Sports photography

[Johnny A]

Hello everyone. I’m new to this forum and very excited to get feedback from everyone. I’m about a year into photography so I’m still learning the ropes. Lately I have been engaging in sports photos. Basketball to be exact. Indoor gym, I’m wide open at 2.8, shutter is 1/1000 auto ISO 50mm. My problem is focusing. What is the recommended AF area when spot AF and single point AF seems to be a challenge? The focus is on the wrong player or someone in the background etc. I’m struggling, missing great shots because they are blurred. Our last game is in two weeks. Any suggestions???

 

[Jeff15]

Hello and welcome, what shutter speed are yo using for your action shots ... ?

 

[Rickbb]

Try manual focus.

 

[Johnny A]

Hello and welcome, what shutter speed are yo using for your action shots ... ?

Hi Jeff. Shutter is at 1/1000. I could try to crank it up a bit.

 

[snowbear]

Post a couple examples so we can see.

It could be shutter speed, or it coul;d be the wide-open aperture is will lower the depth of field. It's possible the AF is picking up the closest thing and most of what is beyond it is OOF. What's the ISO? Try shooting at f/4 and see if it's better.

 

[Johnny A]

Try manual focus.

Hi Rickbb,

I could give that a try. Thanks.

 

[Johnny A]

Post a couple examples so we can see.

It could be shutter speed, or it coul;d be the wide-open aperture is will lower the depth of field. It's possible the AF is picking up the closest thing and most of what is beyond it is OOF. What's the ISO? Try shooting at f/4 and see if it's better.

Hi Snowbear.
I was thinking about the aperture. You make a good point. My ISO is very high around 8000 because the gym lights are not the greatest. I will make the adjustment to my aperture and see what happens. Thank you.

 

[greybeard]

Try using continuous focus and single point. That way the camera will follow focus while you have the shutter button 1/2 pressed until you see the shot you want and then snap away.