Football under the lights

[dugmar]

I am shooting a highschool football game under the lights tonight for a local newspaper. I will be using a 70-200 f4.0L lens.

Any tips or tricks to shooting under the lights?

Thanks,

Doug

[StevenV]

if you can figure out what works http://dgrin.com/images/smilies/icon10.gif, go manual settings and leave it there. In my "home" stadium for example it's iso1600,f2.8,1/125th all night long. In other stadiums it's a bit darker.

with an f4 it'll be tougher, so go ahead and use a flash (even with a 2.8 and good lights it helps to get some light into the helmets (http://miltonsports.smugmug.com/gallery/888071/1/40220044)). dial it back a bit for closer shots of cheerleaders (http://miltonsports.smugmug.com/gallery/870264/3/39289396) and fans (http://miltonsports.smugmug.com/gallery/817233/3/36441380) in the stands. some people will say "no flashes" but I've never had a high school athlete or coach say a word.

if no flash, get as good as you can without sacraficing too much shutter speed, work in RAW and hope for the best in Post.

get behind the endzone (http://miltonsports.smugmug.com/gallery/902772/2/41289484) when they get inside the 20. different (better?) perspective, different background.

manual white balance at least twice - once for twilight (if there's any left) and again when you're under just the lights.

I don't bother much with plays that end up going to the far sideline, but then again I like close-up shots of a few players (http://miltonsports.smugmug.com/gallery/870264/2/39290125). It's darker the further away the play is anyway.

keep watching after the play, reactions - both players' and fans'

[dugmar]

Awesome info, thanks.

[StevenV]

let us know (and see) how it goes.

for me, no sportsShooting tonight. i'm heading out for a few beers at the pub with my wife and friends. Sláinte!

[dugmar]

Overall, I'm pretty happy with the results!

Thanks for the tips. Gallery here:
http://dugmar.smugmug.com/gallery/947047

Doug

[StevenV]

Ah, the ravages of battle (http://dugmar.smugmug.com/gallery/947047/1/43467335/Large). http://dgrin.com/images/smilies/icon10.gif

Good job, Doug.

[StevenV]

today on SportsShooter.com
Trade Secrets: Friday Night Flash Football (http://www.sportsshooter.com/news_story.html?id=1485)
Scott Varley's prep football photograph is the ninth in a series of SportsShooter.com features called "Trade Secrets."