-16 09:13:20.

angelfire

Canon EOS-350D Rebel XT

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6

07/16/2007 09:20:37 AM · #11

Awsome timing! I just got asked to try Sports Photography for our local paper!! Thanks!!!!

Spork99

OM System OM-1

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro

07/16/2007 09:51:33 AM · #12

Well done John.

I do have a suggestion though. When you talk about photographing pitchers, why don't you call them "pitcher pitchers"?

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro

07/16/2007 11:09:50 AM · #13

Originally posted by Spazmo99:

Well done John.

I do have a suggestion though. When you talk about photographing pitchers, why don't you call them "pitcher pitchers"?

You know... that thought DID cross my mind :)

Spork99

OM System OM-1

07/16/2007 11:46:12 AM · #14

Originally posted by jmsetzler:

Originally posted by Spazmo99:
Well done John.

I do have a suggestion though. When you talk about photographing pitchers, why don't you call them "pitcher pitchers"?

You know... that thought DID cross my mind :)

If you could then have the "pitcher pitchers" put on pitchers the way some sites do with mugs, you could then serve your ice tea in "Pitcher pitcher pitchers"!!!!

SDW

Canon EOS-60D

Tamron AF 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di LD Aspherical IF for Canon

07/16/2007 11:47:26 AM · #15

A very good read and nice photographs as well. Thank you for putting your camera settings under each photograph.

bmartuch

Nikon D7200

Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 35mm f/1.8G

07/16/2007 12:13:07 PM · #16

I really like your shots and I enjoy shooting sports shots also. One big problem is the lack of a press pass for anything other than high school. I will read your tips later tonight when I have more time.

07/16/2007 12:18:53 PM · #17

Originally posted by bmartuch:

That's a big problem sometimes. Most of the sports I shoot is high school stuff. Getting credentials is something I can't offer you much assistance with though. Since I have been working as a photographer for my local newspaper, they get me the credentials I need. I also get credentials from Minor League Baseball, but that doesn't come through the paper. If you have minor league baseball in your area, I can probably hook you up with a contact that would get you those credentials.

glad2badad

Apple iPhone 16 Pro

Lensbaby Sweet 35 Optic

07/16/2007 12:32:36 PM · #18

Great article John! Best lunchtime read I've had in a while. :) Thanks for sharing this.

One observation that I found humorous...the second basketball section photo, with the 2 girls on the baseline drive. Did anyone notice the people in the stands? Looks like only 1 or 2 out of 10 are watching the game! :P

Sigma 15-30mm f/3.5-4.5 EX Aspherical DG DF for Minolta

07/16/2007 12:45:20 PM · #19

Originally posted by glad2badad:

I did notice that when I first looked at the image. High school sports are more of a social event for the people in attendance than anything else. They do claim to care if their team wins or loses though, but in most cases, the game is of little interest until the end :)

High school basketball here is also a 'long day' of games. That photograph would have been in the third game of the day. JV girls play first, then JV boys, then varsity women, and then varsity men. The varsity men's games probably get more attention than any other in the series...

MrEd

Sony DSLR-A100

07/16/2007 01:26:06 PM · #20

Great job John......

smurfguy

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

07/16/2007 02:14:39 PM · #21

Good stuff!

One thing: in the basketball section, there are three shots taken with the 50mm as opposed to the 70-200mm. I notice that these (IMO) seem to be less visually appealing - maybe it's the colors aren't as vivid, or the white balance is off, or there is more grain. Would you attribute this to lens quality, post processing differences, or are they simply less aesthetic shots (subjects less visually separated from the bkg, etc)?

bmartuch

Nikon D7200

Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 35mm f/1.8G

07/16/2007 02:21:57 PM · #22

Actually, we do have a minor league baseball team in our area. In fact, my wife and I purchased an 8 game package. The team is "The Great Lakes Loons" in Midland, Michigan which is part of the Dodgers organization. The head coach is Lance Parrish from Detroit Tiger world series fame. I've taken a lot of pictures but they won't let me in where the press gets to. I know they have a job to do but it sure would be cool.

Later tonight, I'll upload some of the shots I've taken and you can let me know what you think.

This is one that I took at a local high school track meet.

Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 35mm f/1.8G

07/16/2007 02:28:45 PM · #23

Originally posted by smurfguy:

Those three photos came from three different gymnasiums, all of which have pathetic lighting. I choose to use my 50mm lens in those places in order to help me get a decent shutter speed without having to rely on my flash as a primary light source. Each of those gyms also has different types of lighting ranging from sodium vapor to mercury vapor.

Combining those light sources with my flash and with color casting that comes from the gym floor, color correction is a nightmare. Whether or not they are less visually appealing, I don't know. The color problems ARE an issue. It has nothing to do with lens quality.

bmartuch

Nikon D7200

07/16/2007 02:30:06 PM · #24

Here is another one.