Friday afternoon football

[Mike414]

Here is another football attempt using my XT with the 70-200 f/4L.
Av mode.

Your input is greatly appreciated to improve my photo experience.

# 1
http://i384.photobucket.com/albums/oo289/CanonDigitals/-6-1.jpg

# 2
http://i384.photobucket.com/albums/oo289/CanonDigitals/-12.jpg

# 3
http://i384.photobucket.com/albums/oo289/CanonDigitals/-14.jpg

# 4
http://i384.photobucket.com/albums/oo289/CanonDigitals/-5-1.jpg

# 5
http://i384.photobucket.com/albums/oo289/CanonDigitals/-1-1.jpg

# 6
http://i384.photobucket.com/albums/oo289/CanonDigitals/-11.jpg

# 7
http://i384.photobucket.com/albums/oo289/CanonDigitals/15.jpg

# 8
http://i384.photobucket.com/albums/oo289/CanonDigitals/-7.jpg

[Croasdail]

Ok, so here is the deal. Technically, these shots look fine. Nothing to add or subtract there. But a couple of things you need to take into account on shots like these. First, you need to assume the viewer has no idea who they are looking at, so a shot of joe the football player means nothing if there isn't something compelling happening in the shot. So for example, your first shot, this players friends and family would think it is swell. But to someone else, is there something compelling about this shot? These aren't absolute guidelines, but just take that into mind when you select your favorite shots. Remember, you were there, you know what happened and there is emotion attached to the shot. The viewers here were not, so they have no automatic attachment to the shot.

The good things is when you post stuff up here, you quickly learn if stuff resonates with people who know nothing about what happened or who the person is.... usually. With that said, this forum has become really fickle and there are a lot of people out there just looking at stuff and not contributing a tad to the community. So just because you don't get a lot of comments here by no means your stuff isn't good. It just means people aren't participating as the should.

[jblaschke]

Man, I've GOT to get me one o' them 70-200 L's!

You've got some nice, sharp captures here. Better than I've managed. From a former sportwriter/editor's perspective, no. 6 is easily the best. Why? Good composition, sure, with multiple elements and different levels of depth. But really, it's because of the eyes. People respond to the eyes, and with football, the shadows of the helmets usually obscure them. There's also a lot of dead space in these images. Tighter cropping would help most of them.

[Mike414]

Mark, thanks for your reply. I really like your comments about shot selections.
This is my second time trying to shot football; I'll keep in mind your comments & suggestions.

Thanks again.

[Big K]

It looks like you had about perfect light to shoot daytime football. This is rare. On days like this, where you can shoot from about anywhere, really work on finding places that will leave you with cleaner backgrounds. Also, shoot as tight as possible and crop even tighter.

Mark also makes several very good observations.

Overall, good technically sound images. Practice will improve the more artistic aspects.

[Mike414]

It looks like you had about perfect light to shoot daytime football. This is rare. On days like this, where you can shoot from about anywhere, really work on finding places that will leave you with cleaner backgrounds. Also, shoot as tight as possible and crop even tighter.

Mark also makes several very good observations.

Overall, good technically sound images. Practice will improve the more artistic aspects.

Thanks.
The first time I tried to shot football it was really sunny; really harsh lighting . This time it was a really nice, a little overcast and for the most part I was shooting with the sun behind me.

Thanks and I'll keep practicing.

[bobbyz]

I really like #6.

[snyderman]

As a complete noob to sports photography, I'll be tickled to get shots as crisp as yours. Reading a ton of good advice at this site. The first responder said something about 'what is compelling about your shots?' True. Here are some things I'm thinking about trying to capture:

1) The kids in the end zone after a successful 3rd and goal play from the 1 yard line. Standing at the back of the end-zone with an OOF ref signaling TD, the running back being greeted by his teammates and the opposing team walking the OTHER way would make a great shot and tell a wonderful story.

2) A sack. Defenders see this coming and it creates excitement around the event itself.

3) Player reaction to a missed FG.

4) A running back breaking through a hole in the line to find daylight.

5) A player coming out of the pile with the ball on a fumble recovery.

6) Big hits ... potential for fumble

When you watch a lot of sports, it's easier to anticipate plays. The situations above happen regularly during a HS football game and this is what I'm going to try to capture the next 2 years of my high-schooler's football career. And I'll try not to get too many pictures of the O-Line where he plays ... Boring!!!!

Nice pics. Keep posting the pics and settings so I can learn something, ok?!!! :)

dave

[DaveL]

I think you've made a nice argument for the XT or XTI and
70-200 f/4L being a very nice rig for reasonable price.

I would recommend working on timing, keeping low, and perhaps
crop a little tighter otherwise I think you did a nice job.

[Mike414]

Thanks Dave & I really like your "capture list".

I guess we should all have a list. I was reading somewhere that before you show-up to shot pictures you should have a plan of what you plan to accomplish.

Mike.

[Mike414]

I think you've made a nice argument for the XT or XTI and
70-200 f/4L being a very nice rig for reasonable price.

I would recommend working on timing, keeping low, and perhaps
crop a little tighter otherwise I think you did a nice job.

Thanks for the tips Dave.
Here is another picture from the same game. I was sitting on the ground (fourth quarter :) ) so I was able to take it from a lower angle.


http://i384.photobucket.com/albums/oo289/CanonDigitals/D-1.jpg

Sometimes I have a hard time deciding how far to crop a picture.....I guess it depends on the picture right?
i.e. take this picture. Do I trim tighter to just show the players or do I keep the "20" as a reference point?
http://i384.photobucket.com/albums/oo289/CanonDigitals/F.jpg