A special ball game

[seanhoxx]

here in the states the month of March is mental health / developmentaly disabled awareness month. The other night was our county training center DD basketball team playing the county all stars, a collection of Attornies, doctors, bank exec's, business owners, coaches, broadcasters, and even a sports photographer. 13th. year of the game, a good time and a good cause.
The training center team plays other special needs teams through out the region.

[seanhoxx]

And here are a few of the 'all stars' looking a bit winded, but good sports for a good cause.

[dr4gon]

Cool. Looks like they should play do it more often!

[Rooz]

sean, have you ever considered using manual focus ?

[sparkie1263]

Nice series. What is the EXIF on the last image?? I would have liked to see the ball in focus too.
Frank

[dbatapbr]

Looks like it was a nice time, enjoyed the photos. I thought they displayed the atmosphere well.

[seanhoxx]

Rooz I just don't know if I could keep up trying to do manual focus, it is one of the MANY areas and aspects I have not tried as of yet. What about MF on a 'target' point and then shoot as object enter the target area? I may give it a go here in the next few days on fixed objects first. O.K. so this may sound pretty simple and I guess i could look it up but with MF do I use spot, center weighted or wide, or is it disabled with MF?

[seanhoxx]

Frank I agree the ball in crisp focus would have really made that last shot POP
the data for it is: Tamron 70-200 @ 180mm 1/250 sec. f/2.8 spot metering,
WB-auto, ISO. 3200, +1.0 EV comp. no flash, SSS on, xfine jpeg.
here are a couple other shots also.

[Rooz]

Rooz I just don't know if I could keep up trying to do manual focus, it is one of the MANY areas and aspects I have not tried as of yet. What about MF on a 'target' point and then shoot as object enter the target area? I may give it a go here in the next few days on fixed objects first. O.K. so this may sound pretty simple and I guess i could look it up but with MF do I use spot, center weighted or wide, or is it disabled with MF?

you dont use any of the focus modes cos they are only compatible with AF. i'm thinking moire about manually prefocussing on a spot they are going to be and then mashing the shutter button to get them in action. that way you dont have to worry about the AF hunting and missing.

your focus seems to be off a little on these, i know it must be hard as hell under those conditions, but maybe give a few other ideas a run and see what you get ? i cant shoot sports for shit though so dont ask me for any detail, just what i've heard other guys say they do. lol

[seanhoxx]

I will play around with MF a bit and adjust and see how that works out. I know skill and technique improves with study and practice, and I need that! I just can't help thinking there is something fairly simple that I need to do or stop doing, or set on the camera that would improve my shots! Spring is upon us here so I hope to get outside and take a different look at things through my viewfinder!