Shooting sports photography during a night DVI playoff game



McComb's Jerry Brown, right, carries the ball ahead of the Tiffin Calvert Senecas.

A McComb panthers coach yells to get his players motivated.

  The McComb Panthers and the Tiffin Calvert Senecas battled for the Div. 1 regional final spot on Friday night at Lake High school, in Millbury, Ohio.

   I shot this game for my sports assignment and found just how difficult shooting sports can be. Not only can it can be tricky to get color and everything in your camera right but stopping the motion of a player is important, as well. Sports photography might take some practice but when you know what you're doing you can capture some great moments.

   Some obstacles I had to overcome during this assignment were finding a game on a day that I didn't work, contacting the correct people in order to enter the game and standing in the best place to get the best shot.   

    By entering the game with my Owens ID and Assignment hand out I was able to shoot the game  and not have to pay for a ticket. I contacted the sports director who was there to get permission to enter the field for a short time, and got a few players names and information from fans around me. 

   The next issue dealt with the lighting on the field, I have never shot that much movement at night and I found it difficult to stop the action. ISO and white balance were two things I knew I wanted to set first so I worked with my camera on how to correctly expose and image but still stop the action. A fast shutter speed helps but the best way to stop action and not eat up a lot of light is with a flash. 

   I tried to remember that during sports you want to capture not just the players but the fans and the coaches. There is a lot of emotion and action going on not only on the field, but on the sidelines and in the bleachers.

   In the end McComb out scored the Senecas 42-0, taking the team to 12-0. Beating Tiffin Calvert also moves them ahead to the regional finals this Friday night against Delphos St. John's at Findlay's Donnell stadium.

   I enjoyed shooting sports, and know that it will still take a lot more practice but this was a great learning experience for me. I already know I would like to shoot sports again.





McComb Panther fans wear there favorite players jersey during a semifinal playoff game against Tiffin Calvert.