How to Photograph Basketball - BYU Photo

[@fernandosanz445]

I'm a professional sports and athlete photographer from Spain (just 2 years since I turned pro). I have to say this is by far the best video tutorial you can find on-line for basketball photography. It's amazing that this content is out there for free!!!! Thanks a lot for sharing with us, I know that it's a huge task to create this quality content. Looking forward to see more indoor sports tutorials from you guys. Regards from Mallorca!

[@byuphoto]

Thank you so much, and thanks for watching it! Best of luck!

[@alexg0742]

Wow. Great video. Probably the best video on KZbin on basketball. Great audio, great video, great illustrations, b-roll,remote... Well done!

[@byuphoto]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@danielbazan5938]

Super helpful. Thanks for going in-depth and giving away such fantastic and practical knowledge. Truly helps!

[@bwhite661]

just like many other comments, this is by far the best tutorial for basketball photography but also applies to other sports. There's nothing that touches this one. The best part was seeing you in action and on the court so I can get a feel for what it's like to actually be on the court. I shoot our high school team and now realize that I need to not be afraid to get close and personal for some of the non-action shots. Thank you so much! Now on to your editing video...

[@byuphoto]

Thank you so much for the kind words and for watching such a long video! We are so glad it was helpful.

[@grooveecard]

BYU Photo is straight-up gold standard when it comes to sports photo. Super nice folks there, and fun university to visit.

[@byuphoto]

Thanks Tim!

[@Mrbr00ks74]

This is by far the best sports photography instructional video I have ever seen.

[@byuphoto]

Thanks Anthony! We hope it was helpful!

[@pablotaveras6480]

Agree!!!

[@azppmd]

Excellent videography. Excellent dialog. Excellent content. Brilliant video!

[@byuphoto]

Thank you very much!

[@easybreezy5820]

This video is nothing less than amazing! The amount of knowledge you share including immediate proof of what you are talking about, the quality of production and the details in the video. Wow. It's incredible that this type of content is out there FOR FREE. Respect and greetings from Germany where I'll be shooting the German League playoffs tonight! 📸

[@byuphoto]

So happy this video was helpful! Good luck with the German League Playoffs!

[@keithwilliams8173]

I sat and watched this entire video, and all the while thinking just how compelling the tutorial is. Each explanation is with such clarity and balance in terms of emphasis, technique and expression (no sensationalizing or hyperbole). Thank you so much for sharing this with the world. It is truly invaluable!

[@byuphoto]

thank you so much for watching! glad it was helpful.

[@s.j.249]

This is an extremely excellent overview for indoor sports shooting, the variety of subjects to cover and quality of the dialogue and captures is awesome, thank you so much for making this.

[@byuphoto]

S.J. Glad you liked it and that it was helpful! We hope to make more soon!

[@SavageCreates]

This is fantastic! I shot my first NCAA (and ever) Basketball games this season. I came from shooting NASCAR. I wish I would have found this earlier in the season when I was looking for information. This is a Master Class! Thanks.

[@byuphoto]

That would be quite the transition coming from NASCAR to basketball! Glad the video was helpful!

[@jamesodonohue6948]

What a great video! Well done! I'm a regular basketball shooter in Sydney and have been wanting for a while to make a how-to video for Basketball photography, but now I feel like I don't even need to. I'll just show people yours, you nailed every aspect of it!

[@byuphoto]

Haha thanks James. I'm sure there is more to add from your experience! Thanks for talking a look at it tough. Much appreciated.

[@danielbarlow560]

This is absolutely the best and most informative sports video that I've seen. Thanks for doing this.

[@byuphoto]

I appreciate that!

[@dalocalchef]

That was incredible!!! One of the best sport photography instructional I’ve ever seen!! Thank you!!

[@byuphoto]

Thank you so much for watching!

[@guelbergoes]

So much value. This video covers a lot of topics. I am watching it in little pills because theres a lot to absorb here. Thank you guys! Thank you BYU.

[@byuphoto]

Thanks Marcelo! Yeah it is a little bit longer of a video but hopefully it is helpful! I think taking it in smaller consumable portions is a good idea.

[@tribomber17]

Best sports photography how-to video I have ever seen. Thanks -- Aspiring Sports Photographer

[@byuphoto]

Glad you liked it! Best of luck! We will be coming out with other videos for different sports in the coming years. Keep an eye out for those too!

[@denisethacker721]

Thank you so much! Our athletic director at the local high school switched up the seating during the games and now the cheerleaders stand where I used to stand, to the right under the basket. But your video gave me a different way to look at it and get more pics of the coaches/team.

[@byuphoto]

Denise, so happy to hear it was helpful.

[@chrisjmiller6]

Excellent tutorial filled with great tips. You covered all the details. Thinking ahead is truly the key

[@byuphoto]

Thanks Chris! Hope you enjoyed it and that it was helpful!

[@MrWFeather]

Like to honor your work here. The time, patience and planning put into this. I shoot sports as a hobby. This video is stellar, eye opening and vivid.

[@byuphoto]

much appreciated! thanks for watching

[@mikekolleth6168]

Easily the best basketball photography video I’ve watched - and I think I’ve seen them all. We’ll done!

[@byuphoto]

Mike, thanks for the kind words. We hope it was helpful! Where do you shoot basketball?

[@MrSWphoto]

the most helpful video out there for basketball photography, thank you for the calm and comprehensive run through. You're a legend.

[@byuphoto]

haha for sure not a legend, but grateful for the kind words and for your watching the video.

[@MrSWphoto]

@@byuphoto too humble! I'm sure I'll be referring back to your videos in the future!

[@markmcintyre427]

This was an outstanding video. Way to show the life of a basketball photographer. There is nothing like the challenge of college basketball and the pressure to make unique images game after game. Every detail of this process is right on point. I enjoyed every minute as the team photographer for 12 years at NC State and 4 years at Wake Forest.

[@byuphoto]

Thanks Mark! Sounds like you would have some extra insight to add to the video as well with all of your experience! Glad you liked it. Did you know our good photographer friend Ken Bennett at Wake Forrest before he retired?

[@markmcintyre427]

@@byuphoto Nate I am sure we ran into each other. I photographed Wake Forest during the Tim Duncan years and then moved on to NC State. Those early years were all on strobes which was a different beast altogether.

[@byuphoto]

@@markmcintyre427 I have only been here at BYU for just over 6 years, but I am sure you would have ran into either Mark Philbrick or Jaren Wilkey over the years sometime. Mark has since retired and Jaren is running the show over here now.

[@ScottBrown82]

I agree with all the comments. This is the best KZbin video on shooting basketball. Game day action is awesome showing all the various technics etc. Especially the final product with the various variety of shots. Nice work.

[@byuphoto]

Thanks Scott! Glad you liked it and hope it was helpful! More to come hopefully soon!

[@birdsofray]

Excellent video and welcome to the Big 12! K-State photographer here!

[@byuphoto]

Thanks Ray, looking forward to visiting you soon.

[@grocharon7000]

That was easily the best YT tutorial on Basketball photography. Super informative and comprehensive! A question I had though was with regards to file sizes.. Do you shoot full size raw, JPG or a combination? Would shooting in JPG compromise your post edits if the images were used purely for socials?

[@byuphoto]

Gro, great questions! Thanks for asking, and glad you enjoyed the video! We shoot C-RAW+JPG (we noticed there is not any noticeable difference with compressed and full RAW images, so we switched to save space on our server). The JPG is sent via wifi to our website during game and we use the RAWs to make full edits after. If it is just being used for social posts, the JPG is fine, but for me personally when I am making edits, I would much rather play in a sandbox (or pixel box) that is 4 feet deep rather than 4 inches deep. That is why I always edit the RAW. I am also thinking long term archive purposes. I would rather keep the negative over the print. But honestly, it is all relative to what the job requires. We just need to make informed decisions on what would be best for our individual circumstances with also thinking of the future. I hope that helps.

[@bradweekley2425]

Hands down the best KZbin video on shooting and editing basketball! I've been wait for a high quality video such as and searching and searching. Finally you've done it! Thank you for doing this!!! One question, when you get all your settings on the camera locked in, do you change these settings at all to shot fans, or the team during time outs? Like lower the shutter speed and ISO. If so, how do you set that up on the Canon for a quick change?

[@byuphoto]

Oh man that is so kind of you! And yes I drop my shutter speed a stop or so when I shoot the crowd. Great question.

[@johncalhoun4806]

Incredible video! Goes nicely with the 'How to Photograph Football' videos. Very comprehensive...especially the storytelling approach and strategies. Thanks so much for sharing these techniques, especially in such a professional manner! Kudos to all involved with this video!

[@byuphoto]

Glad you liked it!

[@papasolo4788]

This was a great video. I believe it will help me take better photos. I will try to keep in touch with your videos to help me improve.

[@byuphoto]

Glad this was helpful. Best of luck!

[@scottabbottphoto]

Thank you! This is a great tutorial. Really covers everything with plenty of detail.

[@byuphoto]

Glad you enjoyed it Scott. Hopefully there was something helpful in there!

[@scottabbottphoto]

@@byuphoto One question just came to mind. Is there a technical reason for using the Sony A9 behind the backboard or on the floor?

[@byuphoto]

@@scottabbottphoto Great question. The main reasons I have used the a9 are: that is just the extra camera we had at the time and it can fit in smaller places that a full pro body can't fit. I could use the R5 but it is not really a sports shooting camera. That being said, I haven't tried using the R5 as a remote yet for shooting sports, but I for sure do not like using the R5 for regular game action. The focus isn't fast enough.

[@JacquiSmithWatson]

I must say that I learned a lot from your video, even though I have taken photos for years. You do a great job!!!

[@byuphoto]

Thanks Jacqui. Glad it was worth watching.

[@alexmartins4013]

Hello. This probably one of the best if not the best video/tutorial about sports photography I have seen. Good job.

[@byuphoto]

Thanks Alex!

[@CDeeez94]

Thank you so much for this! Awesome shots!

[@byuphoto]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@thecat2616]

Great video !!! Thanks 🙏🏼

[@rolandkimble4198]

Really enjoyed the video and I learned alot!

[@byuphoto]

thanks for watching!

[@jaelldiaz0608]

This video was well put together! I especially appreciate your view on capturing emotions and the importance of painting a story. You gained a new subscriber!

[@byuphoto]

Thank you. So glad it was helpful.

[@mvp_kryptonite]

An absolute pleasure of a video and thanks for putting it together. I’ve missed a dunk at my last game (shooting from the stands and as you say, just learn from it). I think this is the most complete KZbin video I have seen and a sport close to my heart. Some top tips too and it’s good to know my shot selection is spot on also. I’m using my R7, do you switch to one shot, slower shutter speeds and iso (say set on a custom mode or button in your R3 body) for the time outs to capture the surrounds and bench, I do and find it works for me. In fact I might store the portrait setting on C3 since I rotate the dial incorrectly sometimes from off fast sports C2. I had the pleasure of using the 28-70/2 with an R5, it’s fantastic, I’d love to have it along with an R3. 1st time watcher and subscribed!

[@byuphoto]

Glad you enjoyed the video! I do not switch to one shot... ever. Just personal preference. When photographing the fans and during a time-out, I will drop my shutter speed down to around 1/800 sometimes because it is a little darker. Thanks for subscribing!

[@SuperR1d3R]

This recommends can be used to all sports and non-sports events. Thank you! I shot paintball games and i'll be use your recommends! Thank you again!

[@byuphoto]

So glad the principles were helpful! Paintball would be fun to photograph.

[@michaelkeropian2954]

Excellent tips.

[@byuphoto]

Thanks Michael!

[@carlosasilvas]

Great vídeo, thanks from Portugal.

[@byuphoto]

Thanks for watching!

[@ourtexasfamilyvideos62]

Just getting started photographing my grand daughter's high school basketball games. I'm not the team photographer so I don't have full access to the players and court. Also I'm limited to one Sony A7iv (10 FPS) camera body and 17-28, 24-105 and 70-180 lenses. Will definitely buy Photo Mechanic. Your video is the BEST I've seen. I only got about 1,000 pointers for better photography.

[@byuphoto]

So happy this was helpful! Good luck with your grand daughter's games!

[@jaybeckerich]

Excellent.

[@byuphoto]

Thanks Jay

[@DONCOOKJRPHOTOGRAPHY]

Thank you Nate

[@byuphoto]

Happy to help! hopefully there was something in there worth watching.

[@bonihersanto7]

super nice tips, thanks

[@byuphoto]

Thanks for watching!

[@braza2013]

Great stuff. Informative and a very pleasant narration. Thank you!

[@byuphoto]

thanks for taking the time to watch!

[@danlabricciosa1185]

WOW, I just stunbled on this video and boy am I glad I did! This was both indepth and succinct! I don't shoot basketbal, but now I wish I did! Still, your valuable insights can be applied to other sports. Subscribed and looking forward to more of your videos!

[@byuphoto]

You never know, maybe you will pick it up in the future!

[@haidermalik2571]

This video is a goldmine of info 🙏

[@byuphoto]

So glad you enjoyed it

[@tcbackup23]

Thank you!

[@byuphoto]

You're welcome!

[@erik5024]

Fantastic tutorial! I'm still a hobbyist and shoot mostly high school sports, and I'm fortunate enough to also have an R3, R6-II, RF glass (24-70 and a 70-200 2.8), so this is super relevant to me. I'm curious that you shoot basketball in landscape, as I almost always shoot in portrait. I see you also don't use lens hoods (except for the remote under the goal)....seems more convenient, but conventional wisdom says I should use them...thoughts? My biggest challenge is that I always stop shooting too soon and miss the celebrations, even though I tell myself to not stop so soon. I just forget until it's too late. Lastly, also wonder if your R3s ever fail to wake up after they go to sleep? Sometimes mine takes up to 10 seconds to wake up, during which time I miss a lot of stuff. I can't find an 'always on' feature for the evf.

[@byuphoto]

That is quite a kit for a hobbyist! Good questions. Lens hoods for me do 2 things: help minimize flare from the sun and help protect my lens from hitting sharp corners or objects. Neither of them is really necessary in this situation. I do use a hood for my remote in this video, but I don't typically. If you do use a lens hood for basketball, I would recommend a rubber one. That way if an athlete runs into you, it wont cut them if they hit your lens. Also I have lost lens hoods in crowds when they storm the court. I typically shoot landscape because i like to include a lot of the environment. If i am just trying to get isolated shots of the players, vertical is a better way to go. The file sizes are large enough here that I will just crop them if necessary. You dont have enough time during a game do decide if you want a dunk vertical or horizontal. You will miss it just thinking about it. There will be sections of the game where i will just shoot vertical, or just shoot horizontal. And i do not have a problem with the R3 going to sleep. You do have a power saving option in your menu where you can set the dimmer, screen power off, auto power off, and viewfinder off times. that may help with your problem. I hope that helps and good luck!

[@p1p1z]

Oh god what a video! Hope you get millions of views. Keep it up!

[@byuphoto]

Haha I hope we get millions of views too. At least in the way that it will help people as they are learning to photograph basketball. Thanks for watching!

[@george_robert_]

Incredible tutorial! Thank you!!

[@byuphoto]

you bet Robert! thanks for watching.

[@wesside370]

Amazing video!!Thanks for sharing all the process!

[@byuphoto]

Thanks for watching!

[@DustinHannigFotografie]

Nice Job. Your doin great ❤

[@byuphoto]

Thanks Dustin!

[@DJCENTIF1]

No superlative can convey how much I appreciate this video. Thank you. One question I have is you mentioned how people sometimes ask you for specific players from the past. What is your process to identify and make finding these photos easy? Thank you again

[@byuphoto]

Ha thanks David! Glad it was appreciated. Our process really depends on how old the photo is. We have a film archive that we can pull from, and that is mainly looking through slides (or having the client come in and look through slides) and negatives during the seasons the specific athlete played. We can check their stats to see what games they played in to narrow down our search. Or if it is in the digital age, we have all of those images on hard drives and on our server. Our graphic design team also does a great job at creating folders of best images of individual athletes. There are also new technologies that use AI to automatically tag your images with the athletes name, etc that is added into the metadata. We tried one out for our PhotoShelter site during the NCAA men's basketball tournament a couple years ago that was pretty impressive. stories.photoshelter.com/march-madness-photoshelter-ai/

[@MM-fh5jf]

Great video!

[@byuphoto]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@Takegion19]

The best video in the world

[@byuphoto]

That is quite the declaration! Glad it was helpful.

[@krisbrantner1630]

Great video! Thanks Edward Norton!

[@byuphoto]

hahaha I definitely laughed when I read this comment. I used to get that all the time.

[@michaelringelstein]

Damn I loved this video ! Thanks !

[@byuphoto]

Thank for watching!

[@briantamagos2306]

This is a masterclass!!!

[@byuphoto]

hopefully it was helpful!

[@videofrombob]

Very cool! Very Professional all the way around.

[@byuphoto]

Thanks Bob! Hopefully it was helpful in some way.

[@mahmoodakbar5930]

Great video sir

[@byuphoto]

Thank you! Hope it was helpful

[@urcheesin]

this is an incredible resource, thank you!

[@byuphoto]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@jaxchambers7652]

Thx

[@NikCan66]

This was superb and informative 👏

[@byuphoto]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Zoran1899]

Thanks for the video!

[@byuphoto]

You bet! Hope it was helpful!

[@D1Zeke]

Love the video. Could you make one on remote camera setups?

[@byuphoto]

Yeah we will for sure work on a remote specific video at some point. Anything specific you are wanting us to cover?

[@D1Zeke]

Thanks! And I’m guessing more on equipment and tools needed for the set up and for attachments to backboard set ups . I shoot canon eos r so not sure if there are particular brands needed for certain cameras or is it pretty much the same setup .

[@jamescacao]

Great stuff. Many thanks for sharing.

[@byuphoto]

Happy to help! Thanks for watching

[@paultrunfull3324]

Nice vid, I think tat a lot of what you said could translate over to other sports. One thing I would possibly mentioned about remote shooting, is check and see if anyone is also using remotes and what channel there on as you don't want to fire there camera and them yours!

[@byuphoto]

Agh! Another one of those great little details that got missed! I will have to include that when we make a video specifically on setting up remotes. Thanks for the feedback!

[@NATUREVIEWSNSOUNDS]

wow! Tremendous! 👍👍 and Sub! thanks for sharing.

[@byuphoto]

glad it was helpful!

[@andrewahearn1206]

Great detailed tutorial! I noticed you are mainly shooting in a landscape orientation. Do you ever shoot portrait to avoid losing the player/ball in the shot? Or is it too hard to switch between as the action is happening?

[@byuphoto]

Andrew thanks for the question. There are for sure times I switch to vertical, but I mostly shoot horizontal. I don't switch during plays because its too hard to react fast enough, so I mostly just make the switch and focus on shooting vertical for a period of time. I do the same with using different lenses. When I am shooting offense, I just choose what lens I am shooting for a period of time instead of trying to switch cameras because they are going up for a layup or shooting a 3. It's just too hard to switch fast enough in the moment.

[@gardiolan]

This video is truly a gem of its kind! 💎 Kudos, and I wish I had view it sooner when I started shooting basketball years ago. Even though I happened to learn a lot of your tips by myself along time, it would have saved me a lot of time 😅 You got a new subscriber 🙌🫶⛹🏼‍♂️🏀

[@byuphoto]

So glad it was helpful and that you also learned a lot of those lessons along the way. We hope to have more videos like this in other sports in the future.

[@radavies]

Fantastic video thank you!

[@byuphoto]

Our pleasure!

[@UrsulaTheeSeawitch]

I've come to this video multiple times. I love it. Do y'all have plans for videos for any other sports like volleyball or football? Thank you!!!

[@byuphoto]

Football will be posted by the end of the month!

[@byuphoto]

we are looking into coming out with a different video for a different sport each year. volleyball will be one of them at some point!

[@jmendezh]

Amazing video!!!!! thanks.

[@christian513cs]

Thanks a lot for this great video!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@byuphoto]

Thanks for watching it Christian! Hope it was helpful.

[@WalkswithMoss]

Thanks for this very informative video. I have been shooting high school basketball ball for a weekly paper for over ten years and I was looking for some fresh ideas. I’ve researched pocket wizards but I am not finding any information about triggering one shutter with another shutter. I only see info about triggering remote flashes. I like the way you synced your shutters. What pocket wizards are you using? Can you tell me more about your settings and what cables you use? Thank you.

[@byuphoto]

We have a how to video on that on our list of videos to film. Hopefully sometime this year we will film it and relese it. in the meantime, I am usually using the Pocket Wizard Plus III. You set the one on your camera hot shoe to Tx to transmit, and the one on your remote camera to Rx to receive. The remote pocket wizard is connected to your camera with this cable: pocketwizard.com/products/cm-n3-acc-remote-acc-cable/

[@travelbug.shutterbug]

So informative, thank you! Do you set your remote camera on manual focus? Are you pressing back button focus when you're holding your camera up for the team huddles?

[@byuphoto]

yes, my remote camera is always manual focus. I typically pre focus for team huddles unless I have a clear view of my viewfinder and can easily focus while shooting.

[@XandeRToXic]

I'd probably turn that blurry dunk image into a 90's disposable camera kind of feel. I think it'd look pretty cool.

[@benjaminamato1282]

Thanks for the great tutorial. Can’t wait to watch some of the others. Question: Are you shooting with electronic shutter?

[@byuphoto]

Glad it was helpful! Yes I use electronic shutter (unless I am using ht e 1DXmkIII). With the R3 it shoots 30fps... that is another reason I have so many images I have to go through after a game! haha

[@braisfragapedreira6279]

I’m gonna shoot my first game on thursday with a prime 90mm and a 35mm, I don’t expect a lot but this helped a lot

[@byuphoto]

nice! how did it go? shooting with a 90mm and 35mm would be fun.

[@JET-Photo]

Definitely learned a lot from this video. But we all aren't blessed with an R3 to shoot with. Maybe a general focus mode discussion is in order. Some cameras that have eye AF aren't as good as the R3 for basketball. I used single spot center as my mode of choise since eye AF was just jumping all over the place.

[@byuphoto]

Thanks for the suggestion. Yes using a spot focus in the center is a great way to start. That would have been a nice addition to the video. That is safe and you can always crop it later to get your composition better. Before I used the R3 I would still move my focus point around depending on which side of the court I was on and where the plays were happening so it forced me to compose my image in the 3rd rather than the center. Hopefully this video will be helpful in the future when most cameras will have a decent eye AF.

[@Zejakov]

Amazing video! I will be shooting basketball tomorrow and this helped a lot. Do you think that its a nice combo to go with 24-105 4F sigma art and 85mm 1.4F sigma art? Or perhaps my old 75 to 300mm 4-5.6F with stabilization will do better? I shoot on R8 so autofocus will do amazing i think. I set up half pressed shutter to eye track while AF on button is one point af which also has eye tracking when i aim at a player in the middle to make sure it locks to him. I am not sure tho if this is good so please give advice if you can!

[@byuphoto]

75-300 will have a better reach, but most arenas are too dark to use a 4-5.6 lens. That is something you have to choose. I would use the 24-105 and the 85 personally, if those were my options. With regards to focusing, I would just try and see what works best for you. What I mentioned in the video has been the best setup for me.

[@Zejakov]

@@byuphoto okay, thanks a lot for the help!

[@katherineschuh4216]

This video is fantastic! Thank you! Do you have a video or a link you recommend that can walk me through remote camera set up with my main camera as the shutter release? As you do in this video. Every where I look it's just remote photography with a remote control trigger, not using my camera shutter simultaneously. Any help is appreciated!

[@byuphoto]

Thanks for watching! I do not know of any good remote specific videos. I would have to look. We will add that to our video list to record at some point. Do you have anything specific you would like addressed in there? or if you have any questions in the meantime, feel free to contact us ([e-mail]) and we would be happy to answer any questions you have.

[@hughbyrne5633]

Wow! So glad I came across this video. Extremely well done from content to production. Very professional. I have a question regarding comfort. I am shooting my first college basketball game next week. Is it normal for the photographers to be sitting or kneeling on the floor? Is a small pad advisable to cushion against the hard floor?

[@byuphoto]

Your first college game? That is exciting! Especially this time of year. It is normal to sit on the floor, but if you want to be comfortable you can use a pad or a really small camp style chair that sits on the floor. You can google what others have been using. There are a lot of options out there. It you are an awkward floor sitter like me, I recommend getting a chair. Good luck! Glad the video was helpful!

[@neilr1176]

Outstanding video! Thank you! Quick question...do you have an extra step in your process that adds keywords, etc., and then loads your images into a photo organizing application so you can locate photos of specific players, games, and/or situations quickly?

[@byuphoto]

Great question. I go over all of that in our workflow video that is linked in this video. The short answer is yes. I add metadata and keywords in PhotoMechanic and we use PhotoShelter Brands for our website that we upload our images to. Feel free to check it out if you would like. byuphotos.photoshelter.com/index

[@theathletesmedia]

Hey Nate. Been following you for a while now and I love your stuff. I have a question about your philosophy when it comes to horizontal to vertical aspects. I was the assistant to the OKC Thunder team photographer for several years until his passing. When I first started I asked him why almost all of his shots were vertical and his response was, "Because it's a vertical game." I didn't inquire any further. I'm curious to know your thoughts. Thanks, take care.

[@byuphoto]

Chad, great question. There are a lot of sports, like basketball, that seem to be more of a vertical sport, for sure. There are different reasons for shooting horizontal for me. One of those reasons are for use. If these images are being used on our website or a game recap, horizontal works better. If it is for social media, a lot of times vertical works better. However, you can crop a vertical out of a horizontal, but its hard to crop a horizontal out of a vertical. We aren't shooting for the cover of Sports Illustrated anymore, and I feel horizontal gives more context to the image, and is more versatile in its use. Hope that answers some of your question. It really depends on who the client is, what their needs are, and where the images will be used. That may vary for each person.

[@ParaisoVenezuela]

GREAT VIDEO. Why do you shoot in RAW + Jpg, is JPG really necessary? Thanks

[@byuphoto]

I shoot jpg only to send to our FTP site during game. Otherwise, I would only need to shoot RAW. RAW files are just too big to send via FTP.

[@urayangky]

When you run to the player after the game, how about your 2 of your camera with tele lens that u didn't attach to your straps? Did you just leave it on the side courts? Or you have another crew to look up your gears?

[@byuphoto]

great question. I tuck it back against the wall or place it behind the hoop so it is out of the way.

[@ZeeTaib]

This video is a blessing! Exactly what I needed! Im shooting indoor HS basketball and I’ve been struggling with learning what mode to pick. I started with manual than I tried AV then I tried TV. Some people say use manual cause you have more control but I always find the gyms so low lit and the iso having to be cranked up and also adjusting shutter to let enough light in but then that causes blur. Then I tried AV so I could focus on the DOF but it making shutter too slow. Then I tried TV because I want to freeze the action but then issue with light. Sorry for rambling lol. Do you recommend always shooting in manual. How can I get my images sharper? I’m using a 24-70 2.8 and I have a 70-200 2.8. Another question what focus area mode should I keep it on 1 pt? Zone af? Large zone Af? Or auto selection. I’m still kind new so I’m learning but I’m finding my images aren’t that sharp

[@byuphoto]

In a controlled environment where your exposure doesn't change, I would always shoot manual. The sharpness of your image is probably affected by the high ISO. Thats just something you have to live with. Sounds like you are using good lenses. What camera body are you using? Also, I like to use 1pt autofocus so I can focus in small windows through the other players in the foreground.

[@ZeeTaib]

Thank you so much! I’m using a canon rebel t8i I know it’s not the fanciest but I’m just starting out I know sometimes it more so about the lenses you have that make the difference. Should I be using the back button focus more you think?

[@ZeeTaib]

@@byuphotooh wow 1 point I dunno if I’m there yet lol I use the 9 points

[@byuphoto]

@@ZeeTaib Yes your lenses will make the biggest difference, but the blurriness could also be the slower/softer focusing of the rebel.

[@paulowonashe5067]

Very Nice vidéo ! Is it possible to take good pictures with the 70-200 f4 ?

[@byuphoto]

Its possible to to take good pictures with any lens ;) but yes you can with a 70-200 f/4, you just have to crank your iso higher

[@paulowonashe5067]

@@byuphoto thank you ! In Low light to ? Because the 2.8 is to expensive 😭

[@byuphoto]

@@paulowonashe5067 if you can save up, it is worth the investment.

[@jarronchilds3256]

Question: Have you noticed any appreciable difference between the 24-70mm f2.8 and the 28-70mm f2 in terms of autofocus and subject tracking?

[@byuphoto]

I haven't really noticed any difference in autofocus or subject tracking. I haven't used the RF 24-70 near as much as the 28-70 though.

[@jarronchilds3256]

Thank you. If the RF28-70 f2 can keep up with autofocus at NCAA level basketball then it can keep up with the basketball I am shooting. Best wishes!@@byuphoto

[@lucianoxavier]

Hello Nate, which brand and model is this double camera strap that you use? Thanks

[@byuphoto]

Black Rapid. They are awesome. www.blackrapid.com/double-breathe/

[@DovidSal]

What would be your advice about taking pictures in a indoors / outdoors basketball court? Lets say that one wants to learn by shooting; It is allowed? What would you recommend? Thank you

[@byuphoto]

not sure I understand your question. If you are wanting to learn by practicing and dont have a team to photograph, i would just go where people are playing and ask if they are ok if you shoot the game to get experience, and then give them the photos as a token of gratitude. Does that answer your question?

[@DovidSal]

@@byuphoto in some how, thank you.

[@steveroberts7620]

Great stuff!! I am curious with a shot count of over 12k, how quick is your work flow. How long does it take to get images to SID's, social, and to your gallery, post game. Also in that process of editing around 1500, are you tagging your images for any outside source like influencer or open door?

[@byuphoto]

Great questions. It probably takes me between 1-2 hours, depending on the game, to cull through the photos and edit my favorites. The nice part of having a wireless workflow (linked in video) and sending photos live to an ftp site during game play is that I am done when the game is over, and I basically just go home. Our social team and SID's have instant access to the images during the game because we upload them as the game is happening. I will sometimes do a really quick edit on the images I send to our ftp site right after the game, which takes me about 5-10 min. Our athletics department currently uses Opendorse to distribute the images to the student athletes, but that is part of their workflow that pulls from our site.

[@jeamotovlog4554]

how to adjust my canon eos 3000d lens 75-300mm for sports

[@bwhite661]

Do you know if I could use a remote setup like you use, for two different camera brands? I have a Pentax K3 III and a Canon R6 M2. Both accept wired remotes but I don't know the remotes are brand specific. Thanks!

[@byuphoto]

pocket wizard remotes are not brand specific but the cables that connect to the cameras are.

[@bwhite661]

@@byuphoto thank you!

[@Darwin12r]

What would be the best setting if I’m doing most of my shooting from the stands (crypto arena to be exact) I’ve been struggling a little with getting a good setting and also working with a 70-200 GM lens

[@byuphoto]

Settings will be different with every arena, but I would recommend a minimum of 1/1000sec

[@MDFariasMusic]

What are you wearing on gameday that helps keep all the cameras attached to you?

[@byuphoto]

It is a Black Rapid strap www.blackrapid.com/double-breathe/

[@sharoolawrence76]

this video has help me more than any other. i am hobby sports photographer. what lense were u using under the basket?

[@byuphoto]

So glad to hear! i was using a 16-35

[@percymoore279]

Awesome video. I have just started using camera raw. Do you have a video on batch editing?

[@byuphoto]

Yep! kzbin.info/www/bejne/e3_YnJ9smrtgp9E

[@thebrowncrew]

Good stuff Nate. Do you guys use strobes?

[@byuphoto]

We currently do not. I know we used them before and the lights are still up there, but ever since we got new and brighter lights years ago, we haven't used them.

[@thebrowncrew]

@@byuphoto Strobes = low ISO + less to edit.

[@fredmccurdy7844]

Do you watermark your photos?

[@byuphoto]

negative.