Rugby - 1st attempts!

[deblur]

I've just started doing some sports photography for a new student newspaper. Never really shot outdoors sports before (did a some Karate before), so I'm trying to learn fast! My sporting knowledge is pretty limited, so I'm just shooting what I think looks nice!

First shoot last week was overcast, so no problems changing angles. I also borrowed my friend's 70-200 f/2.8 IS, and used my 1.4x TC on some shots. Click the shots to see on flickr (and bigger size)


1
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2170/1826978352_b39be0d2d3.jpg
(http://www.flickr.com/photos/deblur/1826978352/)

2
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2370/1826984046_90ecf9cfcd.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/deblur/1826984046/)

3
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2350/1826967868_90ea33102a.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/deblur/1826967868/)

see the rest of the album (http://www.flickr.com/photos/deblur/sets/72157602844659229/)


This week's match I was using my 135 f/2, 70/200 f/4 IS, and 1.4x TC. So I ended up doing a lot more running around to get close up, although the strong November afternoon sun meant there was only really one side of the pitch I could shoot from:


4
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2186/2037749318_a3385de267.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/deblur/2037749318/)


5
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2314/2036950947_10a124d389.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/deblur/2036950947/)

6
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2136/2036951509_2874b986b4.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/deblur/2036951509/)

7
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2128/2037752990_731aba9f14.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/deblur/2037752990/)

8
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2146/2037750284_5871208c97.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/deblur/2037750284/)



see the rest of the album (http://www.flickr.com/photos/deblur/sets/72157603208623621/)

I was pretty much shooting everything wide open, so only about 1/3 to 1/2 were focused in the right place, especially at f/2! The other problem was the size of the pitch... the 135 is great when the action comes by, but when it moves to the other side, even 280mm isn't enough! I should point out, some of those shots were cropped up to 50%...

[gsgary]

Not bad for first time 1,3, and 4 are best, 3 would have been great if the ball was there, don't worry about shooting into the sun you can get some good backlit shots
http://gsgary.smugmug.com/photos/140241268-M.jpg
http://gsgary.smugmug.com/photos/140241044-M.jpg

[deblur]

thanks! I tried shooting into the sun a little bit but only got one or two usable shots - the 135 seems to be really susceptible to lack of contrast in that situation.

I did get one like 4 (you meant 4, not 3 I guess) with the guy catching the ball, though I preferred the facial expressions in the one above! Also I should probably be choosing shots that show the home team (Edinburgh, in the blue and white) in a good light :)

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2270/2037749584_f2cc2983dd.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/deblur/2037749584/)

[khall]

Good set for just starting shoot the game.
Focus is good and you have good player background separation.
I think you will find that the 70-200mm is the better option as it gives a lot more scope and variance. With sporting pictures you have shoot from the best place for getting the action, so at times you will have to shoot in to the sun, so you better start practicing now....:)
Good Luck.