Hi Mom's - I read all the camera review magazines and websites, but I wanted to see what Moms say that have actually dealt with this. I have a Nikon D60 with a great lens but I'm not happy with the results in the low light and high action sports like gymnastics and indoor cheer leading. Are any of you getting good shots in these type of situations? I'm thinking of replacing my DSLR if I could get better shots. I usually take good shots, but I've never been able to figure out the technical part of photography so I use the auto setting a lot.
Thanks for the tips. I took my camera out of the auto mode and got some pretty good shots. I also got a unipod and a good tripod for Christmas so I'm sure I'll be getting great shots in the future.
You need to adjust your ISO up and use a fast lens that has a low aperture like a 2.4. I have a Canon 7D and a 70-200mm USM IS f2.4 and bump my ISO up and then put it in TV mode (shutter priority) and set my shutter speed fast enough for the action depending on what's going on. Really until you learn how to use the camera the kind won't help you get better shots.
Hi J,
For indoor no flash photography, you will need the highest ISO setting your camera will go to. 1200+
Try setting your camera in AP and set the lens' aperture to it's largest setting, 2.8, 4.0 or what ever it has.
If you find that the shutter is too slow and you are getting camera shake, you may need a tripod.
Your photos may lack gloss to them since you are not able to control the light. Light always makes a beautiful photo.
If you have window light available, try to position yourself so that the window is behind you or to the left or right of the subject. Don't shoot into the window light. You want to use the light to hopefully light the face of your subject.
I love this website. Here are a few good posts on shooting indoor sports that may help you, scroll down a bit:
http://www.digital-photography-school.com/?s=indoor+sport...
I have a Nikon and love it. You have a great lens? What is it? You also probably need to take it off auto. I think to shoot inside action shots you probably need something like the 70-200mm f/2.8. You might try renting another lens to see if that works for you. I dont like a high ISO because it gets a little noisy when you get too high. Lot's of good websites out there on photography and some cheap classes in the Dallas area.
like the others have said, stop shooting on auto, before you invest in a new camera, I shot in auto a lot with my kids and it is always mediocre. Take an after noon to just play with your camera settings, for sports you want fast so adjust your ISO for faster speed and better lighting, after you get that down work with your aperture settings, I've been known to take my instruction book with me and just try everything just to see what it does.
ps Scott Kelby writes great easy to use books on cameras, you might try to pick up one of his books, I think hos third book has a bigger section on sports but double check me on that, but all of them are good.
Good suggestions. I have a Nikon D50 and it does have a setting for fluorescent lighting. However, if you're using it with no flash, you'll have to take it off auto. I doubt it's the camera because that is a good camera. You'll have pretty much the same problem using it on auto in that setting.
