Setting suggestions

RadioAndy · Mar 1, 2015

Hi all,

New to this forum. I hope to learn a lot from here and help where I can.

I'm looking for some suggestions on what settings I should/could shoot for this type of area. It is indoor soccer with pretty much no outside light. The pre set settings don't do much so I want to go full manual. I took this photo with an iPhone. I am using a Canon T3 wit a 75-300 lense. Maybe when I have $$ I can get faster glass but this is what I have to work with for now. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks!

480sparky · Mar 1, 2015

I would shoot a venue like this in nothing BUT full manual. Once I peg the white balance, and choose a suitable ISO/apterture/shutter speed that works with the lens I would be using, then there would be no need to do any post-processing, especially in terms of white balance. I can't suggest any ISO/apterture/shutter speed combination as that all depends on how bright the lighting is, and that's not something any of us here can tell you.

This is basically a set, predictable lighting set-up. Once I have everything set, I can concentrate on shooting.

Overread · Mar 1, 2015

Manual is how I would shoot this too. As for settings I'd use:

1) Aperture - as wide as your lens will go, ergo smallest f number. Note on your lens this value might be different at the 70mm and 300mm ends of the zoom range so keep an eye on it.

2) Shutterspeed - this will be a bit of a case of trial and error. I would start at 1/640sec and see how it goes. If you're getting blur where you don't want it go faster (if possible); whilst if you're getting sharp shots try going down to 1/500sec and see what kind of results you get there.

3) ISO - set your aperture and shutter and then set the ISO as high as needed to get a good exposure.

Chances are if its indoors with no outside light its going to be putting your ISO at or very near its maximum. Check the manual to see if your camera has an ISO expansion/high mode (which basically raises its max ISO by one value beyond its default as you will likely need every bit you can).

Try to get good solid exposures without overexposing; the better the exposure the less noise you'll get (even at a higher ISO). Check hte histogram and ensure you're getting as much of the bulk of the graph on the right side; whilst not actually hitting the far right and overexposing (the camera should blink on review over any areas on the shot that are over-exposed).

I'd take a test shot of the scene like you've done with your camera you're using to check exposure before starting. Don't be discouraged if you have your ISO at max; your aperture wide open and your shutter speed as slow as you dare and still get some under-exposure; this kind of venue is very demanding on gear (which is why pros oft use f2.8 lenses in these situations).

480sparky · Mar 1, 2015

I wouldn't shoot wide open, unless that's the only way to get a shutter speed I need that the camera's highest ISO will allow. I'd shoot f/5.6 or 8 so I wouldn't have to worry about slight focus issues, or about the lens' variable aperture.

Overread · Mar 1, 2015

Chances are f5.6 is wide open at the long end. f2.8 is generally enough so long as you nail the focus on the primary subjects eyes. f2 might also be enough but any smaller and, yes, it would be impractical. Thing is indoors its dark and you're really pushing for a faster shutter speed.

What I've suggested is, of course, a starting point. You could have ample light to allow you to use a smaller, sharper aperture without problems when you try on the day.

weepete · Mar 1, 2015

Due to the light you may have to shoot fully open. Here's the setting I would start with:

Auto ISO
CWA metering
Ai servo mode
High speed burst
Shutter speed as close to 1/1250th as you can get (may need to go lower like 1/500th)
Aperture wide open
Jpeg
Single point AF point or expanded

Generally shoot a little wider than you'd frame it and crop in post.

480sparky · Mar 1, 2015

Overread said:
Chances are f5.6 is wide open at the long end. f2.8 is generally enough .......

I doubt the OP has a 70-300 f/2.8.

Bebulamar · Mar 1, 2015

Looking at your picture the lighting is very even except right in front of the iphone was somewhat darker but may be 1 stop. Shouldn't be any problem to pick the right setting. You should do that before hand.

dennybeall · Mar 1, 2015

Raising the ISO will make the shots noisy but you'll capture the action. Depending on what you need the photos for that may not be a problem.

Christabel · Mar 2, 2015

Agree with dennybeall. Indoor photography is a most challenging work for new photographer. I strongly suggest that you continue to experiment and take several shots of everything, also known as bracket shooting. This will give you a better idea of what is and isn’t working for you.

nabors392 · Mar 2, 2015

Yes

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480sparky · Mar 2, 2015

Christabel said:
Agree with dennybeall. Indoor photography is a most challenging work for new photographer. I strongly suggest that you continue to experiment and take several shots of everything, also known as bracket shooting. This will give you a better idea of what is and isn’t working for you.

Why bother bracketing? The lighting is not going to change. Once you find the ISO/shutterspeed/aperture combination that works, bracketing each shot is just a waste of time.