Shooting Soccer with a 70-200mm, first time!

[Aszental]

Heya.

I'm Shooting a soccer game for a friend and the longest lens i have is a 70-200 2.8mm.

I've heard this is a little short for soccer games, so where would you reccomend i could stand that would enable me to get good shots that fill the frame?

Thanks!

[packpe89]

What size field? If full size, then yes maybe a little short.

I like to stand on the side with my back to the sun about 1/3 or so from the end line. Should have a chance to shoot players running down the side line or throwing in, as well as locate about where the goalies can punt, to get some headers. I'll also get behind a goal to one side, usually the left because of right footed kickers to try and get the head on shoots.

[khall]

If the pictures are only for your friend playing, locate yourself in the area that he generally be playing.

[Welby]

I'm doing the same thing in a couple of hours. I think i will probably get on the side line at the end the team i'am shooting are attacking about 3/4 of the way towards the goals from the half way line. Does that make sense :lol:

[jaxson5]

Depends on where you'r friend is playing. If he's a forward, stand behind the goal, in between the post and the box line. if a defender or goalkeeper, stand on the sidline perpendicular to the box line. That works best for me in HS games.

[dmwierz]

Like shooting American football, shooting from the sidelines is problematic. Lotsa interference from players (both in the game and on the sidelines) and officials not to mention potentially horrible backgrounds. I shoot a 70-200 f/2.8L on a second body (with a 400 or 400 + 1.4X TC on the primary body) when covering big guys soccer. I'd forget about midfield and position myself beyond the goal line somewhere around the hash mark. Even on a full-sized field you can shoot 25-35 yards out, if only on your side of the goal. If you must shoot from the sidelines, a position about even with the 18 yard penalty box is good, but you'll only be able to cover the near side of the pitch with the 70-200.

You may be tempted to over-shoot the 70-200, especially on a full-size pitch. What I mean by this is to try to catch action too far away from you, beyond the range of your lens. Don't do this - wait for the action to come to you - it will.

[Familiaphoto]

As said above, pick and end of the field and hang out there, the action will come to you. Depending on how old the player is the 70-200 may even be too much reach. My son has played in AYSO and the 70-200 can be too much reach.

[352McCoy]

I have the same lens and I like to shoot soccer from a variety of different positions. Since soccer is a game of constant motion, be patient and the player you are aiming to shoot will eventually run towards you. You will be pleased with these frontal shots. I also use the TC 1.4 with great success, but only in daylight situations. Another tip; if the soccer game features younger youth players, try shooting low to the ground. Best of luck!

[Aszental]

Well here are some photos, was taking of an 87yr old who is still in the league, think he's the oldest in Australia still playing!

http://www.aszental.smugmug.com/photos/260778579_WKkp2-L.jpg

http://www.aszental.smugmug.com/photos/260778920_rvjgc-L.jpg

http://www.aszental.smugmug.com/photos/260778815_aWEAg-L.jpg

http://www.aszental.smugmug.com/photos/260779280_C8Did-L.jpg

http://www.aszental.smugmug.com/photos/260780703_6Tqnu-L.jpg


Thanks for all the help guys!

[Aszental]

Here's a few more.

http://www.aszental.smugmug.com/photos/260779816_fEfNh-L.jpg

http://www.aszental.smugmug.com/photos/260779402_2Sj6c-L.jpg

http://www.aszental.smugmug.com/photos/260779672_wp8in-L.jpg

[352McCoy]

I love these shots. As a former soccer player, I can honestly say that seeing an 87 year old athlete makes me rethink my retirement from the game at the age of 49! Wow!!!!!

[Aszental]

He has the cup every year in honour of his Birthday!, he nearly faints every year, doesn't stop him playing though

http://www.aszental.smugmug.com/photos/260780732_Q6n5U-L.jpg

[Big Hands]

I use the 70-200 f/2.8L as my primary lens for shooting soccer with a 20D. I think it does a pretty good job:

http://imageevent.com/johansen01/westranchsoccer0708/wrhsgvhs011107

My advice in this case is to shoot from the spot that will put the sun at your back so the exposure is most even and you don't have to fight the harsh shadows. If it's a bit coudy and you get a bit of a softbox effect, then I prefer to shoot from behind the endline (goal line) and hope the backgrounds aren't too tragic. I like the goal line position because you get players locking horns and going to goal for extended periods making for some great photo ops.

Good luck and I look forward to seeing your take from the day.

Regards,
Jeff

I like to shoot from a sitting position for a more pleasing perspective (IMHO).

[Red Dog]

Two choices really, if you want pictures of players scoring goals and celebrating scoring sit behind the bye line. If you want close-up action pictures of midfielders tackling take up postion along the sidelines halfway between the corner flag and half way line, provided the referee allows it. Some refs will, others won't and they may pit you behind the bye-line. As Big Hands says sit low, with the light behind preferably and be patient. The 70-200 works fine, and even at the other end of the pitch, its surprising how often you can still get a good photo despite the distance.
If you want to improve your reflexes for football (soccer) pics take up clay pigeon shooting. If you're really good you should be able to snap a penalty kick being taken with one shot and swing round to get the keeper and ball in the next.