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Larry L. Holmes

Shooting my kids football game

1sti want to thanks you that answer my last question. I am using a Nikon D40 DSLR,this weekend I was shooting my kids 100lbs football game. I left the camera on Auto,The picture was OK but was thinking is there a better way that just the Auto? Some of the pics were shots in shade ans the sun was very bright in the background- of course the backgroud was washed out. any ideals?

camera lens nikon AF- 55-200mm

Thanks in advance

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October 05, 2008

- Carlton Ward

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Hi Larry, I would try shooting at 1/250 or 1/500th of a second shutter speed to get stop action. Then select your DOF (remember the sunny 16 rule - on bright sunny days set to f/16) and set your ISO to a preferable ISO100 on bright sunny days. This will help some with bright & blown out backgrounds. When switching to shooting in the shade you will need to adjust your DOF & ISO to keep your shutter speed fast.
Hope this helps - Carlton

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October 05, 2008

- Carlton Ward

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Larry, I am not sure how much you know about exposure but there are lots of books & classes here at Better Photo to help you get more comfortable shooting in Manual, Av & Tv modes.
In TV mode, you can select your shutter speed and the camera will select the f/stop to obtain proper exposure.
Learning proper exposure is crucial to all aspects of photography.
Good Luck - Carlton

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October 05, 2008

Samuel Smith

i would say your 2nd answer is better carlton.
even if it's sunny larry you might need an iso of 400 to compensate for your lack of lens speed and as you said the shadows?yes carlton,in your post you only left out a starting iso.
is there even an understanding of a slow lens?
not picken,sam

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October 05, 2008

W.

I agree with Carlton's second post, and Sam's, as well. It looks as if Larry still needs to learn about the principles governing the relationship between aperture, shutter speed, and ISO.
For starters.

Read up, Larry!
You've got some catching up to do.
Use this board's search function!
And if I were you I would seriously consider getting – and READING, from cover to cover – 'Photography for Dummies', or a similar book.

(http://www.dummies.com/WileyCDA/DummiesTitle/Photography-For-Dummies-2nd-Edition.productCd-0764541161.html)

Have fun!

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October 05, 2008

- Carlton Ward

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Bryan Peterson & Jim Zuckerman also have books & classes on Exposure that are very easy to understand & learn. I discovered Better Photo by reading Bryan's "Understanding Exposure" book.

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October 05, 2008

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