Shooting position

[jay.johnsonau]

Ive been shooting rugby league for the last few weeks and while i am pretty happy
with what im getting I am wondering if I am in the right spot

below is the 3 fields i take pics on I am represented by an X
and the big yellow cirlce is the sun
should I be shooting with the sun behind me at all times ?

JJ

[Naturalist]

I would try to have the sun behind me or off to one side as much as possible.

[BigStig]

I think you should try all positions. Move around. Some times you can get some great shots shooting towards the sun if the players fill the frame because you get awsome rim lighting efect around them.
Also try moving up the sidelines a bit also to get some variety in your shots.
This being said I have only shot one rugby match and my shots we not that great. I have shot more soccer.

[usukshooter]

Try shooting from the sidelines, you seem to be shooting only on the ends. While that's great for getting try scores, I find a lot of great angles for action on the sides too. I love getting shots of someone practically throwing the ball straight at the camera which only really happens when your on the sidelines. Like these two:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/robinmc...7624089400017/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/robinmc...7624089400017/

I also try to keep in mind my background - although mostly blurred, an empty stand isn't ideal so I try to position myself opposite to the most crowded stand.

[asysin2leads]

I've seen several shoot sports w/ backlighting and it's not my cup of tea. I would rather have the sun at my back or at 90 degrees. Each person has their "style" and I would rather not blow out the background if I can help it.

[jay.johnsonau]

I went along the side lines a little more this week ... unfortunatley the team i was taking pics of (my sons side) losed 50-0 so there wasn't alot to shoot ... I find that the shots im getting are better focused now that I have a mono pod ... but find the monopod slows me down

[usukshooter]

Originally Posted by asysin2leads

I've seen several shoot sports w/ backlighting and it's not my cup of tea. I would rather have the sun at my back or at 90 degrees. Each person has their "style" and I would rather not blow out the background if I can help it.

Keep in mind, sometimes photographers don't have much choice. In professional sports, some bigger stadiums restrict the area where photographers can shoot from and they don't care if that means you're shooting into the sun.

Also, sometimes, even if you're shooting with your back to the sun, half the field can be in shade if the stands behind you are blocking it. This only happens as the sun goes down during evening games but it means you can wind up with backlighting even if you're not shooting into the sun.

[Biffbradford]

You can shoot into the sun, even without a flash. Turn the contrast down, use evaluative metering, and zoom in tight. If you allow too much of the background to overpower your metering, then you'll never see their faces.

[asysin2leads]

Originally Posted by usukshooter

Keep in mind, sometimes photographers don't have much choice. In professional sports, some bigger stadiums restrict the area where photographers can shoot from and they don't care if that means you're shooting into the sun.

Also, sometimes, even if you're shooting with your back to the sun, half the field can be in shade if the stands behind you are blocking it. This only happens as the sun goes down during evening games but it means you can wind up with backlighting even if you're not shooting into the sun.

You are correct. However, he was not asking about shooting in a pro stadium. I was giving him my personal preference as to where to shoot. I do have to shoot soccer into the sun because of field placement. Sometimes it can't be avoided. If I am in control of where I shoot from, I prefer the sun at my back or at 90°.