US Open Tennis Practice Day

[nicksan]

Folks,

I just got the 300 f/4L IS and used it to shoot the US Open Tennis Practice Day...which in turn was the first time I shot Tennis. I was able to get pretty close to the players, so it was pretty fun.

It was rough in the beginning then I remembered all the tips I read in here about where to shoot from, angles, framing, etc. I think I got a few pretty decent ones...

I had both my 300L and 70-200 f2.8 IS in addition to my 1.4x TC, but never used the 70-200.

So be gentle...wait...maybe not. C&C more than welcomed.:lol:
(Oh, and sorry if I missed some of the player's name...I only know a handful of higher profile players...so feel free to fill in the blanks!)

Jelena Jankovic (Not too bad for my first few shots...)
http://nicksan.zenfolio.com/img/v2/p348144906-5.jpg

Carlos Moya
http://nicksan.zenfolio.com/img/v1/p223406679-5.jpg

Jie Zheng
http://nicksan.zenfolio.com/img/v1/p266060926-5.jpg

Shahar Peer (Top of her head got chopped off...but I still like the shot)
http://nicksan.zenfolio.com/img/v1/p180544464-4.jpg

[nicksan]

Unknown...
http://nicksan.zenfolio.com/img/v1/p267918151-5.jpg

Rafa (I was on the bleachers...not a good vantage point at all...)
http://nicksan.zenfolio.com/img/v1/p93305359-5.jpg

Rafa
http://nicksan.zenfolio.com/img/v1/p131448312-5.jpg

James Blake...he was p*ssed off at something and didn't play too much.:rolleyes:
http://nicksan.zenfolio.com/img/v1/p256271213-5.jpg

[nicksan]

Last few shots...these were towards the end of the day. Managed to figure out better angles...

Ai Sugiyama
http://nicksan.zenfolio.com/img/v1/p140954554-5.jpg

Patty Schnyder
http://nicksan.zenfolio.com/img/v1/p80587979-4.jpg

Juan Monaco
http://nicksan.zenfolio.com/img/v1/p242424889-5.jpg

Juan Martin Del Potro
http://nicksan.zenfolio.com/img/v1/p389236812-4.jpg

EDIT: IMAGE POSTING RULES (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=74718)No more than 8 embedded pics by the OP per thread

[900spg]

I really like the 3rd shot and the last. All are nice and excellent for a first attempt. Looking forward to seeing more.

[nicksan]

I really like the 3rd shot and the last. All are nice and excellent for a first attempt. Looking forward to seeing more.

Thanks!
I was getting a better hang of things later on the day, but my wife wanted to leave b/c she spotted a few people from where she used to work and she didn't want to deal with them. Small world...:lol:

I really think if I had another hour, I would have gotten better action shots...more in line with the last shot you commented on...maybe next time.:D

Here's a few more...

Juan Monaco
http://nicksan.zenfolio.com/img/v1/p285149869-4.jpg

Unknown
http://nicksan.zenfolio.com/img/v1/p123712978-5.jpg

Unknown
http://nicksan.zenfolio.com/img/v1/p168374415-4.jpg

[T2000]

Nice work.

1st unknown = Shahar Peer of Israel, ranked in the top 20 for a while now. Made it to the 4th round last year (may have been the quarterfinals, I forget)

2nd unknown = beats me.

3rd unknown = Patty Schnyder. Swiss. Top 20 for many years. She was upset by a 16 year old Austrian player (Paszak) early last year.

4th = Juan Monaco. Lost in 4 sets to Djokovic in the 4th round last year.

I was most interested in watching Ernests Gulbis. As a luck would have it, he was hitting out on court 17. He's 19. He'll crack the top 5 within a year or two.

He plays Roddick in round two, if they both get there. He certainly has the game to beat Roddick.

I put up some shots.

www.proTennisPhotos.com

PS, sorry I scared your wife.:D

[nicksan]

Thanks!

I updated my posts.

Any idea who the last unknown is?

Nice work.

1st unknown = Shahar Peer of Israel, ranked in the top 20 for a while now. Made it to the 4th round last year (may have been the quarterfinals, I forget)

2nd unknown = beats me.

3rd unknown = Patty Schnyder. Swiss. Top 20 for many years. She was upset by a 16 year old Austrian player (Paszak) early last year.

4th = Juan Monaco. Lost in 4 sets to Djokovic in the 4th round last year.

I was most interested in watching Ernests Gulbis. As a luck would have it, he was hitting out on court 17. He's 19. He'll crack the top 5 within a year or two.

He plays Roddick in round two, if they both get there. He certainly has the game to beat Roddick.

I put up some shots.

www.proTennisPhotos.com (http://www.proTennisPhotos.com)

PS, sorry I scared your wife.:D

[butcha27]

Beautifully Sharp images .... the 300 f/4L is my favourite lens in my kit, you'll love it.

Keep em coming!

[Smad728]

Great set of pictures:)

[nicksan]

Thanks...and again any C&C would be welcomed since I am a newbie at shooting any kinds of sports.:D

[T2000]

Your welcome.

"Any idea who the last unknown is? "

Sorry, looks familiar but can't put a name to the face.

USO day 3 and 4 up -->

Sorry couldn't get my butt over to Ashe to see Ivanovic fall.

www.proTennisPhotos.com

[cr44]

US Open, one of the great events in sport. I wish I could attend a day there! Love the shots!

[nicksan]

T2000, great shots!

Funny, so that's how Juan Martin Del Potro looks like when he shaves.:D

Your welcome.

"Any idea who the last unknown is? "

Sorry, looks familiar but can't put a name to the face.

USO day 3 and 4 up -->

Sorry couldn't get my butt over to Ashe to see Ivanovic fall.

www.proTennisPhotos.com (http://www.proTennisPhotos.com)

[nicksan]

Thanks!!!
US Open, one of the great events in sport. I wish I could attend a day there! Love the shots!

[vreeke]

like the dry musckels off Nadal, tennis needs te be pictured about hiphight fore the best shots

[Shooter Steve]

Nice shots. I'm heading to the US Open this week for a couple of days. Do you know if they have any rules/restrictions from shooting from the stands? I believe we have some excellent seats and I'd like to bring my 40D with 70-200 2.8 but would hate to get stopped at the gate with my gear.

Thanks,
Shooter Steve

[nicksan]

According to their website, they have a bag restriction of 12" x 12" x 16" single compartment bag. No backpacks are allowed.

So if it fits in the bag, then I would assume you are golden.

I brought a 300L and a 70-200 f2.8 Is with me, but they were probably looser with security during practice though you can actually get closer to the players. Go figure...

I did however have my 24-105L mounted on my 1DMKIII at the gate as to not look obvious. My white lenses were inside the bag. I picked an older man (more like grandpa aged) to check my bag. Told him these were lenses not "bazookas" then laughed. He did too. I was in...no problem.

There's always a risk bumping into a checker "on a mission"...but I would think you would be good to go.

Good luck and have fun!


Nice shots. I'm heading to the US Open this week for a couple of days. Do you know if they have any rules/restrictions from shooting from the stands? I believe we have some excellent seats and I'd like to bring my 40D with 70-200 2.8 but would hate to get stopped at the gate with my gear.

Thanks,
Shooter Steve

[ibdb]

My wife keeps saying that she'd like to go back and see the Open some time. I've always thought it sounded like fun, but after seeing your shots, I really want to go now. :lol:

[T2000]

"T2000, great shots!

Funny, so that's how Juan Martin Del Potro looks like when he shaves"

Thank you. I'll post more days if I can. If there is any player you want to see let me know.