AboutSteve Meltzer Expertise I am a professional photographer and I've been shooting for newspapers, magazines, commercial clients and artists for over 30 years.
I have shot stock photography for dozens of years and in 1977 created West Stock (Seattle, WA) which was one of the first to produce stock photo CDs and later one of the first to establish an online stock photo slaes site.
I have a new book on digital photography "PHOTOGRAPHING ARTS, CRAFTS AND COLLECTIBLES (Lark Books, 2007)which is available at Amazon.com, eBay.com and in bookstores like Barnes & Noble and Borders. I have another book, CAPTURE THE LIGHT which will be puiblished in November, 2008.
I write 20-30 feature articles and columns for regional and national publications a year.
My education includes studying with photographers like Cornell Capa, Duane Michels and Oliver Gagliani (from the Ansel Adams Center.)
Question Mr. Meltzer,
I am going to be photographing boxing and I am wondering if you can give me some advice about getting crisp images of the fight. I will be using a Canon 20D and primarily a Canon 17-85 Image stabilized lens. I cannot use the camera's flash since it distracts the boxers so do you know of a way to keep the images clear in a setting like this with limited light? I also would appreciate any advice you have on the styles of shooting boxing.
Thank you
Answer Ben
First of all with you have ringside seats or will you be many, many rows back.
The 85mm top end of the zoom is a little short if you are in the bleachers.
From ringside you are okay.
Tips: Go into the camera menu and set the ISO to at least 800 ISO or higher.
Set the White balance for the ring lights-usually tungsten (the lightbulb icon)or fluorescent lights (the lit tube icon.
Set the camera exposure metering to the spot reading setting and the auto focus to its narrowest setting.
Before the match try a few frames to see if you are getting clean colors.
I'd use aperture priority exposure (the A setting) and set the aperture to its widest opening or the first f/stop down (f/4?) You don't need great depth of field if you are shooting from a distance.
Because the white of the ring mat can throw off the exposure system resulting in dark pictures. Find the exposure compensation button (marked +/-) press it and set it to +1 or +1.5.
Again before match try a test frame to make sure you have a bright, color correct color and tones.
Shooting the match you should find that you are getting shutter speeds of around 1/125 second or faster. This will help to stop action.
Next follow the action thru the viewfinder and be ready to shoot at the peak of action, the moment a fighter punches. Good boxing photographers can anticipate this moment and get great shots.
