The blown shot

[Joemt]

Shooting a varsity football game yesterday. I did not have access to the field
so I was shooting from outside the fence down by the endzone. I have a
sequence of shots where the running back is around the end coming right for
me and the endzone. He has one player to beat, just clears him so I figure
he's going to reach out and dive for the pylon. I can't believe this! This is
going to be awesome, I'm friends with his Dad and spoke with him before
the game. He say's make sure you get some good shots! I'm tracking
this sequence for about 16 frames before the series I'm about to show.
All but 1 frame is in perfect focus ( I drifted a bit using center point only
off the target ). So instead of diving, he completely catches me off guard
and leaps into the air and right over my focus point. I lose him off my
radar so to speak him do not comeback into focus until he's already on the
ground in the endzone. Of course I walk back and the WHOLE home town
is like "Did you get that, Did you get that????"

[Joemt]

2 More

[Joemt]

yet 2 more

[ChasWG]

Ouch! I can't tell you how often this has happened to me. I guess this would be a learning experience, huh? I would hope some of the more experienced pro photogs here will give you some words of advice.
All I can say is anticipate the action and follow the ball. That would have been a huge capture for you. I'm sorry it didn't work out. Better luck next time.

[Adama]

What camera are you using? Assuming a 1D series based on the AF overlay? What are your Servo settings?

[J.Napier]

Joemt,
What lens? Could you have shot a bit more loose? If a prime I can see that happenning. Thats sucks,keep at it. I have had the smae issues at times.

[Joemt]

Shot with a 1D Mark III, 200 f/2.8L II + 1.4 X. Tough to position yourself around
fences. Got plenty of other nice shots but when your team is getting blown
out 37 - 0 at the time, Everyone knows this was the TD and the play of the day.

Joemt.

[snyderman]

Ouch. Guess that's a good reason to shoot with 'both eyes' as some have recommended here. I haven't yet mastered that type of shooting. But after almost getting crushed last week inside the fences, keeping the OTHER eye on the action might be beneficial to all involved!

Sorry you didn't get the 'money shot' on the young man's TD 'leap!'

dave

[silvex]

the T-CON 1.4 will slowdown the 70-200L AF.

[10megapixel]

Happens to me all the time :lol:

[nicksan]

Looks familiar. ;)

[asysin2leads]

Yep, I've done the same thing. Happened today in a 6th grade game when a kid actually hurdled the defense. My AF point was between him and the guy on the ground. It happens.

[Adama]

My Mark III AF seems to always be smart and track the same player continuously no matter how inaccurate I am with the framing of the AF point. Except when the big play happens XD

[johndevane]

When do we get the CFn that lets you input what player you want the camera to follow? :) Then again, I'd probably put in the wrong player.

[Joemt]

Adama,

Servo was set to the "faster" side. I think you were going down the road of
the focus not so quick to jump to another target. I thought about that as well,
but the settings I have now have worked quick well in most circumstances.
I'll chalk this one up to pilot error.

Joemt.

[clarence]

When do we get the CFn that lets you input what player you want the camera to follow?

Back in 35mm film days (remember film?), I used to have the Canon Elan IIE with 3 eye-controlled focus points.

Similar to the OP, on Friday night I was following a touchdown run all the way into the endzone. As soon as he approached the goal line, I was obstructed by a cheerleader holding up a poster standing on another cheerleader's shoulders.

[HighPixel]

Arrggghhh..I hate to say this...and take this as CC, and I don't know how long you've been shooting sports, but this sequence is all fault or lack of experience of the photographer...which is...ahemmm, you. SORRY! Don't hit!
In all seriousness, looking at the grid and your center focus point, the camera is doing exactly what it's supposed to do, and seems to be doing it well. You just didn't follow the subjects action...
Hey, learn by mistakes...right?
Ron

[namasste]

Change servo to slow or moderately slow to start. Shoot fewer frames in a sequence to finish. I don't think I have EVER shot 16 consecutive frames of anything. You see this kid coming at you and obviously going for the score, start tracking and then its 2-3 frames and you should be money. Servo acts up sometimes when shooting large bursts if you ask me. Especially when the action is coming at you fast.

[clarence]

Arrggghhh..I hate to say this...and take this as CC, and I don't know how long you've been shooting sports, but this sequence is all fault or lack of experience of the photographer...which is...ahemmm, you.

Ron, I think the OP was blaming himself more than the camera.


Similar to the OP, on Friday night I was following a touchdown run all the way into the endzone. As soon as he approached the goal line, I was obstructed by a cheerleader holding up a poster standing on another cheerleader's shoulders.

Here's my misfocus sequence from Friday night...

http://loco-photo.com/images/filmstrip-TD.jpg

I thought it'd be funny to use the blank side of the cheerleader's poster as a billboard :lol:

http://loco-photo.com/images/2009-09-11_1820n-logo.jpg

[namasste]

Clarence, you are shameless!!!! lol!

[Sibil]

You are not alone. It happens to me all the time.