Amateur Rugby

[Simon Harrison]

I'll start by saying that I have a new found respect for all those that shoot field sports on a regular basis. I had a try at shooting some rugby this afternoon, and boy did I find it difficult. The match was between the club I used to play for while I was at school - Ryton - and a side fairly local to where I now live - Redcar.

I constantly found myself with the wrong focal length - one minute I was too far away, the next the action was right on top of me. I think that might have something to do with where I had positioned myself on the sidelines. I also found the game quite difficult to read - never a problem when I played, but from the sidelines and through the viewfinder of the camera, it was a totally different kettle of fish.

I would appreciate some honest feedback from the more experienced field sport shooters on these please.

#1 Kick off
http://www.srh-motorsport-photography.com/Galleries/forum/Rugby/Rugby---054.jpg

#2 Line out - no surprises that I found these set pieces easier to shoot.
http://www.srh-motorsport-photography.com/Galleries/forum/Rugby/Rugby---005.jpg

#3 Bursting through
http://www.srh-motorsport-photography.com/Galleries/forum/Rugby/Rugby---014.jpg

#4 My Ball
http://www.srh-motorsport-photography.com/Galleries/forum/Rugby/Rugby---063.jpg

#5 A nice hand off
http://www.srh-motorsport-photography.com/Galleries/forum/Rugby/Rugby---068.jpg

#6 Just out of reach
http://www.srh-motorsport-photography.com/Galleries/forum/Rugby/Rugby---042.jpg

#7 Good to see that the 'mullet' is not the sole realm of the footballer!
http://www.srh-motorsport-photography.com/Galleries/forum/Rugby/Rugby---073.jpg

I have to say that I enjoyed myself - it was nice to shoot something other than cars or bikes for a change. That said, I have an awful lot to learn!

Cheers,

Simon.

[sdearth]

Number 6 is excellent. You couldn't have timed it better.

[samsen]

Nice.

[Tall_Paul_2000]

Simon,

I'd be very pleased with these if I were you!

You've caught some good action and exposed well in what looked to be rather tricky lighting. Number 5 is especially good.

To touch on each of the points you mention..........

For focal length, what were you shooting with? I tend to shoot with a 300, sometimes with a 1.4tc on, depending on what the light is doing. I find that a degree of patience is necessary with rugby, sod's law dictates that wherever you sit, they're going to disappear to the opposite part of the pitch!

Positionally, I find that most of my better shots come when I sit just behind the dead ball line, midway between the posts and the touchline. Occasionally I will stand by the 22, which has yielded some good results too. Its down to preference really and the style of pics that you want to take.

I have to confess, there are far more qualified people on here than I with regards to rugby photography - marcatkins, gmen, gsgary, musicmate and incompletepete to name but a few. Have a search through the sports forum for rugby and see what you can pick up.

All that said, you've got some great pics there, so you're definitely on the right track. Keep them coming and lets see how you progress!

Paul

[Simon Harrison]

Simon,

I'd be very pleased with these if I were you!

You've caught some good action and exposed well in what looked to be rather tricky lighting. Number 5 is especially good.

To touch on each of the points you mention..........

For focal length, what were you shooting with? I tend to shoot with a 300, sometimes with a 1.4tc on, depending on what the light is doing. I find that a degree of patience is necessary with rugby, sod's law dictates that wherever you sit, they're going to disappear to the opposite part of the pitch!

Positionally, I find that most of my better shots come when I sit just behind the dead ball line, midway between the posts and the touchline. Occasionally I will stand by the 22, which has yielded some good results too. Its down to preference really and the style of pics that you want to take.

I have to confess, there are far more qualified people on here than I with regards to rugby photography - marcatkins, gmen, gsgary, musicmate and incompletepete to name but a few. Have a search through the sports forum for rugby and see what you can pick up.

All that said, you've got some great pics there, so you're definitely on the right track. Keep them coming and lets see how you progress!

Paul

Thanks Paul.

I was shooting with a 300mm f4 L prime + 1.4 TC for most of the time, and moved in between the two 22 yard lines. I didn't go behind the dead ball line, and am now kicking myself that I didn't. Mind you, given that wherever I went the action went elsewhere, I probably wouldn't have much opportunity to shoot much!

Thanks again for the feedback and encouragement, they are most appreciated.

Cheers,

Simon.

[musicmate]

Hi Simon you have done a good job with these .the advice that Paul (thanks for the plug) has given you for the shooting positions is just about spot on.I know what u mean about where ever you are the game tends be totally the otherside of the pitch rugby photography can mean having to be patient. my only suggestion would be if you are going to be shooting rugby regular, is that its going to be pretty gloomy at times so you will probably need some faster glass.

Steve

[Simon Harrison]

Thanks Steve. Nothing regular lined up (as yet;) ), as I think I need a little more practice before I would be confident to make it so. Appreciate the feedback.

Simon.

Hi Simon you have done a good job with these .the advice that Paul (thanks for the plug) has given you for the shooting positions is just about spot on.I know what u mean about where ever you are the game tends be totally the otherside of the pitch rugby photography can mean having to be patient. my only suggestion would be if you are going to be shooting rugby regular, is that its going to be pretty gloomy at times so you will probably need some faster glass.

Steve