My very first try at sports: Hockey

[rparchen]

My father inlaw plays hockey and I thought it would be fun to go along and see if I could get some shots. The lighting of course sucked and I was stuck using my 28-105mm wide open at F/4.5 and ISO 1600, not to mention shooting through dirty glass. I still think the results aren't bad though. Please be easy, this was my first time trying any sort of sports shooting. C&C encouraged!

My father in law:
1.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v67/rparchen/Photography/Hockey/IMG_6304.jpg

2.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v67/rparchen/Photography/Hockey/IMG_6279.jpg


3.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v67/rparchen/Photography/Hockey/IMG_6280.jpg

4.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v67/rparchen/Photography/Hockey/IMG_6242.jpg

Random action shots:
5.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v67/rparchen/Photography/Hockey/IMG_6271.jpg

6.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v67/rparchen/Photography/Hockey/IMG_6307.jpg

7.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v67/rparchen/Photography/Hockey/IMG_6289.jpg

8.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v67/rparchen/Photography/Hockey/IMG_6273.jpg

[dlpasco]

I think these are nice shots. Did the shot go in on #8? ;)

Dan

[rparchen]

Nope, the shot unfortunately didn't go in. And neither did the the one below. This guy was wide open and he still missed, I loved his expression.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v67/rparchen/Photography/Hockey/IMG_6299.jpg

[DavidEB]

nice shots. you did amazingly well for first time, I look back on shots from my first year at hockey photography and shudder.

you might do a little better from the penalty box (your F-i-L's team will probably allow that if you offer photos to them). You'll get better contrast and color saturation. I dunno how fast focus is the 100mm macro you have in your gear list, but it might get you an extra f-stop and allow a faster shutter. you just won't be near the net -- take shots of neutral zone play.

[scott wiggins]

Well on an XT the macro will roughly be a 160mm f2.8 so either shoot from the bench or get closer to the goal and take some glass wipes to clean the glass beforehand.

Good first attempts though.

[Jim7226]

I dunno how fast focus is the 100mm macro you have in your gear list, but it might get you an extra f-stop and allow a faster shutter.

David, my only concern about that lens is it's notoriously slow at AF and to use it for hockey might cause a person to miss the most important action. It's certainly worth a try, but I have my doubts it would serve the hockey shooter with consistently good results. Still, the OP should give it a try...just don't be discouraged if you experience AF challenges.

Rparchen, very nice first attempts! Mine weren't anywhere close to being that presentable.