Shortly after posting this weeks Lesson, I received this question from Brenda. She had several great questions to ask, I wanted to post it here hoping it may help anyone else with the same thoughts.
I just want to thank you for taking the time to teach all of us about photography. I have learned a great deal and it is so much fun! I always look forward to Mondays.
I do have a question for you. When I turn my dial to TV mode I can change the shutter speed, but I think my f/stop is automatic in this mode. I can’t figure out how to change it and I have read the book. Does this happen on some cameras? I have a canon rebel xs.
One more question…I take a lot of sports pictures and the one place I have trouble with is our basketball and volleyball gym. The walls are brown so pictures tend to have a yellow tent. How do I get rid of the yellow tent? I probably need the flash you were talking about in one of your lessons. Also would the 50 mil. lens work in a sporting event..the only thing you can’t zoom. I know I have lots of questions..I’m sorry..but thanks so much for your input!
Brenda
First of all…THANK YOU Brenda. Thank you for your kind words and I’m thrilled that you are benefiting and learning from these lessons!
Now…on to your questions.
When I turn my dial to TV mode I can change the shutter speed, but I think my f/stop is automatic in this mode.
Yes, this is totally possible and I’ll actually be posting a lesson on this soon. If you turn your dial to M or Manual Mode you control both your shutter speed and your aperture to whatever settings you need dependent on your situation and image you’re needing. Your camera should have the option to shoot in Manual Mode. Manual Mode is a great way to have total control of your image to create the exact look you’re wanting to achieve.
While shooting in Tv or Shutter Priority, you set the shutter speed and your camera determines your aperture accordingly.
I take a lot of sports pictures and the one place I have trouble with is our basketball and volleyball gym. The walls are brown so pictures tend to have a yellow tent. How do I get rid of the yellow tent?
Another great question and also another lesson I’ll be addressing. 🙂 What is actually happening here is due to your White Balance. The yellow tint you’re referring to is caused by the warm temperature of the tungsten lighting in the gym. (Notice the same yellow glow given off by the typical household light bulbs).
To correct this in camera, turn your White Balance dial (which is set on auto right now) to the tungsten setting which is probably represented by the light bulb symbol on that particular setting. You’ll need to check your instruction manual for the specifics of your camera but changing this setting should balance out that warm, yellow color to a nicer, cooler, bluer temperature/color.
Also would the 50 mil. lens work in a sporting event..the only thing you can’t zoom.
While the 50mm is a great all purpose lens and is a great faster lens with a lower aperture; therefore letting lots of light in your darker gym, you’re just not going to get those close action shots you’re going for….because it’s only a 50mm. You’ll need a longer focal length lens (to pull them in closer) plus the speed of the lower aperture. A great lens to start out with is the 100mm f/2.8 lens. It sells for around $400. If you’re not able to go that route, you can use flash, but you’ll definitely need to go with an on camera strobe as your pop up is not going to give you the range you’ll be needing to light up those players at that distance.
I hope that helps! Keep ’em coming and I’ll post answers as I can.