College Soccer - more reasons Gavin makes me mad..(large file warning)

Well, actually, let me set the record straight... he doesn't actually make me mad, I do that to myself. It is just you look at his post and you almost want to just chuck you camera and call it a day.. they are just too dang good. He (and others) actually has been a great inspiration and educator this year, but the season is nearly done and I may have shot my last soccer game of the year. I have learned a lot, but have much more to learn on how to shoot this game.

So here is my latest from tonight... please critique at will, but only if your making a suggestion how I might have done it better.

1) The biggest issue with this one is how to get contrast back in without reintroducing ugly shadows...

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That's why I love this forum... There are a lot of excellent shooters here.
While at times you may want to put away your camera in shame... more often than not it gives you the kick in the pants to try to do it better.

Not only do the members inspire, they're often willing to help out.

You've got some nice shots there.
And there's always next season.

There's nowt wrong with these... a great set of images Perhaps drop #6 and #10 and you've got a nice selection. Also bear in mind that not every game presents amazing action opportunities... you can only do your best to make the most of what's put in front of you.

---- Gavin

Mark - Personally, I don't think there's much better you can do under the circumstances -- you needed more light. As for #9, I think the ball being where it is makes the shot and IMO it's the best of the bunch. Good stuff.

Mark, Gavin is always soooo niceeeee not to rub our noses in it, eh? Yes, I would be overjoyed to have shot these but if Gavin shot them I would wonder what the problem was. He always seems to be in the exact right spot at the right time and I never am. It is the case that you got a couple that could pass for Gmen stuff, which is more than I expect from me!

Thanks Dwight, Jerry Waldograce and Gavin. Yeah - 6 looked better at midnight last night, funny how that happends. Gavin still has set a very high bar - but I am glad it is out there. The rust is slowly shaking off... technically I am feeling better with squeezing out what ever light is there, timing has gone from none-existant to okay but still not "gavinesque", PS skills are getting better but sometimes I still manage mess up or spend time on ones I shouldn't.

In the end, I would have no problem recommending the 120-300 sigma as a football\futball\socce​r shooting lens. I still need to try a Mk II, the 20D shutter is responsive enough, light capture is just fine, but focus tracking is still just there... and I need to see if it is me or the camera. I don't remember having as many missfocused shots with the EOS 3, and I would have remembered as each one of those cost me real money.

Thanks again all for your tutoring.... now were pretty much off to winter sports... one more week of fall sports on the schedule.

Okay - so this is not my last game I will shoot - but I promise this will be the last I post. I am shooting 5 games in the next 24 hours and my head is spinning because of it. If you have any suggestions on how to deal with this... let me know in this thread ...

http://www.photography​-on-the.net …d.php?p=905340#​post905340