Setting Recomedations Please

23Mako

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Hello and thanks in advance for your feedback

I just got a DSLR and looking for settings advice for shooting field sports (Soccer, Softball) as well as hockey which have been very challenging. I would like to get your advice on what priority to use and settings. As well as tips on setting the correct white balance in an ice rink. Would also be interested in any other tips tricks for downfalls as wel

I am using the following equipment
Camera - Nikon D3300
Lense - Nikon AF-S VR Zoom-Nikkor 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED (4.3x)
Focal length - 70-300mm
Maximum aperture - f/4.5-5.6
Minimum aperture - f/32-40​
 
The first and foremost important thing about sports is stopping motion/ action.

This requires you to find the Shutter speed that you want.
For instance in U6 soccer I could get away with slower than 1/320 shutter speed.
in U8, I had to go faster
In U14 I'm at 1/640+

Thus you have to find the spot where you want to stop motion, or maybe have a little fast foot (or ball) blur if you want.

Aperture - as open (smallest number) as possible.

When you ask about White balance you will need something to shoot at that is white, or 16% grey to actual set WB correctly. Or you can adjust in post. FOr instance I normally shoot these cards first 3in1 Digital White Black Grey Balance Cards Neck Strap fr Digital Photography TS

in order to set white balance correctly in Post Processing in Adobe LightRoom.

Your ISO will become important as in indoor sports you may have light limitations.
If images are too dark then if you adjust your shutter slower you'll start to introduce motion blur. So pushing ISO may be the best alternative. you don't have "fast" or large aperture lenses such as a f/2.8 or f/1.8 which let in more light to compensate further for low light situations.

I always use Manual setting
with a specific Shutter Speed, and a specific Aperture
then I set ISO to AUTO with a maximum ISO value that I prefer.
as I'd rather introduce some noise than get motion blur. Then I'll work it in post processing to refine the image.
 
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I've done hockey, I use manual settings and set for a fast shutter speed. Hockey takes timing, anticipating the action (where they'll go next, although it can turn and go the other way). Get set and let the action come to you and don't try to follow it all over the ice.

Maybe ask what type lighting is in the arena. Could be fluorescent. If it's an arena with windows around the rink you might have to do test shots and see what works best in mixed light. In some local rinks I try to notice where the lighting looks best, there are a couple in my area that are particularly dark in the corners of the rink. At least the ice reflects some light so if you can get closer to the ice that might help (depending on where you're allowed to sit or stand).

At some point if you're able to get a used lens that's sharper that would probably make for an improvement.

Go early, figure out good vantage points, notice backgrounds, get in some practice during warmups.
 
Above is good advise. A few things to add.
1. Single focus point. Usually the center point but that depends on the body and focus point quality.
2. Continuous focus mode.
3. Back button focus.
4. And this one is the killer. Faster glass. Your 70-300 is ok for outdoor daylight sports but for low light and indoor you need faster glass. The best recommendation I would make for someone in your situation is a 70-200 f2.8. It is pricey, but then sports photography is very demanding on the shooter and the gear. Fast glass is a must and it is much cheaper than my 200mm f2.0, 300mm f2.8 or 400mm f2.8.

Next, If you do not feel comfortable shooting in manual then I will suggest you shoot in Aperture Value. While that may sound strange since you need high shutter speeds to freeze action let me explain. A good sports photo isolates action. The best way to isolate action is to shoot with a very wide aperture/narrow DOF. That is what makes the action pop from the photo. If you shoot in AV you keep you shutter speed up with your ISO . Need a faster shutter speed increase your ISO to get the speed you want. Shooting in Shutter value it is too easy to forget about making the action pop and then all you get are a bunch of snapshots. Keep in mind that shutter speed and aperture are far more important than ISO in a sports shot. You can't fix a DOF that is too deep or blurry action, you can clean up ISO in post processing

Astro Nikon is pretty well on for minimum shutter speeds. Vintage Snaps is right. Learn the sport, anticipate the action but also know the players their strengths and weaknesses.

Soccer, I generally shoot from the opposite side line of the team that I am shooting. The reason for this is that the vast majority of the players in any sport are right side dominant. This way you will for the most part have bodies and faces in your direction and the action in front of those players. Work the sideline and end line and stay at least 10 feet away from either. You are there to capture action. In the grand scheme of things you are nothing to that game and you should make absolutely ZERO impact on that game.

Softball/baseball, if you can shoot from the field side of the dugout it's a great spot. It requires the permission of the umpires, usually the head ump. Keep in mind you will have a small place to be and you will have to stay in that place. You will become part of the field so be aware of that. You can be taking your life in your own hands. If you can't shoot from the field then from the stands in the same location. Also shoot from behind the home plate ump to one side or the other. You can get great pitcher shots as well as some good field shots if you have the reach.

Hockey, usually I shoot from behind the goal area. Arena sports are not the easiest to move in like a field sport so pick a spot where you can get the action coming at you. Shots of backs are pretty much worthless.

Shoot low. Faces and expressions are very much part of the action and you want to capture them whenever possible.

Finally, this may seem as too much work for some, get yourself an good White balance target and use it to set a custom white balance before the game on the field if you are going to shoot JPG or to give you a good reference to adjust white balance in post if you are shooting RAW.
 
thanks for the advice I we have games this weekend see how it goes


The first and foremost important thing about sports is stopping motion/ action.

This requires you to find the Shutter speed that you want.
For instance in U6 soccer I could get away with slower than 1/320 shutter speed.
in U8, I had to go faster
In U14 I'm at 1/640+

Thus you have to find the spot where you want to stop motion, or maybe have a little fast foot (or ball) blur if you want.

Aperture - as open (smallest number) as possible.

When you ask about White balance you will need something to shoot at that is white, or 16% grey to actual set WB correctly. Or you can adjust in post. FOr instance I normally shoot these cards first 3in1 Digital White Black Grey Balance Cards Neck Strap fr Digital Photography TS

in order to set white balance correctly in Post Processing in Adobe LightRoom.

Your ISO will become important as in indoor sports you may have light limitations.
If images are too dark then if you adjust your shutter slower you'll start to introduce motion blur. So pushing ISO may be the best alternative. you don't have "fast" or large aperture lenses such as a f/2.8 or f/1.8 which let in more light to compensate further for low light situations.

I always use Manual setting
with a specific Shutter Speed, and a specific Aperture
then I set ISO to AUTO with a maximum ISO value that I prefer.
as I'd rather introduce some noise than get motion blur. Then I'll work it in post processing to refine the image.
 
As an eBay Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

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