A spot of FA Cup football action...

[gmen]

A wee bit of action from an FA Cup Extra-Preliminary round match on Sunday.

The view from the main (err... only) stand at the Mile End Stadium in the heart of London's East End...

http://www.tgsphoto.co.uk/forum_images/z05.jpg

Pre-match warm-up...

http://www.tgsphoto.co.uk/forum_images/z06.jpg

Some action.... flying thwunkage...

http://www.tgsphoto.co.uk/forum_images/z01.jpg

Finding the gap...

http://www.tgsphoto.co.uk/forum_images/z02.jpg

Goalkeeper hurdling...

http://www.tgsphoto.co.uk/forum_images/z03.jpg

Determined to shield the ball...

http://www.tgsphoto.co.uk/forum_images/z04.jpg

Going close to a potentially controversial goal...

http://www.tgsphoto.co.uk/forum_images/z07.jpg

A spot of leg lunging to finish...

http://www.tgsphoto.co.uk/forum_images/z08.jpg

Thanks for looking!

---- Gavin

[saggy9999]

everytime I think I am getting my stuff looking good up pops Gavin with another series of perfectly exposed and focused crackers

I hope you realise that someday my wife is going to hunt you down for being responsible for my forking out for a 400 2.8

Andrew

[jim9449]

Just your usual brilliance Gavin;)

[madpup]

Super stuff Gavin.

[DwightMcCann]

Every time I think something has happened to Gavin he pops up!

[cpo13]

Great set Gavin - as always. You should see if you can license a couple of these to the FA, as this match is the lead story on their FA Cup page and could do with a couple of pictures to go with it.

http://www.thefa.com/TheFACup/TheFACup/NewsAndFeatures/Postings/2007/08/FACupEP_roundupsun.htm

[khall]

Great set of pictures. Thanks to for posting the ground pictures.
All clean and well focused shot's.
Thanks for posting UK soccer pictures.

[wannabe_at_glamis]

awesome!

[nippon24]

Good as ever Gavin, and good to see you covering the less salubrious stadia of the Metropolis !
Kenny

[DarrenL]

Wicked stuff Gavin,

How was image 2 taken? Is it some form of pole-cam? The angle looks like you are far higher than the players but also right next to them.

Darren

[Zilly]

Thanks for posting UK soccer pictures.

FOOTBALL! not soccor :)

nice shots gavin really show mine up :(

[gmen]

Many thanks for the kind words folks. It was a very competitive game so plenty of opportunities to get some reasonable shots.

Wicked stuff Gavin,

How was image 2 taken? Is it some form of pole-cam? The angle looks like you are far higher than the players but also right next to them.

DarrenCheers Darren... they were shot with a 15mm fisheye held above my head.

---- Gavin

[superdiver]

I am glad soccer season is comeing back cuz now we get to be truly dazzled my Gavin some more!

[gmen]

I am glad soccer season is comeing back cuz now we get to be truly dazzled my Gavin some more!Thanks super! Not sure they're dazzling but appreciate your comments ;)

While on the FA Cup theme, here are a few more from a trip to Bedfordshire on Saturday morning (yep, a bizarre 11.30am kick-off)...

Shoulderage...

http://www.tgsphoto.co.uk/forum_images/o001.jpg

Headage...

http://www.tgsphoto.co.uk/forum_images/o002.jpg

Tackleage...

http://www.tgsphoto.co.uk/forum_images/o003.jpg

Turnage...

http://www.tgsphoto.co.uk/forum_images/o004.jpg

---- Gavin

[Zilly]

liking the use of age highclasssage wordage (H)

wish our matches kicked off at that sort of time would give me some decent light to work with

just out of curiosity how many shots per match do you take

[DwightMcCann]

Loverly! I'm anxious for your 1DMIII review.

[gmen]

liking the use of age highclasssage wordage (H)

wish our matches kicked off at that sort of time would give me some decent light to work with

just out of curiosity how many shots per match do you takeCheers Zilly!

An 11.30am start is indeed a rarity... wish it could be that way throughout the season ;)

If I'm covering the full 90 minutes of a game (and not wiring live pics) I'll generally shoot anywhere between 300 and 600 frames. I try to keep the numbers down though as it makes editing that much easier.

Also, I'm actively trying not to shoot backs and other inconsequential stuff. A lot of those frames will be of various playing and non-playing personnel for stock use... and they may just include 'boring' shots like the below which can have some value when captioned correctly and targeted to the right end-users...

http://www.tgsphoto.co.uk/forum_images/o005.jpg

---- Gavin

[gmen]

Loverly! I'm anxious for your 1DMIII review.No problem Dwight. As soon as I've got it (and given it a workout) I'll post some thoughts.

---- Gavin

[Zilly]

Cheers Zilly!

An 11.30am start is indeed a rarity... wish it could be that way throughout the season ;)

If I'm covering the full 90 minutes of a game (and not wiring live pics) I'll generally shoot anywhere between 300 and 600 frames. I try to keep the numbers down though as it makes editing that much easier.

Also, I'm actively trying not to shoot backs and other inconsequential stuff. A lot of those frames will be of various playing and non-playing personnel for stock use... and they may just include 'boring' shots like the below which can have some value when captioned correctly and targeted to the right end-users...

http://www.tgsphoto.co.uk/forum_images/o005.jpg

---- Gavin

Interesting thanks for the insight Gavin.
Later start arnt a problem its when they start at 8.30 under shocking lighting and your pushing 1600iso before half time thats when it starts to take the piss abit

im assuming that your using something like the 400mm f2.8 ?
Do you use a second lense and body set up or do you just use the one ?

Sorry for all the questions just trying to push my football photography further

[gmen]

Interesting thanks for the insight Gavin.
Later start arnt a problem its when they start at 8.30 under shocking lighting and your pushing 1600iso before half time thats when it starts to take the piss abit

im assuming that your using something like the 400mm f2.8 ?
Do you use a second lense and body set up or do you just use the one ?

Sorry for all the questions just trying to push my football photography furtherUnder very poor lights, there's always going to be a limit to what you can shoot. Once you get to 1/400s or 1/320s, life gets pretty tricky.

In some ways you're waiting for the players to tussle for the ball - but slowly ;) It happens from time to time and you need to nail the moment.

Also, you need to assess the lighting before you start. If the floodlights are in the corners of the ground, then it may be best to shoot from behind the goal... ditto, if the lights are down the sides, shooting from behind the goal isn't always a great idea.

It'll vary from ground to ground - if you've not been to a ground before, get there early, check it out and work your positioning around your brief from your publication. At some grounds there will be limitations on where you can shoot from and all bets are off.

If I'm shooting action, I'll use two bodies (400 or 300 + 70-200). If I'm shooting stock, I'll try to use the 400mm exclusively as the picture quality from the 70-200 isn't really up to the job for good stock.

Three bodies are also handy as you can set up a remote. It can involve some croppage, but occasionally you get a usable image of a goal even if it does look like it was taken on a camera phone :lol:...

http://www.tgsphoto.co.uk/forum_images/o006.jpg

[saggy9999]

If you ever get the chance Gavin
a wee tutorial in setting up a behind the goal remote would be superb
as I have a 1D body sitting spare and have the sigma 15-30 that would give
a nice wide angle
I use the Mark II and 20D when I am shooting a game
Just find the extra pixels help with the 20D over the 1D

[gmen]

If you ever get the chance Gavin
a wee tutorial in setting up a behind the goal remote would be superb
as I have a 1D body sitting spare and have the sigma 15-30 that would give
a nice wide angle
I use the Mark II and 20D when I am shooting a game
Just find the extra pixels help with the 20D over the 1DBizzarely there is a reverse logic here.... if I could choose a camera to use for a remote, I'd go with a 1Ds MkII (or 1Ds MkIII.. hmmmmm... :lol:).

The more pixels the better. If you can shoot a bit wider but have the ability to crop in a bit more, the more chance of getting the frame you need. With a remote you have no control over the composition once you've set it up, so if the action happens in the wrong spot and is a bit too far away, your best hope is that you can crop to camera phone quality.

On the 1D it might be a bridge too far. You'll want to shoot quite a bit tighter and hope the action takes place in the right area, i.e. go to the 30mm end of your 15-30.

Having said that, the key thing is to keep in mind that there's nothing to lose. You might end up with a couple of hundred redundant frames from a game. But so be it. Every now and then you might get a peachy one.

---- Gavin

[Zilly]

Under very poor lights, there's always going to be a limit to what you can shoot. Once you get to 1/400s or 1/320s, life gets pretty tricky.

In some ways you're waiting for the players to tussle for the ball - but slowly ;) It happens from time to time and you need to nail the moment.

Also, you need to assess the lighting before you start. If the floodlights are in the corners of the ground, then it may be best to shoot from behind the goal... ditto, if the lights are down the sides, shooting from behind the goal isn't always a great idea.

The lights looks the same as youve got in the shot bellow but with two less how ever they pulse at about one stop of light which is a pain im stuck in line with the goal which means i get some great up close action (and the odd stray ball) but the 70 -200 is just too shot (wanna send me something longerhttp://nsra.org.uk/forum/images/angel_125.gif)


It'll vary from ground to ground - if you've not been to a ground before, get there early, check it out and work your positioning around your brief from your publication. At some grounds there will be limitations on where you can shoot from and all bets are off.

If I'm shooting action, I'll use two bodies (400 or 300 + 70-200). If I'm shooting stock, I'll try to use the 400mm exclusively as the picture quality from the 70-200 isn't really up to the job for good stock.

When you say stock do you mean just genral head shots)


Three bodies are also handy as you can set up a remote. It can involve some croppage, but occasionally you get a usable image of a goal even if it does look like it was taken on a camera phone :lol:...


if i could get shots like that of my 1 series let along a camera phone i would be quite happy

[khall]

Hi Zilly.
Sorry. I will have to remember that when responding to UK post I must call it "Football"
Cheers Ken.

[tonio]

What sort of lens are you using to get that close to the action?

[melly]

these photos look really nice:)

[musicmate]

Wicked images as allways m8.

Steve

[Borderfox]

Great shots Gavin, captures the action really well.

[Croasdail]

Great stuff Gavin.... having shot an RFU match at Richmond last week, I finally get these smaller venues and would be all over them if I were based over there. The intimacy with the fans, opportunity for interaction, and hanging with the teams and members afterwards was a kick. It puts some more context to your work, and I appreciate it more.

[AMurrell]

Love the photos gavin, as I always do. Sent you a PM

[Tall_Paul_2000]

Cracking. Corking. Smashing! Take your pick really - good work, again.

Seems your footballing break is over then.....don't worry, only another 8/9 months until next summer's break :lol:

[gmen]

Thanks all for the comments! Cheers!

Seems your footballing break is over then.....don't worry, only another 8/9 months until next summer's break :lol:Been back on the football for quite a while Paul :lol: Our first football booking of the 2007/08 season was way back on 2nd July:

http://www.photoshelter.com/c/tgsphoto/gallery-show/G0000xTOMzS9jc9g

... and I shot my first full game back on 14th July:

http://www.photoshelter.com/c/tgsphoto/gallery-show/G0000JTF6bRecja0

Hmmmm... how long does the season last again?

What sort of lens are you using to get that close to the action?The action shots in this set were taken with the 400mm f/2.8L IS.

Great stuff Gavin.... having shot an RFU match at Richmond last week, I finally get these smaller venues and would be all over them if I were based over there. The intimacy with the fans, opportunity for interaction, and hanging with the teams and members afterwards was a kick. It puts some more context to your work, and I appreciate it more.Hope you enjoyed your time in the UK Mark. I've not been to Richmond RUFC for a good few years, but I recall it being a very nice venue indeed.

I agree entirely with what you say about the intimacy of the 'smaller' matches.

---- Gavin

[gmen]

When you say stock do you mean just genral head shotsStock encompasses generic images that can be used to illustrate articles/features in the absence of (or instead of) live action pics.

Yep, it could be a head shot of a player or a full length solo action pic... or a manager shot like this...

http://www.photoshelter.com/c/tgsphoto/gallery-img-show?G_ID=G0000rAUB8V65tJc&start=2&pagtotal=90

...and so on...

---- Gavin

[DwightMcCann]

Now that I have three bodies [1DMII, 1DMIIN, 5D] I think I could use five. I hope to add 2 1DMIIIs and a 1DsMIII by around the end of the year ... I know that makes six but it is nice to have a backup.

[gmen]

Now that I have three bodies [1DMII, 1DMIIN, 5D] I think I could use five. I hope to add 2 1DMIIIs and a 1DsMIII by around the end of the year ... I know that makes six but it is nice to have a backup.Only six Dwight?Once you've got those set up as remotes, what are you going to use handheld?

---- Gavin

[Croasdail]

I think Dwight has made it his personal quest to keep Canon in business. I will be upgrading a bunch of my stuff this year, and I am looking at my old 20d and 10d trying to emotionally prepare to say goodbye to them. They aren't worth too much as they are well used but in good shape, so I should just keep them. But I just have a hard time looking at my shelf with it's ever growing row of camera bodies and not feel I finally have too much stuff, particularly since many of them don't get used too much. Anyway.... I digress here.

[DwightMcCann]

Only six Dwight?Once you've got those set up as remotes, what are you going to use handheld?

---- Gavin
Damn, I just wasn't thinking! Seriously, two remotes, UWA, mid-zoom and 300/400mm doesn't seem unreasonable to me at all. Would be useful at football, bike racing, boxing/MMA ... maybe overkill for cricket where all you need a 600mm f/4!

I think Dwight has made it his personal quest to keep Canon in business. I will be upgrading a bunch of my stuff this year, and I am looking at my old 20d and 10d trying to emotionally prepare to say goodbye to them. They aren't worth too much as they are well used but in good shape, so I should just keep them. But I just have a hard time looking at my shelf with it's ever growing row of camera bodies and not feel I finally have too much stuff, particularly since many of them don't get used too much. Anyway.... I digress here.
Whoa, I'm glad I don't get too attached to inanimate objects. And I never feel like I could have too much stuff ... is that possible?

The under current to all this is that until I retire from the University I am significantly better off re-investing all income from my photography business. It gives a hugely disproportionate sense of what I am doing, but being moderately successful means I have to figure out where to spend the money (a big burden.) So, maybe I am missing a trick and should get into the Photography as a Business lecture circuit. ;)

[david_usmarine]

great shots Gavin.....all of them
what was the iso/shutter speed ?

[gmen]

great shots Gavin.....all of them
what was the iso/shutter speed ?Thanks David. The EXIF data should be intact.... the pics in the original post are all around 1/1600s, f/3.5 at ISO500 or so... the light faded a bit as the game went on, so I'll have upped the ISO, trimmed a bit off the shutter speed and opened the aperture up a wee bit as time went on.

---- Gavin

[david_usmarine]

so gavin.....
as the light goes away the iso goes up...aperature opens up more.....and shutter speed drops to let more light in right ?
so in the light.....iso comes down....shutter speed goes up.......and aperature can go either way ?

[mckc]

what are your settings during a soccer game? I just tried my first and it was way harder than I imagined. Do you shoot in M? AV?

[DwightMcCann]

I just tried my first and it was way harder than I imagined.

I, too, had that unsettling surprise when shooting soccer ... and I have the same equipment as Gavin. I think Gavin could do this with a point & shoot ... maybe even a pinhole camera. I managed one decent image from an entire game of Sunday League.

[mckc]

I, too, had that unsettling surprise when shooting soccer ... and I have the same equipment as Gavin. I think Gavin could do this with a point & shoot ... maybe even a pinhole camera. I managed one decent image from an entire game of Sunday League.

haha...ya..it is not easy AT ALL! butttt...its fun so that makes it worth it.

[mckc]

Now that I have three bodies [1DMII, 1DMIIN, 5D] I think I could use five. I hope to add 2 1DMIIIs and a 1DsMIII by around the end of the year ... I know that makes six but it is nice to have a backup.

ook...holy crap! how do you have sooooooo...much money to buy all those cameras?? If you are looking to get rid of any let me know and I will take one...

for free...lol ;)

[Zilly]

Stock encompasses generic images that can be used to illustrate articles/features in the absence of (or instead of) live action pics.

Yep, it could be a head shot of a player or a full length solo action pic... or a manager shot like this...

http://www.photoshelter.com/c/tgsphoto/gallery-img-show?G_ID=G0000rAUB8V65tJc&start=2&pagtotal=90

...and so on...

---- Gavin

Thanks for the insight gavin much appreciated

[gmen]

I was shooting for a couple of papers and, if anyone's really bored, one of the articles can be seen here:

http://editions.pagesuite.co.uk//_PSEDitions/Archant/East%20London%20Advertiser/2007-08-23/PDFPages/Page40.pdf

what are your settings during a soccer game? I just tried my first and it was way harder than I imagined. Do you shoot in M? AV?I try to stay in manual as far as possible... although when the light is varying Av is generally the way to go.

I, too, had that unsettling surprise when shooting soccer ... and I have the same equipment as Gavin. I think Gavin could do this with a point & shoot ... maybe even a pinhole camera. I managed one decent image from an entire game of Sunday League.Pinhole camera Dwight? Hmmm....

Thanks for the insight gavin much appreciatedNo problem at all Zilly.

---- Gavin