Hockey

[IncompletePete]

A couple of hockey shots from todays match between Loughborough and Nottingham!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v192/incompletepete/hoc-tackle.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v192/incompletepete/trio.jpg

[MegaTrixel]

I like the action! Is that moisture flying up on that first shot?

No motion blur (which is sometimes my downfall).

Good shots.

[IncompletePete]

Yea, the pitch is waterbased, makes for some interesting shots!

[wpez72]

Wow, what shutter speed/iso were you using?

Will..

[wpez72]

Wow, what shutter speed/iso were you using?

Will..

[dtrayers]

Great shots! Very sharp!

Where's the ice? :wink: :wink:

[MazerRakhm]

Where's the ice? :wink: :wink:

It obviously melted durring the lockout! (American Hockey, or lack of humor.)

NHL = No Hockey Likely


Great shot though! I love the water droplets!

[gmen]

Nice work Pete.

I think I'd like to see some more of the faces in the first shot and a ball in the second one - but this is a very fast moving sport! I speak from experience as I've been shooting it for my paper recently.

I'd also suggest that maybe you shoot from a lower position (were you standing?). This would shift the horizon line downwards slightly and give the shots even more impact.

Those waterbased pitches certainly make for some good splashing action - even more so when it's raining!

Keep shooting and keep posting. I may be shooting Loughborough Students this Sunday at Old Loughtonians!

If you're bored I've got some hockey galleries at:

http://www.tgsphoto.co.uk/oll171004/index.html
http://www.tgsphoto.co.uk/ol031004/index.html
http://www.tgsphoto.co.uk/ol171004/index.html

[IncompletePete]

I was quite limited positionwise, could only stand at the side of the pitch, might try and force my way on to the pitch on the other side and sit down.. Just don't feel 100% safe there tho...... lol

[gmen]

I have to agree it's dangerous on the sidelines... but keep both eyes open and you'll be OK!

Shot some hockey today again - Redbridge & Ilford vs Luton - pics are here: http://www.tgsphoto.co.uk/ri061104/

When's your next hockey shoot?

[sGu]

gmen, what lens do you use for hockey? and whereabout do you like to position yourself in order to get most actions?

I've never shot any hockey before, but soon I'll be shooting for my school, thought I'd ask you for some advice.

Nice work!

[gmen]

Hi sGu - I use a 300mm f/2.8 for hockey - sometimes with the 1.4x converter.

I generally position myself along the sidelines - around 2/3 of the way to the half-way line from the goal-line. I can then fill the frame with the goalmouth and also get oncoming action from the midfield areas. This works pretty well.

As always, keep both eyes open. I work from the pitchside (get clearance from the umpires), sitting down to keep a nice low angle. That little ball moves mighty fast, so watch the play at all times - don't 'chimp' too much!

[sGu]

Thanks gmen, how often do you use 1.4x TC with 300mm? Would a 400mm be too long?

I don't chimp once action starts, but not quite mastered the technique to keep both eyes open when shooting, gonna have to work on that if I don't wanna get hit by a flying hockey ball!

[gmen]

I use the 1.4x extender about 50%-60% of them time - as long as the light is OK. Most hockey starts are 2pm or earlier so it's usually pretty good.

400mm can be a little too long when shooting around the goalmouth area from the sidelines - except maybe from the half-way line - as the playing area is a somewhat smaller than a football pitch. However, as always, the tighter you can crop in camera the better - hence I try to keep the extender on as much as I can.