Shooting Football - First Time. Advice Needed!

[aidan_mfc]

Hi,

I am going to be shooting a local football match on Saturday (it came up with short notice!) and it is my first time of doing so. Oh, and I ought to mention that I'm decently new to photography and old had my DSLR (400D) for around a month now...

I was wondering if you guys could offer any advice for shooting the match tomorrow. I have picked up a few things like using the centre AF Point, and using a 300mm zoom lens if possible (which I have). Also I have picked up that the best places to be position is in the middle of one half and behind the goal (depending on the light)

The match is at 3pm so the light will be decently good and the weather is due to be about 20 degrees celcius with sunny intervals (and cloud).

I am using a EOS 400D with 70-300 f4-5.6 zoom lens. I also have an 18-55mm lens kit.

I will be able to get right close to the sidelines as there is a running track round the pitch which I am allowed to go on.

I will be sitting during the game, I have one of those little camping stools :). I have heard that taking shots while shooting produces some good results as such.

So any advice is welcomed!

Thanks in advance,

Aidan

[JurekB]

Hi Aiden, your best bet for football is to shoot with as fast a shutter speed as you can so keep your aperture wide open and aim to shoot 1/800 and above. Don't be afraid to bump up your iso to achieve this although tomorrow you should be ok and I doubt you'll need to go over 400.

That's about it really although you haven't mentioned if you've got a monopod. It may prove invaluable depending how heavy your lens is (if at all).

Other than that just try not to get caught out by silly but seemingly obvious things like sitting on the same side as one of the linesmen so when the action comes your way all you get is a shot of a linesmans butt.

Be sure to post some pics in the sports forum.

[aidan_mfc]

Thanks JurekB. I don't actually have a monopod, but my lens isn't that heavy... I should be ok (fingers crossed). The opportunity arisen rather quickly and therefore haven't really had much time to prepare.

Thanks for the information on the shutter speed and ISO, I wasn't sure about the shutter speed, especially seeing as I've never done it before.

Thanks once again.

Aidan

[Zilly]

Take a look at this thread
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=365985

and
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=129659

[mblanton]

Keep your ISO high (400-800) and set your shutter speed faster than the focal length of your lens. If your shooting 300mm, then you should set your shutter speed above 1/300 sec. I'd shoot Shutter Priority and AI Servo. If you don't know how to pan, start practicing, remember to follow past your subject as you press the shutter button for maximum sharpness. Don't expect perfect images.....a 70-300 is no match for a 300 or 400 2.8.

Good Luck!