Shooting sports? Thoughts and questions after my first experience...

[blackshadow]

I made my first attempt at Sports Photography on Saturday - the results can be seen at http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=466055

In three quarters of footy I shot about 1150 shots and culled it down to 650 or so images immediately due to either missed focus or poor composition on my part.

From those 650 I culled down to a keeper set of 50 images.

I was very happy with the results from the day. What type of keeper rate/images sent for publication would a pro sports tog normally achieve when shooting a football game?

It took me a bit of getting used to following or predicting the action, I assume with practice this will improve.

I was shooting jpg, mainly Mmode after starting inTv with stock standard camera settings.

Do any of you pro sports photographers have some suggested settings for jpgs and AF for a 1 D Mark III?

Overall I was very happy with my results from a first attempt but I'd really like some feedback from some experienced sports photographers.

[bildeb0rg]

Great shots in your link. Loads of info on settings for the mkIII in the stickies.
As for keeper rate, I don't t hink it matters how many tou shoot at a game, but by definition there is only one "best pic".
If you can get 50 pics that you really like from a match then youu must be doing something right.
As for publications, if they ask for three or five, then give them that, and no more. Most picture eds don't have the time to wade to through 20-30 pics, as they're on a deadline.

[blackshadow]

Thanks bildeb0rg

[Riff Raff]

Just goes to show that if you have a firm grasp of the basics, you can shoot most anything successfully. Great shots. :) And yes, familiarity with the subject matter is absolutely key for any type of action photography. In order to capture the action when it's happening, it helps an awful lot to know that it's about to happen a few seconds beforehand. That mostly just comes with experience though.

[blackshadow]

I'm certainly used to action, mainly musicians on stage type action. I'm keen to do some more sports after my first attempt.