Camera Labs

I was at a local match last night taking photos under floodlights & had a nightmare taking shots. I had the camera set to sports but all the shots came out extremely out of focus. Is there something I should do to compensate for these lights I am still on a learning curve with the d5100 & I had a very frustrating evening

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Special moments may only happen once....So never miss an opportunity!!!!

were they out of focus due to the camera not getting a good focus or was it movement blur?

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Canon EOS 550D (with Magic Lantern)
18mm - 135mm Kit Lens, 50mm f1.8, Sigma 30mm f/1.4 EX DC HSM
430EX II Flash with Phottix Strato Wireless Tigger Set
Manfrotto 190CXPRO3 with 496 Ball Head. Gorilla Pod SLR
Canon Powershot A720IS with CHDK and intervalometer script. Pentax Optio W90

My Blog - http://www.ianganderton.wordpress.com

You'll have to help out by mentioning:

lens used
shutter speeds
iso
focus settings

and preferably posting an example photo or two

Got to say that taking sports photos under spotlights has got to be one of the hardest things to do well.

Fundamental principal is that cameras love light and thats lacking.

Adding movement and distance nakes it a whole lot more difficult!!

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Canon EOS 550D (with Magic Lantern)
18mm - 135mm Kit Lens, 50mm f1.8, Sigma 30mm f/1.4 EX DC HSM
430EX II Flash with Phottix Strato Wireless Tigger Set
Manfrotto 190CXPRO3 with 496 Ball Head. Gorilla Pod SLR
Canon Powershot A720IS with CHDK and intervalometer script. Pentax Optio W90

My Blog - http://www.ianganderton.wordpress.com

dont use sports mode.

make sure you have continous focusing on or for fast action youll be out of focus by the time you hit the button.

couple of shooting modes you can use.

shutter priority and choose a fast shutter speed. youll need a high iso for low light.

or use aperture priority and a wide aperture and high iso so it gives the best possible shutter speed,

make sure your using spot metering aswell

what lens are you using?? can you post some samples with exif info