Capturing The Action: Hockey Photography With The Canon R6

[@dandaninglis]

Awesome photos Derek!! Especially for your first time covering the sport! It can be tough at first because hockey is so fast, you can't get everything if you just follow the puck. I find trying to anticipate where the action is going can help you get some great images. It can be a bit tricky if you don't know the sport too well, but the more you watch it and shoot the easier it becomes. Stuff like a guy is open on the opposite side, he might be setting up for a one timer so it might be better to track him as opposed to the guy with the puck. Best of luck at future games! Really interested to see how you progress!!

[@DLivingston]

Yeah, I def did start playing the anticipated route by watching the open passes and a couple of times, I just followed a guy as he moved around and just waiting for something to happen and that helped a ton! Thanks for watching!

[@greentenrninja6452]

On my second body I love to have a wide angle prime. Comes in clutch when the action is right in front of you on the glass.

[@DLivingston]

I thought the same after thinking back. I’ll probably take the 16mm on the second body. Super small and light setup could be good for the close stuff.

[@3-piece129]

Great photos. Would you say that the camera settings are similar to your typical basketball/volleyball games? Was the ice helpful in lighting up the players a little more?

[@DLivingston]

The light was def better since it bounced off the white ice. Shutter was slightly above 1/1250th most the night and iso was around 1000. So overall better lighting. For autofocus, I bounced from Facial Recognition to Expand AF occasionally. With them wearing black and moving super fast, AF was having a blast.

[@MrIowahawks77]

That’s awesome. The glass is definitely challenging etc. it’s super fun sport to watch. Good video and great photos

[@DLivingston]

Super fun to watch so def was different shooting it. Thanks for watching, I appreciate it!

[@jcollesano]

This is really great man! And... it confirms that i'm not the only one who struggles with hockey and positioning haha! Something I've done recently is try and get to know how the team i'm shooting (or both teams) like to operate and basically figure out where the action is going to take place and focus on a few areas vs trying to follow that tiny black dot all around! Also... DEHAZE is a magic spell for hockey through the glass in post!

[@DLivingston]

Thanks for watching per usual! Yeah, its a struggle for sure and I agree on the DEHAZE. I never use it but it worked great for through the glass.

[@ballerunivers5232]

Man I fkn love your videos

[@DLivingston]

I appreciate it 🤘 thank you

[@denisbellerose273]

Je suis photographe officiel pour les Lions de Trois-Rivières dans la ligue ECHL, la seule équipe canadienne dans cette ligue. Si je peux me permettre un petit conseil pour toi, c'est d'avoir un banc télescopique ajustable c'est l'outil indispensable pour tout photographe de sport ! Tes genoux vont grandement apprécié. J'utilise 2 appareils soit le Canon R5 mk2 et le R5 mk1 car le hockey c'est très rapide alors pas le temps de changer d'objectif pendant un match, je roule 90% du temps avec le R5 mk2 couplé à un objectif RF70-200 F2,8 et 10% avec le R5 de première génération avec un objectif RF24-70 F2,8 surtout pour les images d'ambiance. Le grand avantage du R5 sont ses 45 mégapixel qui permettre une plus grande possibilité pour croper une image. Mais selon moi, le photographe qui sais bien lire et anticiper le jeu obtiendra de meilleures photos. Et je dirais aussi que tu as intérêt à bien programmé tes différents modes autofocus sur tes boutons arrières du boitier pour avoir une grande rapidité d'action. Si jamais tu passe au Canada, fais-moi signe je t'inviterai à un match !

[@DLivingston]

Thank you for the insight and will def be looking to get the bench or seat that will save my knees! Very cool that you found this video and I appreciate all the feedback. If I ever make it that way, I will def reach out! Also, if you have a photography page on FB or Instagram, id love to follow. Thanks!

[@kt6339]

Good stuff! I have shot a lot of hockey, if you used the 70-200 rf v1 did the extended feature bother you against the glass? Been team photog for several ncaa D1 schools over the last decade, that comes with unlimited rink access all 3 periods so location is easier than what you faced. Your comments were good, I use 70-200 rf v2 ( no extend, prior the ef iii with adapter) all game, & have 24-70 and 10-20 (now) with me & USA as needed

[@DLivingston]

I would say, It def would be easier without the extending of the lens with the rf v1 70-200. It's the only time since getting this lens where the extending barrel was a pain. I also didn't have the lens hood on and I bet it would be much better with it on. It would let me know where I had the lens. I found a work around by keeping my hand on the front of the lens to keep an idea of where it was.

[@kt6339]

@ I’d recommend rubber sleave for lens hood, one that aligns to the threads will also give you some protection, court side nba requires them also. The rubber hoods typically collapse for several lengths if that makes sense…. Look forward to more hockey images from you in the future 👍