First Football Posts of the season - Be kind ;)

[Rich_claypole]

After signing up to these forums a few weeks ago, yesterday provided me the opportunity to cover my first pre-season game and test run the 400 2.8 for the first time.

Conditions were not great, from thunderstorms and heavy rain to begin with along with gale force winds before things settled down for the second half.

It's going to take some getting used to the 400, the size of the lens isn't a problem, more getting used to the extra 100mm, having shot with a 300 for the last 3 years you kinda get used to how close the subject is and when you need to switch from portrait to landscapre etc, making this adjustment will take a few games I think, also a little slow yesterday, fist time in several months shooting football so a little rusty. Anyway here are a few shots from the game yesterday to show you what I am capable of. Thoughts and comments welcome.

Whole game was shot in Manual mode, didn't quite hit the correct exposure all the time due to the changing conditions, need to take more notice of the exposure bar, something that will come with time.

Images have been cropped and tweaked slightly in PS. All shot with MKIIn and 400 F2.8.

Header in the pooring rain, not perfectly in focus but can just about get away with it!!
http://www.claypole.org/rfc/_RAC6966


A typical battle between 2 players. Strength and experience wins through this time.
http://www.claypole.org/rfc/_RAC7058.jpg

Another midfield battle, Reading players were 1/2 yard quicker all over the park.
http://www.claypole.org/rfc/_RAC7075.jpg


Slightly late challenge on the N'ampton player.
http://www.claypole.org/rfc/_RAC7259.jpg

Readings manager shouts instructions from the touchline
http://www.claypole.org/rfc/_RAC7112.jpg

Readings new record signing switches play.
http://www.claypole.org/rfc/_RAC7046.jpg

[Spearin]

Nice work Rich :)

Just a suggestion on a personal level (I'm no expert, only been shooting football for less than a week)... I think these could be cropped even further, particularly the action shots. For example with the first one, that other player there is kind of distracting and could easily be cropped out (although a bit of his hand would still be in, but that is less distracting). I think that would just place more emphasis on the action a bit more. I'm all for the use of negative space, but in great action shots like these, the action really needs the emphasis and I'm an advocate for cropping out any unnecessary space.

That tackle shot is my favourite though! Tack sharp, great expressions, and excellent timing.

Nice job!

[KIPAX]

Good work Richard.... So you dont feel 400 is too long for football then?

[Rich_claypole]

Nice work Rich :)

Just a suggestion on a personal level (I'm no expert, only been shooting football for less than a week)... I think these could be cropped even further, particularly the action shots. For example with the first one, that other player there is kind of distracting and could easily be cropped out (although a bit of his hand would still be in, but that is less distracting). I think that would just place more emphasis on the action a bit more. I'm all for the use of negative space, but in great action shots like these, the action really needs the emphasis and I'm an advocate for cropping out any unnecessary space.

That tackle shot is my favourite though! Tack sharp, great expressions, and excellent timing.

Nice job!

The first pic, I almost did crop tighter, but thought the player on the right gave an indication as to how high the players were in the air when challenging for the ball. Yes, for print they would all be cropped tighter. I cropped these with a 3:2 aspect ratio except for the 3rd pic which was cropped at 10:8 aspect as 3:2 cut too much out.

Good work Richard.... So you dont feel 400 is too long for football then?

No the 400 is fine, didn't have use of the 70-200 so was limited when the action was close. My normal position is on the goal line, shooting from the side line was a little tight from time to time, but something I need to adjust to and know when to switch orientation or pick up the 70-200. Needed to shoot from the sidelines as there was a request for some images of the manager.

Next game is Swindon Town on Saturday so hoping for a little less rain so I can maybe strap on the 1.4 and 2x and give them a run out as well.

[LMP]

These are nice Rich, certainly better than my efforts I can say !

I've been thinking and I'm sure I did speak with you now, you were Sat behind the guy from Getty with the umbrella ? If so I was one of the guys you spoke to next to the dugouts before KO with the 300mm..in the black jacket.

[Rich_claypole]

Was sat next to the guy from Getty in the first half, about 10 yards to his left, further down towards the corner flag.

Us togs need to wear name tags!!!

Come on don't be shy, post some of your images from Saturday up.

P.S. Still don't think I have dried out from Sat yet!!!

[Rich_claypole]

RFC have uploaded some of my images to the WEB site, doesn't do them justice at the size and res they put them up at!!

[LMP]

Was sat next to the guy from Getty in the first half, about 10 yards to his left, further down towards the corner flag.

Us togs need to wear name tags!!!

Come on don't be shy, post some of your images from Saturday up.

P.S. Still don't think I have dried out from Sat yet!!!


Added a few here a few mins ago.. http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=195553

[Rich_claypole]

Interesting.......

Just looking at the EXIF on some of your shots and noticed you were shooting F4 at ISO 320 with a shutter speed of around 1/800.

At the same time I was shooting ISO 1000 @ F2.8 with a shutter speed of about 1/500s. (the pic of the 2 players challenging for the header).

Was it brighter down your end of the pitch? Also seemed like a distinct lack of rain down your end or is your time wrong on your camera?

I am guessing the time is out.....just found an image I took at the same time as one of yours and I was shooting ISO 400, F2.8 and 1/1250s.

Thought there was something odd going on there for a minute!!!!

What made you shoot with the 1.4x attached?

[Spencerj]

Some great shots, 4 is my favourite, im a sucker for a crunching tackle!!! :)

[superdiver]

Awesome shots!

[Knightshade]

I won't hash over the cropping remarks since it's already been stated, but I like the header shot..great timing. Not tack on sharp like you mentioned, but still a good shot.

[Travis F]

WOW! Great shots.

I love the fourth one.

Travis