As opposed to the last game there, today there was a lot more people, it was a double game day with the women’s first and man’s game right after. There would be TV coverage of the second game, and all sorts of people were going back and forth all over the place, not necessarily chaotic but definitely busy.
I had a pass to shoot the first game only, it takes about 3 hours to do it, and that’s long enough for me. I packed up and left with about 5 minutes left on the game clock.
I shot about half the number of pictures compared to the last time and ended up with twice as many acceptable shots. I was very pleased about this. I had a plan based on the experience from the first time. I was going to get closer to the action at a different angle, and using a rented f/2.8 lens I was able to use a lower ISO speed with proper shutter speed.
Looking for new angles was an interesting exercise, I even noticed that after I had taken some angles and vacated the spot, some of the other photographers would follow, they would walk over to check it out and shoot some frames from there.
I was also taking into consideration the feedback from 1stString in regards to getting closer. Shooting closer is more challenging but, when you get the shot it looks much better, you are right there in the action, right there like if you were 3 feet form the player's face. I like the result myself we'll see what kind of feedback I get this time.
I felt closer this time, knowing the order in which things happen, the timing of certain things –and wearing my earplugs was particularly appreciated. I managed my time and shooting strategy in a way that I did not feel rushed or out of timing. I felt comfortable and wasn’t nearly as tired at the end of the game as I was the first time.
Here are some selected photos
Stanford fans
Moment of expectation
Watching the score board
No words needed
Head coach and staff
Waiting for the change
Stillness
What to do next time? Well the f/2.8 was a real advantage here but I can't keep renting equipment at this time so this has to stop, I will be using my own lenses from now on. I think I have found the places where I can get my shots complete with the fixed lenses plus the 70-200. I need to keep the ISO to 1600 to retain image quality.
I noticed a problem with the auto exposure metering, and resolved it by going to manual, setting aperture at 2.8, shutter speed at 1/250 and ISO at 1600. This is the correct exposure (at least on my camera) to shot players on the court. The shooter speed, which had me concerned before, is not really a concern, today many shots were taken at 1/250s were just fine, no problems with focus or movement.
Technical notes:
Lens: I used the 24-70mm f/2.8 that I rented, and my own 70-200mm f/4.0. I used them for specific things. 70-200mm to shoot the bench, the coach, the fans, and the players from sides and a few frontal ones covering the middle of the court. 24-70mm was used for wider shots right below the post. Both lenses are very effective tracking, I had no problems following players and getting sharp images.
ISO: 1600
Shooter speed: 1/250 and some at higher speed but underexposed, the camera is fooled by the reflectors on the ceiling and the court appears dark by 1 or 2 stops.
Aperture: Worked with the maximum aperture of both lenses.
Complete Set
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