How Would You Shoot This? Episode 2: Keeper Rate
In episode one, I laid out my plan for shooting a middle school volleyball game. This episode shows what actually happened. Some shots worked. A lot didn't. And I'm sharing the real numbers behind that, because I think the numbers say something worth hearing.
The Misses
Volleyball humbles you. Players get in the way of the player you're trying to capture. The ball gets in the way. Shoot from the court and sometimes everyone is looking up. Autofocus grabs the player behind the one you were aiming for. None of that is a sign you're doing it wrong. It's just what shooting volleyball is like.
Two Spots, Two Looks
I shot from two positions: the floor with a 70-200mm, and the top of the bleachers with a 300mm.
From the floor, a celebration shot after a comeback win. The coach and teammates are in the frame too, which is part of why I like it. It tells a story, not just a moment.
Also from the floor, a set in progress, caught right at peak action.
From the bleachers, the 300mm isolates players in a way the floor can't. The tradeoff is you lose the wider view of the game.
Keeper Rate
Photographers talk about "keeper rate," the percentage of shots you keep versus delete. The assumption behind it is that better gear or more skill should push that number up.
Here's what two matches actually looked like, first cut only.
| Match | Camera | Lens | Position | Shots | Kept | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | D5 | 70-200 + 300mm | Floor + stands | 399 | 92 | 23% |
| 1 | Z9 | 24-120mm | Floor | 359 | 43 | 12% |
| 2 | Z9 | 70-200mm | Floor | 1152 | 178 | 15% |
| 2 | D5 | 300mm | Stands | 314 | 58 | 18% |
Same photographer, two matches, and the rate still swings from 12 percent to 23 percent based on lens and position alone. About 80 percent of everything I shot didn't survive the first cut, across every combination. If keeper rate really tracked gear or skill, you wouldn't see that kind of swing from one person in one weekend.
Both cameras are excellent. I'll get into D5 versus Z9 another time. Tell me in the comments how your keeper rate compares. No judgment either way. Honestly, my own number doesn't concern me much. What matters is whether I got enough for my clients, and a few shots I actually loved.
Don't Get Discouraged
A volleyball blocking a face, autofocus grabbing the wrong player, a first cut that keeps one in five frames. That's the challenge of shooting volleyball. Maybe part of the fun too. I still get frustrated over missed shots, and I've been doing this a while.
It's tempting to think the answer is better equipment. Gear helps, but even great gear needs you to learn its menu settings so it does what you intend. You might not have the top gear yet. The best camera is the one you have. Learn it. Push it. You'll get better shots, not because your keeper rate climbs, but because you're making images that bring you and others some beauty and joy.
Next episode: final thoughts, what I learned, and what you'd suggest to shoot volleyball better.
What would you do differently?