I’m am just thrilled to launch this new part of my site. I am taking on your questions and answering them as if we are friends hanging out at my house. I find it is sometimes easier to understand and explain things through talking than writing. This leads me to our video Q&As!!
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Today’s question is from Jodi and it’s about indoor sports photography tips. I cover what lens is best, white balance issues, settings, and composition ideas.
Indoor sports photography tips
I mentioned several topics in the post and I will put those links below so you can read more about them.
Lens – Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8
White balance – Custom white balance and Kelvins for white balance.
Lacey Meyer’s break out session at Clickin’ Moms
Focus – Metering mode and choosing your focal point
Do you have any tips that I forgot?? Please leave them in the comments. Let’s continue this conversation and help each other!!
I look forward to more of these – thanks for adding them.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!!! Thank you :)
this is fantastic! i also took lacey’s breakout session and loved the idea of taking a picture of your wb card. thank you for taking the time to answer our questions!
Thank you! I am excited about this new series too :)
The lens you recommend in this piece is one of my FAVS for not only sports, but every day shots too. Recently, (and for a small investment) I treated myself to another Tamron sweetie – the70-200mm f/2.8. It’s been a great addition for me, as I shoot lots of sports. Inside it gives me plenty of light, as well as focal length. Now, I carry both lenses to my kids’ games.
Thanks for a great set of tips; I am going to share with friends who are always asking me questions.
I know, it’s a great lens!! I am glad to hear you love your 70-200mm f/2.8 as well!
videos are fun! I liked to hear you chatting!!! Great tip on sports!
Thanks :) It was fun to do!!
Courtney, thank you so much! This is exactly what I was looking for. I am going to put that lens on my Christmas list. I have a grey card, but kind of forgot about it. I can’t wait for our next game so I can try it out! Jodi
I’m so glad to hear you enjoyed it! Thanks for being the first to submit a question!! Hope Santa surprises you with that lens!!
My son is a junior and plays Varsity basketball. Oh the money spent on cameras and lenses over the last 5+ years! I use the tamron 28-70 2.8 and love it. It saves so much time in editing because I don’t have to make a lot of adjustments later in post processing. I sometimes use my 50mm 1.4 when I’m in a gym cave and need to let more light in.
I’m not sure how old your girls are but ask them what they like. I rented a 85mm 1.8 once and loved the way the pictures looked. I was in love. Nice crisp close up shots that captured their expressions and you could almost feel them moving. My son hated the pics! He (and his best friend/co-captain) wanted to see more of the court and teammates. He wants the pictures to tell a story, where was #44 when #15 went up for the buzzer beater 3 point shot? What was the reaction on the bench and the crowd sitting under the basket? Since I really am taking these pictures for them I went with the tamaron. I was just glad I had rented the lens instead of purchasing =)
I forgot to mention that I purchased my tamron during the middle of last season, before that it was my kit lens and i still got some decent shots. so it’s not impossible. shoot in manual, bump up your iso, if you are using a kit lens set your aperture as low as it can go. I personally set my shutter speed around 1/160 to 1/200
That is a great idea to ask your child what they want you to capture! Thanks for sharing!!
Courtney,
Love the Q&A session. My son will be starting basketball again in January. I had such a hard time with pictures last year. I have the Tamron lens you spoke of. I love it too. I took note of all your advice but would you take pictures using a flash? Personally, I don’t like using a flash but didn’t know if I should use it.
Thanks,
Most gyms will not let you use a flash during the game because it could distract the athletes. I am also the Athletic Director of our program and we don’t allow flash in our gym. You should be able to get pretty good shots in most gyms. We play in a lot of poorly lit gyms and there is really only one that I ended up switching to my 50mm 1.4.
Personally, I don’t use my flash. Plus, if you are not right next to your subject the flash doesn’t really do much anyway. Like Mimi said, some gyms do not allow it. Hope that helps :)
Great tips on indoor sports photography! I appreciate your thoughts and insights.