Corner Kicks

The Washington High School Patriots soccer team my son plays for traveled 4-1/2 hours to Wheeling, WV to take on the Wheeling Park Patriots - ranked #1 in the state - this past weekend. I think we surprised them by going up 2-0 within the first 20 minutes. Unfortunately we couldn't hold the lead and lost 4-3, but our guys played a great game! Here are a few shots of corner kicks that I'm pretty proud of getting. A quick question for the other photographers here: when shooting corner kicks, where do you like to set up and try to capture the action? Thanks.

1.

I'd set up in the casino back there, just kidding.
Your position looks like a reasonable area to get some action. I would crop in much more seeing how you were already at 200mm. Also crop to vertical especially in the second shot. See how everyone is standing around with the best view in the place except for 15, 29 and the keeper? crop out the rest of the spectators.

i agree on the tigher cropping. nice job. too bad you can see all the faces where the action is in #3

Maybe its the angle, but in picture 3, No. 8 is getting some serious air.

Thanks guys. I too agree about the cropping tighter - I guess I wasn't sure if the net needed to be in the picture, as well. I was contemplating not keeping #3 because of not seeing their faces, but I loved the way the keeper was reaching up and over to deflect the ball.

dankopp, it's funny that you mentioned number 8 in that picture. Actually number 15 is the high jumper on that team. He holds the state record for the high jump at 7ft. - 1/4in. I have a couple other pictures where he is going up for a header and he's a good 2 feet higher than anyone else that is attempting to go up with him.

Here's #2 cropped vertical.

Corners can be a nightmare. Either by the corner flag or by the 18 yard box. Sometimes from the sideline, never can tell where the best place will be! #1 is good for me, shame about the cluttered background and the harsh sunlight.

Hannya wrote in post #13233911
Corners can be a nightmare. Either by the corner flag or by the 18 yard box. Sometimes from the sideline, never can tell where the best place will be! #1 is good for me, shame about the cluttered background and the harsh sunlight.

Excellent advice. Thank you! The other end of the field was slightly better in the background department - it had a bank of pine trees - but not many corner kicks were taken on that end. The game was played at 12:30, so lighting was definitely a factor. That brings up another question. With harsh sunlight - what metering would work best? Evaluative or spot?

mrwilt wrote in post #13233985
Excellent advice. Thank you! The other end of the field was slightly better in the background department - it had a bank of pine trees - but not many corner kicks were taken on that end. The game was played at 12:30, so lighting was definitely a factor. That brings up another question. With harsh sunlight - what metering would work best? Evaluative or spot?

I wish I had the answer! I use evaluative and check my shots as I go and adjust exposure. I usually meter off the pitch to start with. My team's pitch is either shooting into the sun at one end (so the players faces are in shadow) or a mixture of bright light and deep shadow at the other as matches here start ar 3pm just as the sun is beginning to go down! Shadow/highlight is my friend in these conditions! Always hope for overcast match days!

Nice set, I would agree across the field of cropping much tighter. Also shoot wide open as it will help with some of the background blur. I've been told from other sport photographer to meter off the players face, off the pitch, or off the darker uniform. I have found as a reference until I learn the stadium lighting the pitch works pretty well.

Awesome! Thanks guys. Our team just played tonight and have another night game on Thursday, but they play during the day on Saturday. If it turns out real sunny, then I'll try metering off the pitch.