Action shooting..

[ant1]

Alright guys and girls, just a quick question here really.

Am soon to be going down to my local golf club to shoot some photos. It's more for my experience than anything. The group of people I will be shooting with be 1, my father and his friends.

Now, question/s. I have 50mm 1.8, 28mm 2.8 and 55-250mm IS. Which lens would be best suited? I also have an old teleconverter in my bag my dad used to have, so could put that on the 50 to make it 100mm 1.8 (in theory).

Next question, when shooting things like this, would it be better to capture the golfer/s dead? What sort of settings should I be looking at. f/4 1/1000? Iso 200-400? (depending on weather).

Next, handheld, mono-pod or tripod?


Thanks in advance,

Ant

 

[pooley]

What lens you use will be very much down to how close you are allowed to get to the players and how seriously they are taking their game. If its being taken serious, then you'll need to stay a good distance away to keep the noise down, leaving the long end of the zoom the only option for anything other than 'arty' shots.

If you're not already aware, then there's loads of etiquette involved in golf and this extends to the photography, shooting on the backswing is the main, but by no means the only no-no.

If the group are happy to let you close and take extra shots for your benefit then you've got a lot more freedom. In this case, I'd be tempted to use the 50mm for full length shots, using the wide aperture to help get a fast shutter speed, then the zoom to get tighter shots, light permitting.

The settings you can use will be very defendant on the days lighting.

Go hand held, and be very very wary of standing even the slightest bit in front of the golfer. They're amateurs for a good reason!

would it be better to capture the golfer/s dead?

Thats a whole new debate!

There's loads more advice to be had, but hopefully thats enough for starters.

 

[pete.rush]

I've never photographed golfers, so not going to advise you on that, however, check out the link, personally feel its a very comprehensive guide and should help you out with your day

http://blog.photoshelter.com/2009/07/fore-how-to-photograph-golf-li/

As for lenses, probably your 55-250mm would give you the best options, as you don't what to annoy your fellow golfers by getting too close.

Forget about teleconvertors, especially on your prime lenses. Just to beef up your knowledge on TCs, 1.4x TC you lose f-stop of light, example f2.8 becomes f4, also, the autofocus gets seriously hit, 2x TC f2.8 becomes f5.6 and autofocus gets another hit. Canon TCs will only fit on certain L series lenses, third party TCs work with a larger range of lenses, but not all lenses are compatible with a TC.

Forget tripod or monopod handheld

As in the guide link its all about where you stand, how you expose the scene, so getting your settings right and compose the image its important. Also where the sun (light) is to where you taking the shot, but read the guide he explains it better than I could

 

[ant1]

Thank you both for the help you have given me, I will look through the link provided in just a moment.

The golfer/s are my dad and a group of his mates, who I actually work with (all tradesmen) so do know very well. They wont mind me getting that bit closer, that way would be able to use the 50mm I reckon, get that bit closer, and if a shocking day for lighting, that f/stop will help me out.

I will test it out anyway, 55-250 start with as I can stay a bit further away, even though I know them well, may still be off putting if I have a camera in their faces haha.

Thanks for the pointer on Teleconverter, will be sticking that back in dads old camera bag haha.

 

[tezmed]

They wont mind me getting that bit closer

awaits pics with black eyes after golf ball striking.... good luck have fun and post some pics up afterwards...

 

[ant1]

They can be dodgy players when they want to be, haha, so will make sure to stand back at a slight angle, or maybe wear a hard hat? haha.

I remember as a kid I was on a different hole and heard someone shout "fore", next I know its on the top of my head. Came a bit sharp to say the least lmao. Gave me a right big lump.

All depends on the day to be honest, 55-250mm IS may actually be better, will only know when it comes to it haha. Is a month or so away, but wanted to get a couple question out the way.

Thanks very much for the help, much appreciate it.

@pete.rush, I read through the link, very good information. Thanks.

Ant

 

[Steelmagnet]

I've photographed golf a few times, and my best shots have tended to be taken directly behind the golfer, on a long lens, at the point of impact.

With a nice fast shutter you might capture a colourful tee taking off, a ball in mid-flight, and the power of the swing very evident.

Now they golfers won't be using a driver at every hole, only the long ones, but when they do they'll be using high tees. Those are almost always bright pink/purple so they show up well.

Shots from bunkers can work well too, but not if the sand is wet. You can often get a great explosion of sand and the ball flying through it.

It helps to know the course too and where you can safely stand, but above all else, don't disturb their game, or that of other golfers, and be VERY careful.