Express Action Sports

I’ve had loads of trouble with pictures etc, every time i go to take a picture of a moving image ie. a horse, by the time it takes the horse has moved out of the picture! it drives me crazy!

You problem may have a lot to do with what is called shutter lag. All P&S cameras have lag to some extent or another.

http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/shutter-lag.htm

Those who shoot action or sports photography use DSLR cameras … their shutter lag is measured in milliseconds instead of seconds like P&S cameras are.

I have a Kodak Z981 Camera and I was looking to take pictures of the volleyball games and basketball games at my high school but when I try all of my pictures are like foggy and fuzzy. I have had it set on Sports mode and several others. What can I do to improve the quality of these pictures

First you need a dSLR camera.

It needs to have at least a ISO range up to 3200.

And you need a relative fast lens.

Here is a sample when shooting with a 24-70 mm lens indoors

http://s862.photobucket.com/albums/ab182/fotomanaz/Answers%20album/?action=view&current=iBeckyTwoTimed.jpg

You will notice that there is some blur, but it is not objectionable.

Always shoot with your camera on its highest resolution settings possible and with the white balance set to the lighting where you are shooting.

The problem is that you are shooting with a P&S camera with no manual settings available.

I have a passion for photography. I’m in my early 20’s I really want to own a photography business. Do any of you own a photography business? Did you go to school for it? Any ideas, suggestions would be a great help Thanks for your time!

You don’t need a college degree. What you do need is (a) a good portfolio of your work, (b) a rock solid business plan and (c) enough capital to get the additional goods & services you need to launch and to keep the doors open during the first few months while you’re still building a customer base.

The business plan should identify who your target customers are, e.g. going after weddings in or near your home town vs. sports action photography…you get the idea. Who are they? How many of them are there? What are their buying habits? What do they read and watch (for placing advertising)? Etc. It should also identify your competition: who are they? How many of them are there? What sources of competitive advantage do you have over them, e.g. lower prices, specialization in some type of photography, etc.

It should also explain what you’ve got, what you need and how you’ll pay for it.

It needs to include your marketing plan: How will you reach your customers and bring them back for repeat business? (Hint: personal selling)

I’m getting into sports photography at the semi-professional level and was wondering if anyone has used the Sigma 300mm f/2.8 lens. The price difference is over $1000 and I’ve heard at times that the Sigma lenses are much better than they were in the past. Anyone’s thoughts or comments?

I actually use that Sigma lens and can tell you that it is great, I shoot with a Nikon but it’s the same lens as it would be for Canon. Obviously if money is no object always go with the same manufacturer of your camera for your lenses but personally I would say this lens is well worth it especially if you need to watch your expenses. I shoot a lot of sports action and have no complaints about the Sigma lens at all.

Im currently in high school and Im going to begin doing sports photography with a Nikon D7000. Im going to be shooting both indoor sports and outdoor sports. Id like to get something with a large zoom capacity, but could also go wide angle. I dont care if its Tamron or Sigma or some other brand as long as its a good lens.My budget is under $900. Thanks!

When shooting indoor or night sports you need a lens with a f/2.8 aperture and even then you will be shooting at 3200 ISO.

The Nikkor 24-70 mm f/2.8 costs almost $2,000 and that lens is the one used for shooting along the baseline of basketball or sidelines of other court games.

I use a Nikkor 300 mm f/2.8 when shooting cross court at basketball games and football as well as baseball.

When shooting outdoors, then you can use lenses that have smaller maximum lens apertures, so they will fall within your budget.

Here are two shots using the Nikkor 300 mm f/2.8

http://s862.photobucket.com/albums/ab182/fotomanaz/Answers%20album/?action=view&current=i_AIA3008copy.jpg

http://s862.photobucket.com/albums/ab182/fotomanaz/Answers%20album/?action=view&current=iBonnerInAirc.jpg

As you can see, when shooting under low light conditions, you do need a fast lens. If shooting shots during day time games, the AF-S 70-300 mm VR lens is fine. The f/5.6 lens aperture at 300 mm is not going to be a hindrance when used in bright sun or even overcast days

Here is a link to all the Nikkor lenses that are available.

http://www.nikonusa.com/en/Nikon-Products/Camera-Lenses/All-Lenses/index.page

If you had a Nikon D3, you could shoot at ISO 6400 using a nice 200-400 mm f/4 lens, but again, those tools are too far out of your budget.

As you are going to learn, the cost of the tools used by sports photographers are quite high.

I want a very nice camera money is not an issue, i want one good for sports, photography and video caming and taking lively photos that will last me forever what kind of camera do i need? 🙂 thank you.

There is NO such camera

The fact that a digital camera is always evolving, means that every 5 to 6 years, you will be upgrading the body.
Shooting sports has much more to do with your skills as a photographer and having the right lens

Sample:

http://s862.photobucket.com/albums/ab182/fotomanaz/Answers%20album/?action=view&current=i_AIA3008copy.jpg

And finally, here is what you need to know before you start thinking about shooting amazing video using a dSLR with a video feature.

http://www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/camcorders/cam-cam.shtml

Once you understand the limitations of ANY camera, you will not become frustrated with whatever camera you buy and you can start saving your pennies for the camera and lenses that will suit your needs.

At present the two most used entry level dSLR cameras are the Nikon D3200 and Canon T3i/600D, both cost under $1,000

I have a Canon Rebel T3. I take a lot of sports pictures mostly basketball and volleyball so indoor sports. I have a 18-55mm lens and a 75-300mm lens.. I usually use the 75-300 and I get really good pictures! but I was wondering if there are better lens’ for sports that wont cost more then around 200 dollars or so. thanks so much! or any tips on getting better indoor sports pictures would be great too!

There’s really no good lens you can buy for $200. Unfortunately, the price is everything when it comes to lens. For fast action, you need a lens with a large aperture. Unfortunately, the larger the aperture, the more expensive, exponentially. Check out the pros with those bazooka style lens, that what it takes to freeze the action from far away. But those will cost you tens of thousands of dollars.

What you can do is try to get closer to the action, that way you don’t have to zoom as much. Also, try to pan with the action. With enough practice, you can actually get a nice focus shot of a moving object. So like when a basketball player jumps up diagonally, pan your camera in the same direction. You can get some cool effects with the player being in focus and the background blurred.

Hope this helps,
-Wei
www.artofwei.com

I’m considering getting a SLR, possibly a canon? I want one that I can get good shot from a distance and take action shots(for sports, etc.) without a blur.

This is how I do it; that’s as affordable as I can make it….

– Canon 500D.
– 75-300mm IS lens

In my eyes; this is as cheap and light as it is possible.
Advantage
– cheap
– light
– long reach
disadvantage
– plastic mount. not as durable
– slow lens i think it is a 6.3 at 300mm
– not protected from the elements

For sports photography, having long reach is just a small piece of a bigger puzzle.
– getting as close as you can to the player or the person. They stand on teh sideline for a reason
– fast lens (some use 300mm f/2.8 <– very expensive)
– if you are taking picture in harsh weather conditions. Dirt bikes; snow… You need weather protection… Canon 7d + 70-200mm f/2.8

edit; the rest of it is knowing the gear you are using….
fast shutter speed to freeze the action
high iso to get the faster speed
getting the proper exposure… etc

I am doing a graduation project and im doing it on sports photogaraphy so i need hints and tips on it

Used multi shot think ahead so you will be in focus make sure that your speed is fast enough to stop the action. Shoot the practice and you will be ready for the real thing. Good luck.

I have just recently acquired a Nikon D80 and I am having a few problems. When in sports mode the pics come out blurry. So I have to shoot in auto, although I am getting better in the priority modes. I shoot mainly sports. A the moment I am shooting my brother play indoor hockey. The lighting isn’t that good. So I tried in auto, the shots where still but very dark. In sports mode, it was lighter but blurry. So please help me out! But any other general advice on sports photography would be good also.

Drop the zoom, get a fast prime and shoot shutter priority. Or even manual if you have consistent night/indoor lighting and can get it dialed in.

http://www.nikonians.org/html/resources/guides/sports_101/index.html