"Here, let me help you up!"

Len, I enjoy your hockey shots. A lot of action and your timing is perfect! Did you shoot series?

The essence of photography and punching is timing.

I'll be posting about 10 of my favourites from this game, edited down from the 360 or so I shot.  Most of the discards were due to focusing issues. (my fault) Still getting used to the new D5100.  Hadn't done any sports with it since I got it.  Stay tuned!  Best, LM.

While I agree that the essence of photography is timing it would seem the essence of hockey is punching.  In truth there were only a couple of fights in this game and I got the feeling they were due to encounters in previous games.  Grudges!  I was there with my son & two grandsons.  Was a fun time.  Having to shoot through plexiglass takes some of the edge off these offerings but I am generally pleased with my keepers.  Best, LM.

I guessed correctly that the ISO was very high (grainy) but you had no other choice if you wanted to use a fast shutter speed and zoom lens.  Nice capture!

Not only a zoom lens but a SLOW zoom lens.  As for the noise (grain), for me,  content always trumps the technical quality issues.  It's a compromise I have to make with a max. aperture of f5.6.  At the $2400 required for the f2.8 version is where I draw the line.  :-(  Thanks for taking the time.  Best, LM.

May I edit and post?

Sure.  Maybe we can all learn something. Best, LM.

Another great action capture, Len. The frozen action is well worth any visible noise! Don't you love these new cameras?

I spray painted the blue into the image to hide grain.

As I've said before, content trumps technical quality in my book.  But if I can have both, why not?  See Kathy's solution above.  Best, LM.

I'm not sure, at these web sizes, that I see a pronounced difference but that could just be an advantage of aging eyes.  Would probably be more visible with the original file.  Just what exactly is 'spray painting'?  I use photoshop but there is more in the unknown category than in the known category, where I am concerned at least.  If it works for me on the original I'll use it.  Thanks for going the extra mile.  Best, LM.

Click the eye dropper tool on the part of the object that you will choose for the paint.  Then place the paint bucket tool on the areas you want to fill in with the color. Keep clicking where you wwant the color.

When I get some time to experiment I'll try that.  Thanks for the tip.  Best, LM.

Beautifully timed action shot.

Thanks for your comment.  Guess they weren't the best of friends. :-)  Best, LM.