The mullings of a Football (soccer) shooter

[markgardner]

I've become concious over the last few games that my prefered shooting position, behind the goal the side i'm shooting for, is resulting in the fact that invariably very few players feature in my pics.

In view of this I decided a change of tack was required. Normally i've shot on 300 f2.8 and 5d. Decided to put the 1.4x converter and shoot from around the half way line rather than behind the goal.

Hmm, all in all I wasn't 100% comfortable with the set up, swinging left to right and back and catching the play, I accept this is a 'technique' issue that needs to be worked on.

I'd also added an ambient light meter to my armoury, particularly with a view to nailing some 'into the sun' shots. In the second half I had opportunity to fire straight into the sun whilst positioned on the touchline level with the edge of the 18 yard box that Grays were attacking. I was pretty pleased with the results.

As the game came to an end I moved back around to my favoured 'behind goal' position. I'm really not 100% comfortable with a monopod, particularly with what I think is a relatively short lens when shooting from behind the goal, i find it hinders movement. Decided to try a bit without the monopod. For the short time the action was in 'shot' range there were no issues hand holding it.

I have a 30d body due next week to add to my 5d, 300 2.8 and 70-200 2.8, my thoughts are to, when possible, stick with my behind goal position, use the 300 on the 30d to extend the range to a 480mm with the 1.6 crop, and use the 70-200 on the full framed 5d around the 18 yard box. This will give me greater opportunity to capture 'stock shots' from distance whilst also being able to catch goal mouth action.

Just stuff going through my head, any comments welcome.

Anyway, some of today's pics....





Share the joke?

http://www.koichat.com/GraysAthletic/crawley/MG_CRAWLEY_TOSS(web)A.JPG



Team huddle

http://www.koichat.com/GraysAthletic/crawley/MG_CRAWLEY_HUDDLE(web)A.JPG



Solid defending

http://www.koichat.com/GraysAthletic/crawley/MG_CRAWLEY_BACKS(web)A.JPG




Strike on goal

http://www.koichat.com/GraysAthletic/crawley/MG_CRAWLEY_MK1(web)A.JPG



The winning goal

http://www.koichat.com/GraysAthletic/crawley/MG_CRAWLEY_AMGOAL(web)A.JPG




and the celebration


http://www.koichat.com/GraysAthletic/crawley/MG_CRAWLEY_CELEB(web)A.JPG

[emurph2]

I thought you were discussing US football and was confussed. Then I saw your amazing images. They are fabulous!! Smooth, beautiful bokeh and rich, vibrant colors.

[markgardner]

Erica

Thankyou.

I included the word 'soccer' in the subject title to advise that is was about the 'real' football ;-)

[Croasdail]

I hear ya. A chap I shoot with occasionally just picked up a 600 f4 to get opposing field shots and the stuff he has produced is just amazing. He had been using a 400 2.8 with tc attached - and the 600 is just blowing those images away. I am glad to see the 5d is working for you. I had planned on picking one up to do weddings with, but wasn't sure how workable it would be.... not sure why I thought that since my 10D still gets called into action and has done well still. Any... end of ramble... your shots are superb. Nicely done. Cheers.

[markgardner]

Weddings? I did one of those once as a favour for friends. Everyone enjoyed themselves whilst I stressed as the lab processed the film!!! Never again!!!

I'm pretty pleased with the 5d. I chopped in a 10d for the 5d, wish i'd kept it as it would be a great back up. Didn't need nor want one then as much as I wanted the cash hence sold it.

Thanks for comments.

Mark

[Tandem]

Lovely shots but the last one freaks me out. It looks like 11's head is on backwards.

[Tukhachevskii]

Yep McLean sure has a flexible neck.

[Tandem]

...or they are putting him back together after a vicious high kick sent his head into the stands. :)

[markgardner]

Mclean is ducking his head as all his team mates keeping patting it!!!!

[gmen]

Good work into the sun Mark... looks like you've pretty much nailed those exposures. Nice job and good to see Aaron on target again.

---- Gavin

[markgardner]

Cheers Gav

I was quite pleased with the shots for a first attempt. As mentioned in your other thread i don't think it would be my preferred position however it's nice to know if in a 'no other option' position I could get something. These were shot RAW but only contrast boosted.

I still prefer the light in pic 3 to the into the light pics.

[markgardner]

and yes, good to see Aaron on target, I fear 2 things though:

- a suspension sometime soon due to yellow card totting up

- come January window he'll not be a Grays player!

Mark

[gmen]

- come January window he'll not be a Grays player!Back to the Orient I reckon...they could do with him right now :lol:

---- Gavin

[Croasdail]

Weddings? I did one of those once as a favour for friends. Everyone enjoyed themselves whilst I stressed as the lab processed the film!!! Never again!!!

I'm pretty pleased with the 5d. I chopped in a 10d for the 5d, wish i'd kept it as it would be a great back up. Didn't need nor want one then as much as I wanted the cash hence sold it.

Thanks for comments.

Mark

Weddings, Yeah, Yeah, I know. I swore I would never do them - shows how good my word it. I have been suckered into enough to many of these now with the wrong gear, I figured I finally get the right kit.

[WxGuesser]

Lovely shots but the last one freaks me out. It looks like 11's head is on backwards.

+1 :D