My first football assignment tomorrow, slight collywobbles! Advice appreciated.
- Thread starter footman
- Start date
Right here we go 
1. Cant fault this one, got both the players and the ball in shot, nice colours, sharpness etc no added distraction, nice tight crop.
2. Potential for a vertical crop to isolate the two players as there isn't too much to look at in the background.
3. Tighter crop would be better in my opinion, although the keeper is out of his 6yrd box I dont think there is any reason to keep that in the picture. I would take that image in to just left of the player in white while also reducing the image top and bottom so you're focused in on the challenge by the keeper.
4. Not overly keen on this one, although it tells the story well of the no9? at the edge of the box taking a shot, beating the keeper and the defender heading off the line theres just too much space and what you're trying to convey is lost within the frame. I have this trouble when it comes to penalties because I'm usually at the sidelines so i have to focus on the keeper or the striker, never both. I should really get my second camera set up behind the goal with a remote for things like that
5. Again i feel theres a bit too much room in the image. Could crop just over a third of the left hand side out and everything up to the bottom of the net (any reason why you were so far away there?) As with 4 a 'through the net' shot may work better but it depends on how long you want to be hanging about there!
Overall a good effort though, managed to capture some key moments in the match (was there any goals? did you miss them!)
With sports photography I find that the more you shoot, the more aware you become of things that are about to happen (in terms of action shots) and so long as your focus system is up to the job the chances are you'll get the shot you're wanting.
I'm guessing that you pretty much get a free run on where you sit / stand at the match to take the photos? As the matches go by you'll probably pick your spot once you've decided where you feel you get the best photos. My personal preference is around the half way line since i can cover both goals (although this will change once the clocks change then I'll have to shift about 10 - 15yrds eitherside to concentrate on the end Brechin are shooting) but sometimes (when i visit Airdrie so far) I am shifted to behind the goal which I'm not overly keen on.
1. Cant fault this one, got both the players and the ball in shot, nice colours, sharpness etc no added distraction, nice tight crop.
2. Potential for a vertical crop to isolate the two players as there isn't too much to look at in the background.
3. Tighter crop would be better in my opinion, although the keeper is out of his 6yrd box I dont think there is any reason to keep that in the picture. I would take that image in to just left of the player in white while also reducing the image top and bottom so you're focused in on the challenge by the keeper.
4. Not overly keen on this one, although it tells the story well of the no9? at the edge of the box taking a shot, beating the keeper and the defender heading off the line theres just too much space and what you're trying to convey is lost within the frame. I have this trouble when it comes to penalties because I'm usually at the sidelines so i have to focus on the keeper or the striker, never both. I should really get my second camera set up behind the goal with a remote for things like that
5. Again i feel theres a bit too much room in the image. Could crop just over a third of the left hand side out and everything up to the bottom of the net (any reason why you were so far away there?) As with 4 a 'through the net' shot may work better but it depends on how long you want to be hanging about there!
Overall a good effort though, managed to capture some key moments in the match (was there any goals? did you miss them!
)With sports photography I find that the more you shoot, the more aware you become of things that are about to happen (in terms of action shots) and so long as your focus system is up to the job the chances are you'll get the shot you're wanting.
I'm guessing that you pretty much get a free run on where you sit / stand at the match to take the photos? As the matches go by you'll probably pick your spot once you've decided where you feel you get the best photos. My personal preference is around the half way line since i can cover both goals (although this will change once the clocks change then I'll have to shift about 10 - 15yrds eitherside to concentrate on the end Brechin are shooting) but sometimes (when i visit Airdrie so far) I am shifted to behind the goal which I'm not overly keen on.
Right here we go
1. Cant fault this one, got both the players and the ball in shot, nice colours, sharpness etc no added distraction, nice tight crop.
2. Potential for a vertical crop to isolate the two players as there isn't too much to look at in the background.
3. Tighter crop would be better in my opinion, although the keeper is out of his 6yrd box I dont think there is any reason to keep that in the picture. I would take that image in to just left of the player in white while also reducing the image top and bottom so you're focused in on the challenge by the keeper.
4. Not overly keen on this one, although it tells the story well of the no9? at the edge of the box taking a shot, beating the keeper and the defender heading off the line theres just too much space and what you're trying to convey is lost within the frame. I have this trouble when it comes to penalties because I'm usually at the sidelines so i have to focus on the keeper or the striker, never both. I should really get my second camera set up behind the goal with a remote for things like that
5. Again i feel theres a bit too much room in the image. Could crop just over a third of the left hand side out and everything up to the bottom of the net (any reason why you were so far away there?) As with 4 a 'through the net' shot may work better but it depends on how long you want to be hanging about there!
Overall a good effort though, managed to capture some key moments in the match (was there any goals? did you miss them!
With sports photography I find that the more you shoot, the more aware you become of things that are about to happen (in terms of action shots) and so long as your focus system is up to the job the chances are you'll get the shot you're wanting.
I'm guessing that you pretty much get a free run on where you sit / stand at the match to take the photos? As the matches go by you'll probably pick your spot once you've decided where you feel you get the best photos. My personal preference is around the half way line since i can cover both goals (although this will change once the clocks change then I'll have to shift about 10 - 15yrds eitherside to concentrate on the end Brechin are shooting) but sometimes (when i visit Airdrie so far) I am shifted to behind the goal which I'm not overly keen on.
Derek, thanks so much for taking the time to reply. Honestly appreciate it greatly
Yup as i mention above iam pretty limited due to my equipment
so have to crop all the photos as it is! There is a barrier right round the pitch, so iam probably about a good 5meters from the side line, which doesnt help. I might be able to just shoot from the side line next time.Funny you should mention penalties, there was one on Saturday and liek you I was stuck in two minds what to do, and kinda mucked things up
The home team won 10-0, they are top of the league. Good team, they did play the bottom team. I was hoping for loads of celebrations but there wasnt many
Yeah I got a couple of the goals, again struggle where/what I should get in frame-as you say I want the scorer in frame aswell as the ball near or crossing the goal line.Iam managing all the photos on the teams webiste aswell, so once ive learnt moonfruit will post you the album link...well they are on my facebook-hope this is allowed(please remove if needs be mods)
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.485784341455366.116456.419148838118917&type=3
Thanks again Derek, jsut the feedback I was after
This is a better album Derek,
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.472404022782024.99795.184121251610304&type=3
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.472404022782024.99795.184121251610304&type=3
Derek did you manage to view my photos?
had a brief look at them when you posted but I've been fairly busy so didn't leave any comments. There was a couple of sequenced shots 25 + 26 are good because they show the shot and the ball passing the keeper for the goal but shots 8 + 9 in the sequence is erm pointless, a guy heading the ball over two frames isn't necessary for the story of the game. By and large I generally aim for 25 shots over a match some games I get a couple more, others a couple less although last weekend Brechin won 7 - 2 so I bumped the shots up to 40 including a couple of pre match photos that i had to take anyway.
When i was looking through your shots I did see a few which were just slightly softer than the 'best' ones. I realise a combination of camera / lens / on coming dark seasons dont mix well when trying to freeze the action but sometimes you have to be ruthless and think if its not 100 percent sharp and contain all the elements (players / ball / celebration / incident) do i want to post it. Personally I'd ditch them unless its something really special e.g from one of my shots
http://brechincity.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=6795
This was an overhead kick by at that time on loan Killie striker Rory McKenzie. The focus is on the spectators behind (yes there are a few) but it was such a special goal I opted to include it although I'm not happy with the shop because of the missed focus. If it was a standard bit of play I'd have just deleted it.
When i was looking through your shots I did see a few which were just slightly softer than the 'best' ones. I realise a combination of camera / lens / on coming dark seasons dont mix well when trying to freeze the action but sometimes you have to be ruthless and think if its not 100 percent sharp and contain all the elements (players / ball / celebration / incident) do i want to post it. Personally I'd ditch them unless its something really special e.g from one of my shots
http://brechincity.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=6795
This was an overhead kick by at that time on loan Killie striker Rory McKenzie. The focus is on the spectators behind (yes there are a few
) but it was such a special goal I opted to include it although I'm not happy with the shop because of the missed focus. If it was a standard bit of play I'd have just deleted it.
Soldato
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Derek, have you used either the 300mm 2.8 IS I or II, or the 400mm F2.8 version?
I haven't used either
My budget doesn't stretch that far but would like to at least try the 400 f2.8. By and large though I manage alright with 70 - 200 f2.8. I find it would probably be easier to get the shots you want with a zoom rather than a prime especially at the 400 mm range.
Soldato
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I really want to get a nice tele prime next year, but for now I am going to try the 70-200mm with a 1.4x III tc for now. Want to ramp up from just being a hobby to take more sports pictures, even of local teams for now. (I photograph a lot of my g/f's running club, and often get asked if I can take pics of other events)
I had the 100-400mm briefly but did not like it too much, because of the trombone style and being spoilt using the 70-200mm ii makes it look soft. The IQ on the new 300/400 is just beautiful looking at samples over the web. 300 is too close to 70-200, and the 400 would be awesome as a 800/f5.6, or 560/f4
Second hand market seems almost non existent for the new super primes in UK, as I wanted to figure out what the depreciation would be on such lens if bought new. There is 1 guy I found by chance who may sell his, but its not much different vs street price.
I had the 100-400mm briefly but did not like it too much, because of the trombone style and being spoilt using the 70-200mm ii makes it look soft. The IQ on the new 300/400 is just beautiful looking at samples over the web. 300 is too close to 70-200, and the 400 would be awesome as a 800/f5.6, or 560/f4
Second hand market seems almost non existent for the new super primes in UK, as I wanted to figure out what the depreciation would be on such lens if bought new. There is 1 guy I found by chance who may sell his, but its not much different vs street price.
Haha, everyone in the last photo has their eyes shut
Yeah I know! Haha! Love the expressions you get
Some good shots there. Really liking the celebration shot. Great expression and looking directly at the camera. This weekend I'm down in paisley for the cup tie against st mirren and I'm going to risk sitting at the end of the pitch rather than the side. Possibly not the best move against a team two divisions above you but hopefully have some opportunity to seer a goal from the right side! We've scored 24 goals and conceded 7 since ray McKinnon took over so hoping for an upset.
Soldato
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Am doing for a bit of experience Hanwell Town tomorrow which will be my first footie experience. If all goes well the editor wants me to do league or maybe premiership games based on my equipment.
Will be taking 1dx + 400f2.8, 7d + 70-200f2.8 ii and 5dmkiii + 16-35 tho may put the 70-200 on the 5d
Will be taking 1dx + 400f2.8, 7d + 70-200f2.8 ii and 5dmkiii + 16-35 tho may put the 70-200 on the 5d
first of all ****************
I would only put the 16 - 35 on the 5d if you've got that shooting via remote behind a goalmouth. You'll do fine sitting at one end of the pitch at the edge of the penalty box pointing your 400 at the opposite end and using your 70 - 200 to cover the near box action. Thats what I'd do if i had that lot anyway
Soldato
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Haha its like a game were attendance will be less than 100!
Sounds sensible will try it...guy is a friend of a friend so will be cool to do some proper leagues but he wants me to slog it out in lower leagues and rugby first
I come up to Scotland a few times as I am from Falkirk...maybe if times work I can shoot a Brechin game and you can borrow the 400 for a half
Sounds sensible will try it...guy is a friend of a friend so will be cool to do some proper leagues but he wants me to slog it out in lower leagues and rugby first
I come up to Scotland a few times as I am from Falkirk...maybe if times work I can shoot a Brechin game and you can borrow the 400 for a half
Haha its like a game were attendance will be less than 100!
Sounds sensible will try it...guy is a friend of a friend so will be cool to do some proper leagues but he wants me to slog it out in lower leagues and rugby first
I come up to Scotland a few times as I am from Falkirk...maybe if times work I can shoot a Brechin game and you can borrow the 400 for a half :p
I'll hold you to that!