Shippensburg University Volleyball

[19riddler90]

Camera: Canon EOS Digital Rebel Xti
Aperture: f/5.0
Shutter: 1/50
Iso: 1600
Metering Mode: Evaluative Meter Mode

This a Low light sport action shot; Shippensburg University Volleyball.

I would like to know how I would be able to get a better shot with this particular camera. I know that equipment is key when it come to low light settings but I'm pretty sure someone may have a tip and trick that may be able to share.

I know that this photo has some blur to it, but I like the effect it brings to the photo. It gives a sense of motion. Moving in for the kill!

"While the woman in the middle is setting the ball, the other three women that are surrounding her are setting themselves up to get ready for a kill; just in case the ball is throw to their direction."

This is my story, can you see it?

Any general comment or suggestion would be gladly appreciate it. Thanks!

[Hill Country Hack]

I personnaly like the movement of the hitters rushing the net in the shot. I feel the player at the net is not adding to the shot. Maybe a crop or clone her out? Can you include the remainder of the ball?

I feel the shot would have more "umph" if the crowd in the background was not to in focus. I understand how challanging it is shooting in those conditions. I purchased a 50mm f1.8 for my Canon XS for $100 US. This allowed me to shoot faster with the larger apeture, lower my ISO to decrease noise in my images, and defocus the crowd more in the background. One has to move around a bit more with the fixed focal length, but I feel it has improved my composition/perspective skills.

Keep at it.

[19riddler90]

Hey Hill Country Hack,

I appreciate your comment. I might just invest on getting a fixed 50mm lens. Its just so difficult to take low light photography, especially sports. I did want to keep the crowd out of focus, but it was pretty difficult because I couldn't get my f/stop low enough. I can just do that in Photoshop, but I prefer to give that effect during the moment. Thanks the comment and suggestion. Hope to hear and see from you soon!

[Jim Fox]

I get the comment.......showing movement, going for the ball, etc but for me this is really a snap shot. What lens are you using? When I am shooting volleyball try to get no less than 1/400 and preferably 1/500 or greater and shoot at f/2.8 all the time so you can get that crowd blurred out. Right now the crowd and up ref is more distracting cause they are more in focus than the girls running up to their spots, even though I know you were going for movement. The ball is half missing and very blurred so you almost loose it in the bleachers in the background.

Maybe a wider lens so you can get the girls in there? Plus lower to the ground getting more of the court in there as well? What about shooting from the other side? So you can get the team watching with anticipation as well? In most our games here, shooting from the opposite side would also do away with the crowd as most games the fans are on one side.

That's my 2 cents. Keep shooting! Volleyball is a fun sport to shoot........tough, but fun.

[19riddler90]

Hey Jim Fox,

I was shooting with a Tamron 28 - 200mm lens. I want to upgrade, but I'm broke. I want to do some freelancing, to earn some money to upgrade, but it's kinda nerve racking because I am not properly equipped. LOL is there anyone out there that have a lens capable with a canon eos rebel xti? LOL Just curious, but anyways I want to be the best, so I will listen to those that already are. Thanks for the comments and suggestions! I hope to hear from you soon!