RL at Night.

-Paul-

-Paul-

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How do all you professional sports togs manage to get such great pictures at the night matches? Is it the equiptment you have, better floodlights? What shutter speeds ect do you use? do you use any exposure compensation and/or noise reduction software?
Thanks for any help guys!
 
Bet they wouldn't have got many good shots at Langtree Park last night.
 
Jack Flash said:
Bet they wouldn't have got many good shots at Langtree Park last night.
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Why, i was at Warrington kast night during a blizzard and did OK

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When the light becomes testing, as it is when shooting most night games in the UK, especially during the winter periods, it really does make you take your kit to its extreme settings.

Fast wide open apertures, high ISO's and as fast a shutter speed as you can achieve.

If I had the choice of kit for this type of shooting, I'd select the 200mm f2 and a 135 f2 both on higher end bodies capable of handling noise at the higher ISO's.

Just to add extra issues, the lighting at lower leagues tend to be quite poor. Some of the televised night games have extra lighting specifically for the TV cameras. This makes shooting stills a lot easier. But at the venues in the lower leagues you might be shooting ISO 6400/12800 @ f2.8 with a max shutter speed of maybe 1/320 or 1/500 if you are lucky.

In these condition, you will need to fill the frame as any cropping will result in very noisy images.
 
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Tugster said:
Just to add extra issues, the lighting at lower leagues tend to be quite poor. Some of the televised night games have extra lighting specifically for the TV cameras. This makes shooting stills a lot easier. But at the venues in the lower leagues you might be shooting ISO 6400/12800 @ f2.8 with a max shutter speed of maybe 1/320 or 1/500 if you are lucky.

In these condition, you will need to fill the frame as any cropping will result in very noisy images.
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I resemble that remark! Its true that sports is one area that having better gear does make your photos better. Hopeless with 'standard' lenses and bodies. Been there, bought the t-shirt (and the gear!)
 
Photodiva said:
I resemble that remark! Its true that sports is one area that having better gear does make your photos better. Hopeless with 'standard' lenses and bodies. Been there, bought the t-shirt (and the gear!)
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Im gonna have to slightly disagree with you there Carol, give a relative novice but a capable photographer a D3S and 400mm f/2.8 and put him against a seasoned pro who fully understands his subject, understands the the game play, knows how to get the best out of his gear under awkward conditions and knows its limitations, give him a D300S and a 70-200mm f/2.8 and i bet i know who will produce the better images
 
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I think that the right tools does make it easier. Put those same tools in the hands of experienced sports photographer and they will no doubt produce better results.
 
Tugster said:
I think that the right tools does make it easier. Put those same tools in the hands of experienced sports photographer and they will no doubt produce better results.
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Sort of what i was saying but i came from a different angle, not bumped into you for a while mate.
 
Gary Coyle said:
Im gonna have to slightly disagree with you there Carol, give a relative novice but a capable photographer a D3S and 400mm f/2.8 and put him against a seasoned pro who fully understands his subject, understands the the game play, knows how to get the best out of his gear under awkward conditions and knows its limitations, give him a D300S and a 70-200mm f/2.8 and i bet i know who will produce the better images
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I'm going to hazard a guess that this wasn't quite what Carol had in mind when she said standard camera & lens.
 
fabs said:
I'm going to hazard a guess that this wasn't quite what Carol had in mind when she said standard camera & lens.
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Probably, but even with a D200 and 70-300mm f/4.5 VR a top class pro could produce better pics on a regular basis, my intention was meant to say it's not all about the gear, the gear helps but believe me there are guys out there covering what i cover with £20K worth of gear who cant produce anything worth publishing on a regular basis.

Obviously as Tug says better gear will help a good photographer produce better results but not always the case with someone inexperienced with little knowledge of the subject theyre shooting.
 
Bluesman graham said:
Some cracking images Gary!:thumbs:,
#60 is superb & deserves national usage!
I'm snowed in @ home so not gonna make it to Wigan tonight :(. See you soon. Graham.

& to answer the OP thread yes it's a combination of all.
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Heinz may well be interested in that one too Gary ?
 
Bluesman graham said:
Some cracking images Gary!:thumbs:,
#60 is superb & deserves national usage!
I'm snowed in @ home so not gonna make it to Wigan tonight :(. See you soon. Graham.

& to answer the OP thread yes it's a combination of all.
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Struggled first half with close up stuff as i stupidly left my second D3S battery on charge complete with battery door so left home without it, only realised 5 minutes before KO, i had some spare batteries but no door cover, DOH.

Had to break out the gripped D800 for its first use at actual action, i normally have it set for shooting ground photos etc, etc, left it until half time to faff about with the settings and the AF worked a treat but limited to 4fps so tried for last 15 minutes in crop mode for 5fps and first action it was called upon to capture was the Hodgson try right close up to me, maybe 10 yards away at most.
 
-Paul- said:
So, Would I be right if I condensed all the advice and comments from above and say it's a combination of Lighting, Experience and kit?
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Yes mate, dont be afraid to up the ISO, a grainy image is better than none at all and will still look pretty decent on stock newspaper at 72dpi.
 
Hi Afgha,
you'de have to join a queue at Warrington, last count I think there where already 5 or 6 "Official" club photographers!!:D
 
Gary Coyle said:
Im gonna have to slightly disagree with you there Carol, give a relative novice but a capable photographer a D3S and 400mm f/2.8 and put him against a seasoned pro who fully understands his subject, understands the the game play, knows how to get the best out of his gear under awkward conditions and knows its limitations, give him a D300S and a 70-200mm f/2.8 and i bet i know who will produce the better images
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Ah yes, Gary. But I was talking about 'real' basic stuff, a 20D and a 70-300 f4-f5.6 as a starter. Soon worked out that even though that was better than the other 'tog had, it really wasn't good enough. Its chaps like you who raise the bar and inspire beginners!!
 
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