Photographing matches

[Andrew Schreiber]

For the Kettering regional I shot with a canon 70-300 mm IS lens at 1/60th shutter speeds. ISO 1600. I had some problems with depth of field and not blur. The trackballs are so big that my camera tended to focus on them and not the robot. It was a little annoying.

I use a canon Xti and it worked fine.

As for a tripod, I wouldn't use it unless you have to because you shake too much. I know I was moving the camera the entire time. A monopod might work better because you won't be locked in a position.

Also, the blur can be a nice thing, follow your subject which will keep them nice and sharp but the background will blur, this conveys motion really well. Also it looks kinda cool. Don't forget that depth of field could be causing blur in your shots as well.

Just my thoughts.