Tennis Photography

Posted: Sun Jan 16, 2005 10:12 pm

OK here is the questions i have:
i am a complete beginner and purchased a Nikon N65 I bought this in the hopes to take better action pictures of tennis players in my club. Due to the nature of the sport i am unable to use a flash as it can cause a disturbance to the players. I assume i need to use a relatively fast shutter speed to capture the action but i am unsure what speed to set the camera and what speed film o use and i am also unsure how and what apeture settings should be used. i am taking these pictures inside so lighting seems to be the major challenge. PLEASE help me. also what should i do if i am outside in a sunny setting and what do i do in a cloudy setting

Posted: Mon Jan 17, 2005 9:50 am

The fast shutter speed is over rated for much sports photography. In most sports there are periods of rapid movent, slow movement and stopped action.

For example, when a basketball player makes makes a dunk shot he moves rapidly on the way up, rapidly on the way down and he is stock still at the apex. If you time your shot well, you can catch that "stopped" action with a fairly slow shutter speed. This is easier to do with film because there is less shutter lag.

In tennis, the same happens. The ball toss: the ball is still at the apex.

The stroke: the racquet is still at the rear most position.

Etc.

Watch the game closely with attention to the fast, slow and stopped actions. Do this WITHOUT the camera.

After you have memorized the slow and stopped actions, take a try at it with a camera.

It ain't easy. That's why the Sports Illustrated photographers are so well paid.

Keep trying. Learning to shoot tennis is only slightly easier than learning to play tennis.

Good luck.

Packard