Thursday, October 16, 2008

Volleyball

Taking pictures in the school gym is giving me fits!!! I can't seem to get any good shots. I suppose if I knew more about my camera that might help. When I turn the flash on, it's too dark. When I turn the flash off, everything's blurry and when I put the camera on sports mode things are good until they start moving and then they're really blurry! All you professional photographers out there, got any advice?? Anyway, these are the pics I got of Matt at this afternoon's game.

This is the best one (even though it's dark) and these are the rest.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Unless you're right next to the action, the flash won't really help. It has a limited range. I don't know what adjustments you can make on your particular camera, but the things that you could try would be to up the ISO setting and the shutter speed. Shutter speed needs to be at least 125 or higher in order to minimize blur. (Unless you want to have blur to emphasis motion ;), then it can be lower!) A higher ISO setting will result in grainier shots, so it can be a trade-off. Grainier or blurry. A tripod is a way to get better shots in low light because you can lower the aperture setting (which will let in more light) without getting the blur that you get from handheld shots. It's hard to hold the camera still enough to avoid blur in low light situations because your camera is trying to slow the shutter speed down to let in more light which means it takes longer to get the shot.
Asleep yet? Basically, if your camera will allow it, raise your shutter speed and ISO setting and open the aperture.

the editor said...

thank you! I will have to read the book before tomorrow's game(gulp)!

Anonymous said...

Blurry and shaggy, he's is still a HANDSOME DEVIL!!!! And the girls know it!!!!!

I was wondering, what language Connie was speaking?????

Peter said...

What type of camera are you using?

I'm no expert, but yeah, what conniegt says.

Also, gyms are hard - it's dark, the subjects are far away, and they're moving fast. I wouldn't expect miracles from a point-and-shoot camera. If you have a DSLR, you might have a better shot at getting a good picture, but a lot will depend on your lens. The pros are spending a LOT on their lenses, so don't feel bad if you're not getting shots that look as good as theirs!

(Another idea: you can ask the school to install brighter lights...)

the editor said...

Peter, I have a Canon Power Shot S3- nothing fancy. Next year, when all 3 of my children are in school full time I think I'd like to take a photography class. I do get some pretty good pictures sometimes in other situations so maybe with some actual knowledge about photography I'd get some more!