Help for taking pics tonight.

gottaluvlabs

Hi folks, all knowledgeable and helpful!

I have been asked to take pics of my colleagues playing Tag Rugby this evening at around 8.30 pm.

I have a sony a100 dslr and think I should be using the sport option with iso 125?

Given the evenings we have been having would you need a flash? Have I the wrong iso in mind?

Thanks in advance,

The Amateur.

Dara Robinson

I'm no expert but some stuff I would do and some I would not

If its sports the grounds should be well illuminated, so you should not need a flash. Anyways, when it comes to sports flashes are not recommended as they distract the players.
Set your camera to shutter speed mode, Take some test shots and see how they look. Turn up the ISO and test it again. You should end up with settings that will result in some nice shots and as the camera will be doing the work for you all you will have to worry about is making sure that the shutter speed is quick enough to capture the shots you want but slow enough to let as much light in as possible (given that ur shooting moving targets)
Remember, too slow and it will be blurry, too fast and it will be too dark

Use your ISO setting to compliment the whole thing and allow you to get the right amount of light in and yet get a higher shutter speed to capture the action

Hope this helps.

Btw, you have an Anti-Blur system on your camera, try it out (although I have no idea how good it is)
Maybe bring a tri-pod if you have one, will help keep things steady. It will restrict you some what but at least with some shots you can use it

gottaluvlabs

Thanks a million...

I will go early to test the area, dont know if it will be lit as its only a city tag rugby thing but will soon find out I guess!

Every little bit of help is greatly appreciated!

OctoberFall

The higher the ISO, the faster the shutter speed you can use, but the worse the image quality is. What lens will you be using?

gottaluvlabs

I have 2 lens, 18-70 and 70-300 mm lens'

These are pics from last week taken by colleagues on compacts, with digital zoom etc..

So they want better quality pics

removed pics for anonymity.

Paulw

70-300mm should be fine for the event.

Use either aperture priority, and set the lowest value, or set to shutter priority and use the highest shutter speed you can get away with. You may need to increase the ISO to 400 or 800 to get a good fast shutter speed.

Use AI servo tracking mode, and shoot in short bursts of 2-3 frames.

I've a few more sports tips on my website, if you want a quick look.

mehfesto2

Can't fault any of the advice given so far. You hopefully should have some artificial lighting if it's to be in the evening and I'd avoid the flash myself.

Sounds like you're on your way. All you have to do now is get that winning shot!
Good luck, and let us know how you get on!

gottaluvlabs

Thanks everyone!

Paulw

mehfesto2 wrote: »

You hopefully should have some artificial lighting if it's to be in the evening and I'd avoid the flash myself.

Actually, there's generally no artificial light at tag rugby games. There should still be plenty of natural sunlight though (for rugby), but your only choice may be to bump up your ISO.

You really want shutter speeds faster than 1/400 sec.

Flash is a real non-runner, for so many reasons.

whyulittle

Not sure how long it will be going on for, but if it's on for a while, make sure to keep checking your photos. You may need to up your ISO as it gets darker.

gottaluvlabs

I dont think its on for too long, maybe 40 mins?

slumped

where abouts is this taking place??

gottaluvlabs

slumped wrote: »

where abouts is this taking place??

rather not say... hope you dont mind.

Paulw

tagrugby.ie will have a list of all venues, games, teams, etc. Very popular sport during the summer. Mens, women's and mixed teams too.

AnimalRights

gottaluvlabs wrote: »

rather not say... hope you dont mind.

lol

City-Exile

Advice would be to shoot as much as you can, as early as you can, before the light fades. Bump up the ISO to 800 & don't drop your shutter speed below 1/250

Start with a speed of 1/500 & see how that goes.
Try to get the players running towards you, not across the frame.

If they want a really decent job done, give me a shout.

Paulw

City-Exile wrote: »

If they want a really decent job done, give me a shout.

With or without your fee? LOL.

Plenty of tag rugby on. I might cover a game or two for my company.

gottaluvlabs

Paulw wrote: »

With or without your fee? LOL.

Plenty of tag rugby on. I might cover a game or two for my company.

fee's lol, my husband was thinking along the same lines, what are you getting out of it!, I said nothing only the fact I can manipulate the pics especially of my management! They love a good joke

City-Exile

Paulw wrote: »

With or without your fee? LOL.

No fee to cover the game.
10"x8" prints priced at €22 available to order.

gottaluvlabs

posted a few pics of my efforts, havent time to upload all of them.

OctoberFall

So how was Area 51?

gottaluvlabs

OctoberFall wrote: »

So how was Area 52?

Eerie!

LOL