JV Bball - 1st Attempt

[ARKreations]

This shot is from my first attempt at shooting my cousin's JV basketball game on Saturday (and also my first critique submission). The light quality in the gym was pretty good, just not quite enough of it.

This is one of the better action shots, but it's obvious that the focus is not quite as sharp as I'd like it. Having to shoot ISO 1000 also adds more noise than I'd like.

Post processing consists of cropping, bumping the exposure by 1/3 stop and luminance noise reduction in LR2.

I think the action and framing is decent, but I'm open to feedback on improving. I'm also interested in feedback on how I can improve the clarity and reduce the noise to capture a sharper picture.

EXIF
Camera: Nikon D80
Lens: 24-70 f/2.8
Flash: SB-800, 1/2 Power, Bounced off white ceiling
Focal Length: 66mm
Shutter Speed: 1/250
Aperture: f/2.8
ISO: 1000
Metering: Spot
Focus: Auto, Center Spot
White Balance: Custom

[lputman]

I don't think the flash contributed to this photo, the gym's ceiling is too high if it was your strobe on your camera. It is still a bit dark. You will probably need to bump your ISO more. I found my best results by setting my camera to Av mode and selecting a shutter speed of 500 with my ISO at 1600. I am shooting with an 85mm f/1.8 though so the aperture is anywhere from 1.8~2.2. Take a look at my flickr, I've got a few where I didn't do any post work (the tournament final) and then some where I did push the exposure in post (tournament semi-final).

[ARKreations]

Lori - thanks for the feedback. I am familiar with your bb shots from other threads - very nice work.

It may not seem like it, but there was definitely a flash contribution - I tried some w/o flash and they were needing at least a full stop in post. I'd love to be able to shoot ISO 1600, but unfortunately much over 800 and I really get a lot of noise - I was pushing it at 1000.
I've played with the Noise Ninja trial, but just can't seem to find the right settings to make enough improvement over the LR2 noise reduction to justify the cost. I intend to give Noiseware a look. (But I'd really rather have a D300 )

With my 2.8 lenses, shooting Av mode would not yield a shutter speed any faster than about 1/125 and excessive motion blur. I have a feeling I'm just running into the limitations of the D80.

[lputman]

Thank you Ross. I meant to say shutter priority (Tv mode), not Av. You're right, it would never choose a SS fast enough. Believe me, I know what you mean, I've run into that limitation with the XTi. It does not do well at 1600 in any light when it comes to noise. I do have on my wish list a camera that does perform better with high ISO.

[Jim Bryant]

You did well under the circumstances of high school gym lighting. I posted shooting basketball in the tutorials section at Shooting Basketball. You might want to check this out for some additional pointers.

[ARKreations]

Originally Posted by lputman

Thank you Ross. I meant to say shutter priority (Tv mode), not Av. You're right, it would never choose a SS fast enough. Believe me, I know what you mean, I've run into that limitation with the XTi. It does not do well at 1600 in any light when it comes to noise. I do have on my wish list a camera that does perform better with high ISO.

I had actually started out trying to use a shutter of 1/350 in Tv, but it was just too dark to even see anything on the display.

Originally Posted by Jim Bryant

You did well under the circumstances of high school gym lighting. I posted shooting basketball in the tutorials section at Shooting Basketball. You might want to check this out for some additional pointers.

Thanks Jim, I did see your post and read it several times before going. I've found your posts and comments on sports shooting to be most helpful in getting to where I am at the moment. I had also thought that my experience shooting my daughter's dance competitions in dark auditoriums would help - and it has to a small extent. But live sports is a whole 'nother ball game! It appears that High-ISO is a key factor.

I was really surprised at the quality of the lighting in the gym, but I later found out that the gym was less than 1 yr. old and was very modern with full video support.

[Jim Bryant]

Good for you. Good lighting is the key. Most of the gyms here on the Kitsap have spot lighting that's 20 years old with bulbs to match. Just horrible lighting conditions, but I use ISO 800, 250th at 2.8 on Manual and shoot at 1/16 power or so on my flash. Just enough of flash to add to the existing lighting and not blind them when they go for layups.

[ARKreations]

Are you bouncing the flash upward or forward toward the subject? I thought I had remembered you saying in another post you bounced upward.

[Jim Bryant]

Yes I am. I put one of those little frosted plastic hoods on it. If you don't want to spend $19.00 for the gizmo, you can also use a small whit card attached to the flash by a rubber band.

Originally Posted by krossk

Are you bouncing the flash upward or forward toward the subject? I thought I had remembered you saying in another post you bounced upward.

[ARKreations]

Interesting - I initially tried bouncing upward on low power and didn't notice much difference until I got to 1/2 power. But that was the bare flash w/o the diffuser. I have the dome that came with the flash and that now makes sense in that the diffuser would throw more light forward. I'll certainly be trying that out with the wrestling tournament I'm shooting on Sunday.