need c&c on first Lacrosse shot(my daughter)

[Twhit.]

First time I have ever turned the dial to TV mode.Plus a brand new 70-200f/4IS.First few non-moving shots.Do the colors look ok and focus?I think f/8-f/11 seems to be the sweet spot of the lens?

[MJPhotos24]

Too many backs, colors/focus looks fine but hard not to at f/8-11. I'd ditch TV mode and go M or AV for sports personally, started out with TV and think it was a mistake learning from the wrong person, but that may just be me as I don't like everything to be in focus and want players to stick out.

[scsurfdad]

I agree with MJ...switch to AV or M. Drop the AV down to 4 to blur the background better and make the kids stand out. Position yourself where you can take shots with their faces in it. Hard to do in LAX because you can't go behind goals. I usually go to about goal position on the spectator side. I also take shots of my kids games and at this age, most ref's have told me just to go on the field and be careful but I have yet to take them up on it. I'm new to lacrosse but having a blast so far, enjoy!

[jruberto]

Hi,

Definitely want to see those faces, and especially action shots. Get right on the sidelines. If you daughter play's offense, and shoots, a great spot is behind the goal, about 10 yards to the right or left of the goal. (of course, out of bounds)

[Dan-o]

Nothing to add to the advice given but am just curios why you posted these two. Did you not get any action?

[robie]

Nothing to add to the advice given but am just curios why you posted these two. Did you not get any action? He has a daughter man, of course he got action! Ha ha, kidding but I think he just wanted opinions on colour.

[pspwa]

Fill the frame...faces....
The colours look good...but sat can easily be pump anytime

[Twhit.]

Two shots , with faces.Still not quite sharp enough .Colors just seem not to pop?
I guess I need more time with my 70-200?

[S.Horton]

Use f/4, shoot tight, crop tighter

[asysin2leads]

Use f/4, shoot tight, crop tighter

Agreed. Also watch your horizons. They both are tilted.

[43 North]

They look a bit yellowish to me but since no one else has mentioned that it could just be me....

[IODebbie]

Here's one of your shots with just a 10 second edit -

1. Straighten horizon
2. Crop tight
3. Sharpen
4. Adjust white balance slightly

http://photos.imageevent.com/pokemom/photoshoots/photographicexcursions/Firstper20lacrossper20gameper20009_edited-1.jpg

You still seem to have a little motion blur on the feet. During daytime, your ISO should be at 400 and your shutter speed no less than 1/500 and preferably 1/1000 - if you set at AV and put your f/stop at 4.0, you should get the necessary shutter speed and you won't see any motion blur. You will also have sharp focus on your subject with more blurred backgrounds.

[MT Stringer]

Unfortunately, your lens is too short for most of the action. Even at 300mm, I have to be patient and wait for the action to come to me. High school boys action is a fast pace and I find it difficult to follow and anticipate what is going to happen next. I usually wind up shooting a lot of images that hit the cutting room floor.

The others have already given good advice.
Good luck and keep shooting.
Mike

[Twhit.]

I am finding out that the lens just will not reach out quite far enough.Defiantly have to let action come to me for sure.Next game I will use AV mode at 400 ISO, f/4.To compare I will try TV mode with SS set at 1/1000 as well.

Thanks for everones input!

[Big K]

You colors are not popping because they are slightly overexposed and you are blowing out the red channel. If you check your RGB histogram you will see how the red channel spreads to the right much more significantly than the blue and green. Losing the reds washes out the yellow and red unis and gives skin a very pale look. It also looks like you tried to compensate for this in PP by increasing the saturation which is what enhanced to the yellow cast from the late afternoon sun.

If you are shooting Av mode late in the afternoon where the sun is hitting the subjects diagonally (half in the sun half in shadow) you might consider - 1/3 EV to keep the camera metering from blowing the red channel when trying to compensate for the heavy shadow areas. This is still problematic and IMO is much easier to address if you are shooting M and understand how to utilize your histograms to make minor adjustments.

Unless you are trying to do panning shots or some other sort of artistic rendering, there really is no place in action sports photography for Tv mode. Manual in most cases is your best bet but if you are going to use a program mode, Av set at f/4 and adjust your ISO as needed to keep your shutter speeds where you need them is a better option. Opinions on this varies from person to person. I try to keep 1/1600 or faster when shooting outdoors especially on nice bright days like you had for these shots.

Don't get discouraged and keep practicing. Everyone had a first game and everyone had problems with their first shots. It is part of the learning process.