Baldwinsville Bees defenders Jacob Margrey (79), Tyler Rouse (32) and Carter Twombly (44) stop the Central Square Redhawk at Pelcher-Arcaro Stadium in Baldwinsville, New York on Friday, September 10, 2010. Nikon D700/70-200VR, 1/500s, f/2.8, ISO 720, EV 0, 200mm focal length.
That’s American Football for my international friends. I got the opportunity to photograph my local high school home game last Friday night. That’s right, it was a night game. Something I would not have been able to do in the past. Thanks to the high ISO capabilities of the Nikon D700 digital SLR camera , I could photograph past sunset for the first time and still get well exposed photos of the action. Not having to do any noise reduction in post is a real time saver.
Photo Gallery for the Baldwinsville vs. Central Square High School Football Game
Baldwinsville Bees fullback Jim Lang (29) cuts down field against the Central Square Redhawks. Nikon D700/70-200VR, 1/1000s, f/2.8, ISO 2200, EV 0, 105mm focal length.
While it was not much of a game, I got a feel for photographing on a football field’s sidelines for the first time. Being a rookie, I missed a few shots and need to get in better position for the action. The Nikon 70-200VR f/2.8 lens was a little short when the action occurred on the far side of the field but overall I was impressed with what I did get. The larger sensor of the Nikon D700 still allowed me to crop the photos with printable sized images.
Baldwinsville Bees runningback Ben Paprocki (22) scores one of his four touchdowns against the Central Square Redhawks. Nikon D700/70-200VR, 1/1000s, f/2.8, ISO 1800, EV +0.3, 135mm focal length.
As you can see, I was able to use action stopping shutter speeds as the light faded. Below though is a photo that blew me away. This was late in the game with only high school stadium lighting for illumination. The ISO is 10,000 with little noise because the exposure is correct.
Baldwinsville Bees Tyler Russell (21) taking a kick off up field against the Central Square Redhawks. Nikon D700/70-200VR, 1/400s, f/2.8, ISO 10000, EV +0.3, 200mm focal length.
Views Infinitum 
A great demonstration of both the tempo in American football, and the skills of your Nikon. It is impressing to see such clear photos despite a very high ISO level.
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It impressed me, too. And I am the one pressing the shutter. 🙂
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Those images are impressive Scott.
I know how difficult it is to take pictures when the light is sparse. Your Nikon is doing a good job (in your hands). I know enough about photography to say that.
But I do not know enough about American Football. It is very difficult to watch a game without knowing about the rules. I have tried, because I thought that it would just come to me as the game went on. But it didn’t. I’ll have to watch with friends who know the game.
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Like any sport, it takes time to learn. Watching it with people who know the game will help a lot. It is quite different than your football.
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Wow, Scott! Those are some great results with that camera!
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Thanks, Terry! I’ll be heading out your way next week. How’s the weather?
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While I will never comprehend the fascination of people with this sport, I certainly can appreaciate your photos! The shot at ISO 10,000 IS very impressive! Can you just imagine what capabilities will come in the future??
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Let’s hope it only gets better. I haven’t tried the super high 25,600 ISO setting yet. 😀
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Wowee! I didn’t know ISO’s went that high! And that 2.8 aperture – another characteristic of awesome lenses? I’m happy that all your setting numbers are starting to have meaning for me! Thanks!
By the way, when this page was loading up and I saw the title but not the photos, I was really hoping it wasn’t the title of your next photography assignment! LOL!
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Zoom lenses that are f/2.8 are awesome, heavy and very expensive. Less expensive zoom lenses have variable apertures. Like the 28-300VR lens I have. It goes from f/3.5 at the wide end to f/5.6 at the telephoto end of 300mm. It varies between those numbers depending on the focal length.
I would never do that. Though a general sports photography assignment might be fun someday. 🙂 Next assignment will be announced this coming Wednesday.
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Scott, love the photos, especially the last one. It’s amazing that you had captured that with ISO 10000 and amazing clarity. I don’t know anything about this sport and might not know what to shoot. 🙂
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These are fabulous action shots. With these type of action shots is it important to have the higher ISOs
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I am impressed too by these photos – and by your camera! I hope that I one day can afford a camera, that is able to capture situations in dark conditions. Which Nikon or Canon models around $600-1200 could you recommend?? 😉
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Great shots, I love shooting football. High ISO has been a life saver for me. I was shooting at 3200 ISO this weekend, but used a flash too.
Well done.
Alaska Blog
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Really cool shots and they look great at 10,000 ISO.
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