Chilly Willy SoCal Soccer

[Big Hands]

The fields at our local tournament were white with frost Sunday morning and that was like a summer day at the beach compared to the previous day at the National Soccer Center in Lancaster. That was without a doubt the most miserable cold, wet and windy day I have ever spent at the pitch. I had a long sleeve base layer, a cotton shirt, a light sweatshirt/jacket, a heavy hooded sweatshirt and a thick hooded jacket over that, long underwear under my jeans, gloves and a beanie under the two hoods and was still miserably cold. I was so cold, I quit shooting and did not shoot my son's afternoon match and I have never done that before.

The National Soccer Center in Lancaster is basically out in the middle of the desert although they have built up a little around there. At one far end the complex is bordered by quite a large empty parcel. Our last match was at the field right next to the vacant land. The wind was so loud, it sounded like the 405 freeway at rush hour and although I knew there was not road anywhere nearby, I had to go double check to see that it was indeed nothing but the wind blowing through the fence and trees along the edge of the fields.

I know there is much colder weather in other parts of the country, but we are out in force and playing soccer in temps that are in the 30's and 40's at least a few times a year and I have seen them playing with it the 20's which is cold for playing soccer by any standards. They are calling for snow down to 1500' tomorrow night (I live at 1675').

Here are some shots from Saturday out in Lancaster at the National Soccer Center. All shot with my Canon 20D and 70-200 f/2.8L or 300D with 400 f/5.6L where noted. C&C always welcome.

1- 300D with 400 f/5.6L
http://photos.imageevent.com/johansen01/westranchsoccer0809/wrhs121308/IMG_9082.jpg

2- 300D with 400 f/5.6L
http://photos.imageevent.com/johansen01/westranchsoccer0809/wrhs121308/IMG_9124.jpg

3-
http://photos.imageevent.com/johansen01/westranchsoccer0809/wrhs121308/IMG_9339.jpg

4-
http://photos.imageevent.com/johansen01/westranchsoccer0809/wrhs121308/IMG_9445.jpg

5-
http://photos.imageevent.com/johansen01/westranchsoccer0809/wrhs121308/IMG_9375.jpg

6-
http://photos.imageevent.com/johansen01/westranchsoccer0809/wrhs121308/IMG_9516.jpg

7-
http://photos.imageevent.com/johansen01/westranchsoccer0809/wrhs121308/IMG_9555.jpg

8- My son saving a PK.
http://photos.imageevent.com/johansen01/westranchsoccer0809/wrhs121308/IMG_9471.jpg

Thanks for looking.

Regards,
Jeff

[ej82m]

Great shots! I gave my 300D to my brother and am still surprised by the great shots it still produces considering its age.

[Hamster_Huey]

Awesome pics Jeff! I am a goalkeeper myself and it looks like your son has some solid technique :). Did his team win?

I was curious about your pics with the 400 f5.6 L lens, it seems like it was a pretty overcast day but you still managed to get good pics at ISO 400. Am I missing something? I was expecting to see a lot more motion blur.