Digital cameras 101

[Michael Tran]

I just purchased a Panasonic Lumix DMC FZ15, and would like to use it to photograph my kids basketball games which are played in door in a typical high school gym. Could you recomend the settings for this.
Thank you for help.
Michael.

[ShutterbugGail]

Hi Michael,

Welcome to the Q&A Board!

With a 15x lens with image stablization, the FZ15 is an excellent camera for taking photos of your kids basketball games. Use as fast a shutter speed as you can. Fast shutter speeds help "freeze" the action.

Depending on the lighting in the room, and since you probably won't be able to use a flash effectively, you may need to change the ISO setting to 200; use ISO 400 only as a last resort. The trade-off, of course, is that you will have noise in your images, but that's better than blurry, unuseable images. Fortunately, some of the noise can be removed with noise reduction software.

You'll also want to check your white balance settings so your photos don't have a strong color cast. You can do a custom white balance setting, or select one which matches the main source of lighting in the room.

I highly recommend you take some test shots before the action begins to check the results of your setting.

Hope you get some great photos. Here' some additional information that will give you more insights into taking these types of shots.

http://www.digicamhelp.com/how-to-photograph-sports-events/

[Michael Tran]

ShutterbugGail,
Thank you very much for the Information, I'll give it a try.
Regards,
Michael  

[Michael Tran]

ShutterbugGail,
I tried out your suggestions at my son's basketball game this weekend and my shots are just black screen, when I'm shooting with these settings:
Shutter Priority mode, I use the fastest a shutter speed as my camera allowed 1/2000, I try both ISO200 & 400, Digital image stabilizer is turned off since I used the tripod.

What am I doing wrong? Please advise.

Thxs,

Michael T.  

[Mike54]

Hi Michael,

I'm afraid you're taking ShutterbugGail a bit too literally. You'll need to balance the shutter speed setting with the aperture setting. The smaller the aperture number the more light can enter the lens and the faster you can set the shutter. As the aperture number gets higher there's less light allowed requiring a lower shutter speed. In a dimly lighted gym even with the aperture wide open you probably won't have enough light for anything over 1/500s, if anything close to that high.  In addition, if you set the aperture to the lower number you're effectively limiting the depth of field so all in all there are a number of factors to keep in mind.
Since you're using a tripod try using aperture priority (if you can) and setting it to f/5.6 and see what your initial results look like (as well as the cameras choice for shutter speed) and adjust from there. Stick with ISO 400, at least initially, as it will give you little more room to work. If you have a chance practice in the gym ahead of time or under similar lighting conditions. In the end it's very hard to say "use these settings", from gym to gym the lighting can vary greatly so it's really a matter of experimenting and practice.
Whatever you do don't get too frustrated, sometimes it takes a while to get it just right.

[Michael Tran]

Mike54,
I'll give it a try this weekend. I'm really appreciated all the help from this great forum and thank you so much for being patient with me.
Regards,
Michael T.

[ShutterbugGail]

Hi Michael,

Ooops, Mike is right. I never thought you would use a shutter speed that high. That very high shutter speed would work in very bright outside light, but as you discovered, not inside.

Don't forget to take some test shots, and preview them. Previewing images will help you determine if you need to adjust any settings.

I admire your patience in trying to get it right...and we know you will. Let us know how it goes.

[Michael Tran]

Masters Gail & Mike,
Here is a summary of the result over the weekend:
When shooting using aperture mode, ISO400 and set the f-stop at f/4 & f/5.6, the camera automatically assigned a shutter speed at 1/125 (not fast enough IMO) all the pictures came out dark (under exposure) even with flash on. When shooting in Shutter priority mode set shutter speed at 1/200, ISO400, Flash On, same result as above, tried to set shutter speed at 1/250 pictures came out even darker.  When using SPORT MODE, the pictures came out much better, however the camera automatically assigned a shutter speed at 1/125, which isn't fast enough to capture/freeze the action. My wife told me that I should give it up and stick with my old Pentax Optio S4, but I'm not ready to throw in the towel yet.  Do you have other suggestions?
Thxs,
Michael T.

[Deb]

Hi Michael, it sounds to me like your lighting isn't sufficient for the fast shutterspeed you want to freeze the action. That's why at 1/250 your images were darker than at 1/125. If you're too far away from the action (out of range of your flash), your images will be too dark in that setting. Try continuing to increase your ISO until you see if you have enough light. That's the only option left as you've maxed out your aperture.

One thing you might consider, however, is if you can't beat it (the low light problem) then work with it. You've found that 1/125 doesn't quite freeze the action. Try shooting using the blur as a way to enhance the action of the players. Depending on the amount of blur you want, experiment with decreasing shutterspeeds and pan in the direction of the motion. I've seen this used beautifully on children playing at a daycare. The blurred movement was captivating and brought to life the children's play.   I'm sure you've seen examples of this technique ... remember all those National Geographic images of cheetahs chasing prey?

[Michael Tran]

Hi Deb,
Thank you for your advises and I'll surely give it a try, but could you explain more in detail about the Panning technique. Is it meaning that I should be setting my camera in the continuous focus mode then follow the moving subject? Do I need to use a tripod or it is OK just by turning on the image stabilizer?  Please advise.
Once again thank you so much for the help & support from this great forum.
Regards,
Michael T.

[Deb]

Hi Michael, panning is a technique where you follow your moving subject while using a slow shutterspeed. You can use your single focussing mode. Here's what you do:

1. Ideally, prefocus on where you think your subject will end up (given the length of time for your exposure). Otherwise, simply focus on it and follow through with it's movement. Don't stop tracking until after your shutter is released.

2. Either use a tripod or, if your subject's movement is horizontal, stand in one place and rotate your body at the waist while tracking your subject's movement. This will help eliminate up/down movement induced blur.

3. Use your viewfinder rather than your LCD. You can keep your camera steadier this way (if not using a tripod).

4. Recommended shutterspeeds are between 1/8 sec. and 1/125. What you ultimately decide on will be determined by how fast your subject is moving.

I'd recommend practicing a little bit first. Either get someone to volunteer to run back and forth in front of you (enticed, of course, with the promise of a tasty veggie pizza, etc.) or track the neighborhood dog. Once you get the feel for panning, you'll love it.  

[Michael Tran]

Deb,
Thank you for the info., I'll start practicing this technique this weekend.
Regards,
Michael T.

[Deb]

Hi Michael, have fun with it!  

[Grin]

Try setting up your camera as follows...

Full manual mode if you have it..

F 2.8 - more light the better ( or the lowest # you have)
Shutter at 800 - 1200 - freeze the action...
and use a 400 - 800 ISO
Leave the WB on Auto

This will depend on type of lighting and even the contrast of team colours and background colours

Try using a monopod if you can, itll let you turn and follow the action too if you are having blur issues... although setting at 800 - 1200 should not allow blur..

Good luck...

PS dont shoot an entire game without looking at the pics, take the time to adjust as you go... dont be afraid to play... take the same shot 25 times and check each on, youll learn what each setting change does