Photography

How old is the local team? Kids, teens, adults? Main reason I ask if shutter speed. If it’s small kids you can get a lower ISO at 1/600 of a second. If I am photographing high school or higher end I am up at 1/1600 because they are moving much faster.

The glass really isn’t too bad generally, yes it can be annoying if really dirty. If it’s kept up decent, you can put that lens hood against it and it will look fine.

As for positioning the corners behind the net work well. Gives you a chance to take photos of them coming down the ice at you in a way. Then also can move across to get the net for shots or goals. Of course you can move around throughout the game.

your lightmeter will want to turn the ice into grey (18%)

use exp comp to compensate for that if you're going to be shooting A or S mode.... don't use full auto, your camera does not now ice is whit and it thinks it's grass so it'll try to make it darker

I'd shoot a custom white balance off the ice. Also keep in mind that in hockey the lighting is really strange, it's basically the kids are being lit from above and below by the reflection off the ice. Turn up your contrast either in your camera body or in post

I shot many games at a local AHL affiliate team. I looked through my notes and found this: hockey 1/1000, f/3.2, ISO 2000. This arena was nice as they had installed new LED lights. The entirety of the ice was well lit.

Older arenas with non-LEDS can have crappy lighting, with a step or two difference between center ice and the corners.

Shooting through the glass has its own issues. The glass is DIRTY. Filled with scuffs, scratches, black marks from the hockey puck, etc. Some rinks have holes in the glass for photogs. The arena I went to had one. I was low enough in the hierarchy to never get to use it.

As other poster stated shooting through the glass you will get reflections from what’s behind you.

The arena I went to has two tiers of seating with a walkway between the two circling the ice. I normally shot from there. I was high enough to shoot over the glass and get about half of the width of the rink clear. I did not set custom white balance ahead of time. I knew the color temp of the LEDs and adjusted on the keepers.

My gear: Canon 1D MkIV, 300mm f/2.8.

If there are other photogs there, def ask them about their settings and any tips or advice.

First thing is you have to find out if the arena has holes in the glass for photographers. If not you have to get rid of the lens hood and press the lens against the glass. I have a feeling 150-600 would be too long. Generally 70-200 does better.

Focusing is the hardest part as ice hockey moves super fast. My Nikons has a mode called dynamic focusing or something where it will focus on anything that comes in to that area. Use whatever equivalent of that in canon, shoot burst mode, if you don’t have a huge card shoot jpg. No e-shutter. Keep a high shutter speed. If you have a wide angle lens like 14-24 you can get some cool shots. Also if you are shooting through a hole be very aware as that puck will leave a hole in your head if you get hit. Also people will bump into the glass hard so be aware otherwise you’ll get a knock on your forehead from your camera.

Don’t worry too much about the wb or exposure. Auto modes on your camera will do a pretty good job of figuring that out

I second measuring the white balance from where you are shooting. The glass is a different thickness at the ends than on then sides and the light quality will change a lot - especially over the goalies / ends. If you are shooting through openings, get your camera out and the blank replaced before the puck can either damage your camera or deflect and upset the game. The boards will flex A LOT more than you may expect. It depends on the type of game and size of players, but if your hood or lens is directly against the glass, it will shove your camera into your face. Spend a little time getting a feel for how much the boards flex from where you are shooting and be prepared to pull back a few inches - especially in the corners.