My third football match

A few weeks ago I posted some pictures of my first football match and got some really useful replies. These are some I got earlier this week. I was pretty pleased with them, but any C&C would be very welcome.

1.

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …rkshiresports/6​076410848/

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …rkshiresports/6​076412044/

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …rkshiresports/6​076411550/

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …rkshiresports/6​076412730/

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …rkshiresports/6​075876499/

good shots.. however traditionally sport shots like these are shot wit a shallow DOF like 2.8 aperature priority this blurs out the background focusing the attention on the players.... your choice

Thanks Bryan. These were done at f/4, but a 70-200 2.8 is definately next on the list...when the wallet allows that is!

awww yes the 70 -200. the holy grail of great equip. im saving to replace mine with the IS II cant wait 2400 ouch

Good shots.

David

Well done. Good lighting considering the situation.

I shoot the local rugby club at many of their home games (former player). The maximum width of a rugby pitch is 70m. If I am shooting across the pitch that equals 50-70m. The f4 @ 200mm focal length with focusing @ 50m gives a DOF of approx. 9m. That is a wide enough DOF to have sidelines and spectators in good focus. This especially happens at small events where spectators can stand right on the touchline.

I've had to either position myself so there is a different backdrop or work on taking pics closer to me. The same f4 @ 200mm focal length with focusing @ 10m has a DOF of <.5m. A much tighter band.

When they are farther away or on the other side of the pitch, just enjoy the game. When they get closer, get your camera ready.

I shoot local high-school sports and soccer is tough. Seems like your a mile away from the action or the ball is coming right at your camera when your changing lenses. I like these and the whole template of having the players in focus and everything else out looks cool but your shots look cool too. When it comes to action I kind of use a pyramid of descending qualities. First is it in focus, no motion blur and good stoppage of the action? Next I crop out the garbage and get as tight on the action as i can without leaving out part of the story. If part of the story (ball, eyes, face, jersey number etc.) are necessary elements to the story and are not in the photo I toss it. After that everything else is a gift because if you have these elements you already have a pretty good shot.

I'm impressed - these are pretty nice shots considering the ISO you were using. Those last couple were at 12800? They also seem to be free of motion blur, even at 1/500.

Generally I just like a tighter crop. I agree with Camk35's pyramid of qualities with more emphasis on recognizable faces from at least one player, the ball in the frame, and action obviously taking place.

Thanks for the comments. That’s really useful. I often wondered how far the DOF increased by focussing from further away. I’m hoping to trade in the f/4 for a 2.8 (maybe the Sigma OS, or non OS) in the next few months for the increased speed, but also to help with the scruffy backgrounds, so hopefully 2.8 will help with that.


Yep, the last two were at 12800 and they are cropped as well. This was the first time I’d pushed the ISO up that high (the 7d is a new purchase) and had to do a bit of tidying up in Lightroom, but generally I was really impressed with how it coped.

Thanks again!

Curiousanderson wrote in post #13074405
Thanks for the comments. That’s really useful. I often wondered how far the DOF increased by focussing from further away. I’m hoping to trade in the f/4 for a 2.8 (maybe the Sigma OS, or non OS) in the next few months for the increased speed, but also to help with the scruffy backgrounds, so hopefully 2.8 will help with that.


Yep, the last two were at 12800 and they are cropped as well. This was the first time I’d pushed the ISO up that high (the 7d is a new purchase) and had to do a bit of tidying up in Lightroom, but generally I was really impressed with how it coped.

Thanks again!

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