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Indoor arena photography - please help!!

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  • #1

    Indoor arena photography - please help!!

    Can anyone give me some tips on taking pictures in an indoor arena?? Everything is too dark or full of "bubbles" (dust??).
    Jigga:
    Why must you chastise my brilliant idea with facts and logic? **picks up toys (and wine) and goes home**
    Tags: None
  • #2
    What camera, settings, lens, flash, etc.....
    How far away are you from the action?
    Do you have a link to your problem pics??

    Sheryl
    www.easternprospects.com not updated Time for a total rehaul
    www.sherylwilkins.zenfolio.com

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    • #3
      Unless you're working with a D-SLR with super fast glass, I doubt you'll have much luck. Even then, external flashes and lights are your best friend. You will likely just have to hang tight until you get back outside, unless you want to spend $3k+ for nice lenses and a lighting setup.

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      • Original Poster
        #4
        Originally posted by wilkins2 View Post
        What camera, settings, lens, flash, etc.....
        How far away are you from the action?
        Do you have a link to your problem pics??

        Sheryl
        It's a basic digital camera. I'm not looking for fancy pictures to print and frame, just simple pictures.

        At first I was using the "Auto" setting, which is supposed to set itself according to conditions. That wasn't so great (the flash was engaged).

        I tried using "Fast shot" setting when I had my horse trotting around and it was still awful.

        I was standing in the middle of a very small indoor and the horse was along the track.

        I don't have any links.
        Jigga:
        Why must you chastise my brilliant idea with facts and logic? **picks up toys (and wine) and goes home**

        Comment

        • #5
          It can't be done, really, not even with a nice SLR, unless you have a big expensive lense. There is not enough light.

          Comment

          • #6
            Well, I know I can get *a* shot or too, sometimes, with my little Nikon coolpix, but for serious arena photography I do have to break out the Big Guns.

            When working with a basic point-and-shoot there are a few things you can do.
            -Make the setting as manual as possible. The more control you have, the better.
            -Don't zoom in. The wider the lens is the more light gets let in, and the better your chances of getting a good shot.
            -See if you can change the ISO settings manually. I used to be able to do this on my Kodak EasyShare. ISO is the sensitivity to light, and many cameras, even small ones, will go up to 1600 or 3200.
            -don't try to use the flash. An automatic camera will change the settings the moment you try, and it will try to expose for the flash. Since you're in a large arena and the subject is relatively far away, the flash isn't going to be doing much good - so leave it off.

            It's difficult, but it can be done.

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            • #7
              All of the pictures on the sales page of our web site (link in sig line) were shot in our indoor. Our indoor does not have lights, yet, but does have sky lights down each side.

              The shots were done on a Fuji Finepix S8000 set on sports mode with the shutter speed manually set to 200 or so and the flash on. I "park" myself where I need to be and the horses come past me. Be patient, it takes LOTS of practice due to the shutter lag. You will have to shoot well "ahead".

              I self gifted myself with a Nikon D40 for Christmas . I have only taken it to the barn once due to this cold weather, but so far am liking it. I got a package from Ritz Camera with a regular and a zoom lens. I "think" it is going to be better than the Fuji but is going to take more learning about all the settings.

              The BEST way to shoot indoors IS in expensive lenses and a good flash, but for now I'll keep practicing with the D40. I got quite a few nice clear shots with it but of course can't remember what setting I had it on .
              Patty
              www.rivervalefarm.com
              Follow us on facebook - https://www.facebook.com/pages/River...ref=ts&fref=ts

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              • #8
                The only tip I can give you about dark exposure is not to mix dark areas of the indoor with a light source that cuts into the shot. The camera seems to pick up on the light and then the darker areas are really dark. Sorry, talking like a real amateur but that's been my experience, avoid the light when it's like a beam in the darkness. I think the camera sets up the shot according to the light exposure leaving the rest pitch black practically.

                Another thing, if there is a light source, put it at your back.

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                • #9
                  I have a Fuji S5000 and I bought an extra lens for it which I have rarely used. It seems that you have to be really far away not to get that circle. Anyway, this is my first good digital camera and I love it. I've taken so many photos since I got it and you are so right, you do have to set up your shot far in advance but your timing has to be perfect or you shoot too soon, or miss the shot. I'd like a quicker response on a camera and big chips, 2 gigs might do because I also like to use it for video clips, for lessons, shows, events. I've got so much to learn about just using this camera but at least I'm finally learning after having it for several years. I love taking photos now that I don't have to deal with the 35mm.



                  Originally posted by NoDQhere View Post
                  All of the pictures on the sales page of our web site (link in sig line) were shot in our indoor. Our indoor does not have lights, yet, but does have sky lights down each side.

                  The shots were done on a Fuji Finepix S8000 set on sports mode with the shutter speed manually set to 200 or so and the flash on. I "park" myself where I need to be and the horses come past me. Be patient, it takes LOTS of practice due to the shutter lag. You will have to shoot well "ahead".

                  I self gifted myself with a Nikon D40 for Christmas . I have only taken it to the barn once due to this cold weather, but so far am liking it. I got a package from Ritz Camera with a regular and a zoom lens. I "think" it is going to be better than the Fuji but is going to take more learning about all the settings.

                  The BEST way to shoot indoors IS in expensive lenses and a good flash, but for now I'll keep practicing with the D40. I got quite a few nice clear shots with it but of course can't remember what setting I had it on .

                  Comment

                  • #10
                    Indoor arenas are often one of the most difficult lighting situations to photograph in. It's simple physics: indoor arenas are dark. Cameras need light to work. If you don't have enough light, you will either get blurry photos or photos with grain the size of golf balls. Some arenas have lots of natural light during some hours of the day. Other arenas are dark regardless of the time of day. The artificial lights installed in most indoor arenas is not sufficient even for professional cameras to get good pictures. Your options are to bring in more light in some way, whether through sunlight (opening doors, cleaning windows and skylights) or through flash or strobes.

                    A suggestion, though: if your camera has video capabilities, try using that instead: When you watch a video shot in low light, your eye will not notice the blur. You will not be able to pull beautiful still pictures off it, because there WILL be blur in each frame, but you'll be able to comfortably watch the moving video.

                    Good luck! I see you are from "up north", so I hope spring comes early for you so you can get outside to take pictures!
                    www.TerriMiller.com
                    Photos & Commissioned Paintings

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                    • #11
                      a home-made tripod (ie; some stuff stacked up to the height you need) and a slightly-slower-than-usual shutter speed. saayy setting the ap. at 40 instead of the auto, which is generally 60. i wouldn't go so far as to use the B setting.. but play with between 40 and 30. of course - that's for still shots; action shots aren't going to work with a slower shutter speed.

                      our indoor is pretty standard in terms of being relatively dim and dusty - some experimentation with placement and aperature (sp?) let me take these pictures of our old man and my lovely momma:

                      http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/b...g?t=1231014404

                      http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/b...g?t=1231014435 (you can see the blurry hand/mane here from the lower aperature which is why action shots are out with this method.)

                      Comment

                      • #12
                        Kashmere, I think you're getting aperture and shutter speed mixed up. They are two different things.

                        I believe you were recommending setting your shutter speed around 1/40 or 1/30 of a second. If you can manually control your aperture, you want it to be as wide open as possible - the smaller the number, the wider the aperture, which allows more light to hit the sensor. If you have a DSLR, fast glass (i.e., lenses that open up to f/2.8 or so...) are very expensive.

                        Comment

                        • #13
                          You can not take picture of moving horses ar 1/30 of a second. You just can't. If the camera has adjustable ISO you need to adjust to the biggest number the camera offers... then you need to adjust your aperture as wide as possible (which is the smallest number the camera has) This will mean that your depth of feild will be small (the area where things will be in focus. Things farther away, or closer will be blurry. Now you need to find out if your camera will allow you to use a fast enough shutter speed. At least 1/250 should give you a clear shot, unless the horse is moving really fast.

                          Your other option, if you have a camera that can do it is to max out the ISO and the aperture and shoot in RAW. Then try to fix it in photoshop... but I'm assuming that you don't have that option since you are asking this question.

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                          • #14
                            http://www.adorama.com/NK2002AFVRU.html
                            www.HistoricHousePreservation.com

                            Comment

                            • #15
                              I agree that video is better. My Panasonic still camera takes decent clips. My Sony Handycam works indoors too. I have not gotten good still pictures there except of a horse standing still or walking.
                              http://TouchstoneAcres.com
                              Touchstone Acres Lipizzans, Standing N. Samira VI (Gray), N. XXIX-18(Black), more in 2014

                              Comment

                              • #16
                                Originally posted by Tha Ridge View Post
                                Kashmere, I think you're getting aperture and shutter speed mixed up. They are two different things.

                                I believe you were recommending setting your shutter speed around 1/40 or 1/30 of a second. If you can manually control your aperture, you want it to be as wide open as possible - the smaller the number, the wider the aperture, which allows more light to hit the sensor. If you have a DSLR, fast glass (i.e., lenses that open up to f/2.8 or so...) are very expensive.
                                well versed in cameras, i am not. the wide-open lense was what i was referring to... which would translate to a slow shutter speed, right?

                                my camera is a giant SLR beast that is about 1000 years old. it's really hit or miss for me.

                                Comment

                                • #17
                                  Hubby (professional) says:

                                  higher ISO
                                  faster shutter speed
                                  on a tri-pod

                                  The more light in the arena the better.

                                  Comment

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