Any good "How to shoot basketball" links or threads?

[Rob4bama]

That is shoot photos and not the ball. I went to the gym today during my planning period during practice and it seems tough. I have a 70-200 Canon, 50mm and 85mm, and 17-50 f2.8. Thanks!

 

[MLeeK]

I use my 70-200 and choose a spot at one corner of the court. Because they switch ends at the half it gives me shots of both teams and some great close stuff. 70-200 is my go to lens.

 

[Tony S]

Lke MLeek said, the corners are good. If you can get on an endline, between the three point arc and the lines for the lane, you get nice site lines and good action up close coming at you.

I shoot basketball with 2 bodies, one will have the 70-200 2.8 on it and the other will have the 24-70 2.8. For some wider angle shots, especially if I can bet right under the basket, I occasionally will throw on the 17-35 and shoot wide. Keep your ISO cranked up enough to get sharp pictures... better nicely exposed and sharp with noise than blurred and still have noise.


Ohhh, and you don't get away with being lazy by asking us to look for threads.......... use the search tool at the top. lol

 

[Rob4bama]

Didn't know there was a search on here. I should used the advice I give my students...."Google it!" Thanks!

So did I waste my money on the 85mm? I got it just for basketball.

 

[Tony S]

I've used the 85mm a couple of times, but find it slower to focus than the rest of my lens line up in the darker gyms.

 

[fjrabon]

basketball is very much about knowing the team, their plays, their best players and being able to anticipate where the ball will be going next. If you do nothing else, just figure out who their leading scorer is, and always have an eye on him/her. I usually shoot the first and 3rd quarters from a corner, to get your 'need that shot' type standard shots of both teams, and in quarters 2 and 4 I roam trying to get shots under the basket (if allowed), shots of the benches, and anything particularly unusual and interesting I can find.