[Leica] IMG: Basketball game

[tedgrant at shaw.ca (tedgrant at shaw.ca)]

Ric Carter offered:
Subject: [Leica] IMG: Basketball game


> Went to a college game today:
>
> <http://cartersxrd.net/Site/First_Draft/Entries/2011/2/19_Tar_Heel_Basketball.html>
> http://tinyurl.com/4ngmbpj<<<<

Hi Ric,
Interesting series on an overall shoot. Lots of good bits and pieces. But 
lacking in high jump to basket images. Maybe this will help. :-)

Next game go early and get a spot sitting on the floor (make it look like 
you are supposed to be there!) By the same token be prepared for a couple of 
things. You should be slightly back from the court floor marking and right 
inline with the basket.
1/
Being told to get a seat some place else. But try to convince the official 
you have covered lots of games from this position , "even a few NBA" games. 
And smile. Keep it light and if he insists? Live with it, and move .... 
"back " But do try to stay  inline with the basket.

2/
If you can stay...... "BE PREPARED TO BE RUN OVER BY A PLAYER OR TWO!" Ouch! 
It can hurt.   But always smile!   :-) Toughest hits are those you don't see 
coming! If this should happen the chances are you will be told to move! 
Again smile, move back from floor markings, but not far enough that people 
can walk in front of you.

Obviously chose the end of the team that "your team is playing against." You 
want "YOUR TEAM" doing the high jumps to basket and looking like they are 
scoring all the points. Then at half-time move to the other end. Again 
always look like you are supposed to sit at that position! Don't move about! 
Just park yer butt and fiddle with cameras in a "preparing to shoot 
fashion!"

However, in the event you have no favourite team, find out which team is the 
most likely to win and sit at the other team's end because you want the most 
opportunities for baskets at your end right in front of you! And not 
watching all the cool stuff happening at the other end. :-(

While in this position don't worry about things at the other end, waste of 
time as they're too far away. You watch for athlete with ball charging into 
toward your end from mid-floor to basket and follow the ball/player to the 
final jump to basket. Usually good opportunities when defenders go up also.

As you know it's faster than a bolt of lightening. If you're using a manual 
focus, you'll find keeping the camera generally focused on the basket will 
get the best hits in focus. Auto-focus? Well it depends on camera and how 
fast it does it's thing, or if you're following somebody keep tapping the 
shutter release lightly and camera will change. Or if you have one of those 
whiz bang follow focus cameras I need not tell you how to use it. Because I 
don't know how. :-)

LENS? From the sitting on floor position usually the 50mm works best. And 
the greatest number of basket shots will be holding camera for vertical 
format shooting.

One of the best things of sitting on the floor or kneeling..... "don't do 
it, your knee caps will never forgive you!" Is the players look like they're 
jumping 5 feet off the floor, more spectacular! :-)

Just a few things from shootig a great number of basketball games. Good 
luck.
cheers,
ted