Looking for advise "Soccer Photo"

[R1_Ridah]

Hello all,

I'm looking for some advise as to how I can improve my photos.

This picture was taken with my 30D, 70-200 2.8 IS. Mode selected was aperture priority @ 2.8, ISO 200-400 range. I forgot specifically what ISO I had selected but recall it was around that range.

New to the world of DSLR so any suggestions would be great.

Critique away, even if you think it's crap please say so. However, please say why? thanks.

http://images.familyalbum008.multiply.com/image/1/photos/102/1200x1200/5/DPP-0014.JPG?et=bS4IzJLriz8wJ0YNCqCt9A&nmid=288138489

http://images.familyalbum008.multiply.com/image/1/photos/102/1200x1200/2/DPP-0029.JPG?et=U8J1EmHTRAuKHIVXlcTOBQ&nmid=288138489

[jbhswim]

#1. needs a facial expression. seeing their back does nothing.

#2 is alright, got a harsh shadow on his face.

[R1_Ridah]

#1. needs a facial expression. seeing their back does nothing.

#2 is alright, got a harsh shadow on his face.


#1 - ahhh....so true. See, these are the things I have to remember. Capture facial expressions as this creates a story with the picture, correct.

Thanks for commenting.

[jbhswim]

yep, you got it! when they are looking right at you or in your general direction..thats the best/

[snyderman]

tack sharp and nice DOF on both. Good exposures as well, even though the 2nd is a bit blown out. Sometimes there isn't much you can do given the time of day the opportunity provides. And it's funny, when you first start shooting sports, it's totally OK to work on focus and exposure shooting the backs of the players. You apparently have that part down well.

That said, look at the available light and setup in a shooting spot where it's going to work out best to get faces. Concentrate on situating yourself so that the action is coming TOWARD you and not running away from you.

dave

[MT Stringer]

Ball, face and action. That's the key. I think you got it now. So go shoot...a lot!
Soccer is hard for me to shoot because the players are so unpredictable. I also get lots of backs! :-(

If you are lucky enough to shoot in the afternoon, position yourself so the sun is at your back. That will help light up some of the faces.
Good luck.
MIke

[Sibil]

Like everyone said, face/ball/action/background. No.2 is OK. If you were shooting JPEG, I would dial down the contrast in that lighting environment. I don't know if 30D offers that feature, but 40D has it called Picture Style.

From my experience, shooting Youth soccer has its unique challenges, IMHO. Here they are:
1. Players often handle the ball with their eyes glued on the ball. At younger age, they haven't learned how to handle the ball without constantly looking down. That presents a challenge on capturing facial expressions. Shooting from as low a position as possible helps there. For younger kids, you almost have to lay on the ground, but that makes it very difficult to change positions quickly.
2. Players chace the ball in groups. There is seldom separation of 2-3 players in an action. So, the opportunity in getting an isolated action shot with only 2-3 players in the frame is rare, and when that happens, with my luck, it is often way away from me.
3. Youth soccer is played in smaller fields so the ability to isolate players from the background is also challenging. Of course those who have the luxury of shooting with 2.8 lenses stand a much better chance, but still, when the distance between the player and the sideline is not much, I am sure the 2.8 lenses struggle to give one the much desired blurry background. Shooting when the action is closer to you than the background helps somewhat to compensate for the lack of a wider lens to give a blurry background.
4. If you are shooting your kid only, then the opportunity to get a great shot considering face/ball/action/background is rather rare. You just need to practice and position yourself such that when that opportunity presents itself, you are ready to snap. Understanding the game and the position your kid is assigned to play helps with deciding where to park yourself. This is in addition to where the sun is and angles where you get the cleanest backgrounds.
Speaking of sun, since I find myself juggling all these considerations, I hope for overcast days because that takes out the 'sun factor' giving me much more latitude in finding a good shooting position.
Happy shooting :)

[ctx4488]

Hi, im just starting too and find it hard to capture there faces. I find setting up 10-20 meters left facing from behind the goal. Most players are right footed so tend to come to more to the right your left giving you more chance of a better view.

[MarkAnthonyPhotography]

sports are tough! You have to really know the sport your shooting to be in the right spots to get the shots. My daughter just started playing soccer and it took me a few games to realize where to be to get the "money" shots. You want to make sure you got face, action and ball all in shot. Keep it up! Your exposure looks good, just watch for the direction of the light and keep BOTH eyes open!! :)