Soccer from the Weekend - C & C

[chrisvl]

They are a little soft but I love the capture.
1.
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1076/758196803_57fc15572e_o.jpg
2.
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1301/758196203_1dc559c4bd_o.jpg

[Kristian]

I wish the first one was sharp, would be an awesome shot.

[MCTuomey]

I agree - the framing is perfect on #1, Chris. Your timing is great, now's the time to perfect the AF. It looks like the pic is backfocused (behind the 2nd player too), judging from the grass (hard to tell on this monitor). You weren't zooming that 120-300 while clicking away, were you?

[chrisvl]

LMAO. I probably was zooming it. I do it sometimes. Wish this lens had IS but that's not the issue here. Other times I forget to focus my eyes on my center point. Still making that rookie mistake. It's back focused a bit as the green strip of grass is clearer.

But on these the centre point was under the left arm pit of the white shirt on #1 and the player right on #2.
What could I do to improve my technique? I'm trying to be more patient but I'm still loosing great captures like these. Or is that just the way the cookie crumbles?

[bob393]

Yup the first one is great just not sharp.

[MCTuomey]

Don't zoom the 120-300 while you're AF'ing in AI Servo. It'll refocus every time and drive you nuts. Keep up the good work and learn to AF better. Your timing and framing are wonderful.

[chrisvl]

Thanks for the compliments. I'll have to remember not to do that.