Football (soccer) pictures (advice please)

[Nigel Wallace]

Folks

I have been asked to take the official football team pictures for my sons club (getting paid yes) Any idea on price per print. I was looking at £3.50 -£4.00 (uk) a picture. Not looking to make a million but enough to cover my costs and a little time . It may open a few doors, who knows huh. There are 3 teams , 45 players in total.

They will be full team and individual shots. My equipment will be what is listed below in my details. The shots will be outside , hopefully in decent weather.
My concern is making sure i have everyone in focus. Would Autofocus or Manual Focus be best for the team shots, also shutter settings , is it best to shoot at f8 + to get a better depth of field?

Any advice would be useful to make sure the project is a success and i get happy players / parents

Cheers

Nigel

[cmM]

okay. I've shot little soccer, but here's a thing that prooved usefull, especially in youth soccer. Shoot from behind the goal line to make sure their faces appear and you can clearly see their expressions, they make the funnies faces ever. Also, don't frame it too close. you want make them look real. They're small people, don't make them look like giants.

Good luck.
As for pricing, you didn't mention what size. For 8x10's you can charge more than that.

[ShutteringFocus]

Are you taking about Action shots?

I shoot for my school's newspaper and year book. Every single sport picture they have picked to use always has a good view of the faces of the players.

You deffinetly need the faces. Think of a good sports shot like a portrait. I see millions of sports photos where you cant see the faces of the players...

Now Ill be the first to say that there is no set rule for anything in photography...and sometimes the photo without the face is pretty cool...but if you are going to sell photos of little kids playing soccer to their parents....

FACES

FACES

FACES!

If you are talking about Team Portrait type shots I would just appoach those like normal portraits...although I must admit I havent done any Team Portrait work. But I can tell you from what I know.

If its a big team you deffinelty want everyone in focus, and if you are talking 8x10 blow ups it's important. Big depth of field is the key there.

Personally I'm a big stickler for customer service...because I know I like to be treated well. Since you are shooting digital you have the oportunity to make sure you have good shots of each player. I've done shots for groups kinda like this before and I always let them review the photos on the camera and what not. I treat them like my own friends. When I take a photo of a friend they always say "let me see." Why not treat your clients the same way?

I dont think you'll have any trouble. Just be friendly! :lol:

[Nigel Wallace]

Folks

Thanks for the tips, I will be shooting portraits , no actions shots. What F number would you folks suggest as a minimum., light dependant of course.

The folks at the club are good people, from the action shots they have seen me do they are very happy. I am just making sure i think of everything.

Cheers

Nigel

:D

[MrChad]

I don't worry a bunch about the aperture, I'm usually wide open trying to shoot a shutter of 125 or faster.

For football games at night a good flash is a must.
I've found my 420EX great but a 550EX is even better.

I'd also use the fastest lens you have in the 70-200mm range or longer, and if you can afford IS in your lens even better.

[Groundworxs]

Hi Nigel I shot some teams earlier this year here are a couple of suggestions.
-arrange all the player in the net it makes a nice back drop
-arrange in three line back standing middle kneeling front cross legged sitting.
-have the standing and kneeling players turn on a 45 degree angle so they are turned toward the centre (not shoulder to shoulder)
-goalie sits in the front row in the centre with gloves on holding the ball
- if using a tripod stand behind the camera not beside it their eyes follow you
-get everyones attention to look at the lens as the picture is taken
-over cast days are ideal you may need to use fill flash
-don't shoot into the sun
-shooting straight on is fine also try kneeling low in front of the goalie (you may need to lay on your stomach) with a wide angel and shoot up on angel
TTFN
cheers

Tom (a skoowzer)