McMurray University Football

This past Saturday I attended my first college football game in about 10 years. I was able to get a few shots in, but due to the weather being in the mid 90s and a little 2 year old didn't last more than a quarter. All shots where taken with my 50D and 70-300 F4-5.6 IS USM from half way up the bleachers. So if you guys wouldn't mind letting me know what you think, just keep in mind it's been 10 years since shooting a football game. The only editing I've done is cropping. On a side note I don't like that the background is in such good focus I think it takes the attention away from where it should be, can this be changed but running at a larger F stop like F8/F9 maybe?

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You want to shoot as wide open as possible. F/8 or F/9 is way too narrow.

so i should be going the other direction say F4/F5.6

sorry for the silly questions, it's just been years since i picked up a camera and lets just say the flame has once again been lit, lucky for me i have 3 colleges and 4 or 5 high schools all of which play at the same 2 stadiums, sounds like it's going to be busy season for me

murtaugh wrote in post #13179441
so i should be going the other direction say F4/F5.6

sorry for the silly questions, it's just been years since i picked up a camera and lets just say the flame has once again been lit, lucky for me i have 3 colleges and 4 or 5 high schools all of which play at the same 2 stadiums, sounds like it's going to be busy season for me

Assuming you are shooting with your 70-300 4-5.6. So yes wide open between 4 and 5.6 depending what FL you are at with that lens. You are far enough away that your DOF will be sufficient at 4 and 5.6.

I realize you are just shooting for fun, but those are some strange crops.

dwarrenr wrote in post #13181866
Assuming you are shooting with your 70-300 4-5.6. So yes wide open between 4 and 5.6 depending what FL you are at with that lens. You are far enough away that your DOF will be sufficient at 4 and 5.6.

I realize you are just shooting for fun, but those are some strange crops.

I've really never messed with the digital photos alot so my expierence PP is very little. I'm used to being in a dark room where i feel i have more control.

when it comes to the cropping is there something i should be looking for or some special ratio i should be trying for.

the next game i go to i will probably be by myself and be able to move around more and find a better spot since most of the area is open since they it's a small school with about 1,700 students or so

murtaugh wrote in post #13181979
I've really never messed with the digital photos alot so my expierence PP is very little. I'm used to being in a dark room where i feel i have more control.

when it comes to the cropping is there something i should be looking for or some special ratio i should be trying for.

the next game i go to i will probably be by myself and be able to move around more and find a better spot since most of the area is open since they it's a small school with about 1,700 students or so

I hear ya. It's a big learning curve. I do miss the dark room days...even if all I was able to shoot was B&W. LOL

Well I use a custom crop ratio 1.6 x 2.166 which is only due to the fact I submit to MaxPreps and that is what they require. I think the closest crop ratio to that is maybe an 8-1/2 x 11. Obviously crop to the size you want to print, but for me I never know what my print size will be.

I guess the same applies as with any ball sport: get a lower viewpoint, make your horizons level, crop to the action, try and get the action coming towards you. A good start, take the opportunity to get more practise. I'd venture, having had a quick look at your sports pictures, that you need to up the shutter speed (with a 4.5-5.6 you're going to have to up the ISO in poor light to achieve that) and sort the horizons out.

Hannya wrote in post #13182193
I guess the same applies as with any ball sport: get a lower viewpoint, make your horizons level, crop to the action, try and get the action coming towards you. A good start, take the opportunity to get more practise. I'd venture, having had a quick look at your sports pictures, that you need to up the shutter speed (with a 4.5-5.6 you're going to have to up the ISO in poor light to achieve that) and sort the horizons out.

All true...but I think he's shooting from the stands and not on the field.

murtaugh

Moderator's Note: Can you link the images after the first 2 because only 2 attached are allowed. You can link the other 6, but I will have to delete them if you don't link them.

Hannya wrote in post #13182193
...and sort the horizons out.

Of course the best way to to do this is when the picture is taken, which I'm sure you know, but since you're just getting into digital, I thought it might be helpful to remind you that you can do this in post processing with your editing software as well, prior to cropping. This may be rudimentary and seem condescending, but that is not my intent, just mentioning it in case you weren't aware that you could do this. I'm barely more than a novice myself with Photoshop.

By the way, my daughter was an intern coach for the women's basketball at McMurray while she was finishing up at Hardin Simmons. The women's bball coach at HS was very upset when she saw my daughter over on the McMurray bench.