More HS Track- Putting lessons to use?

A few weeks ago, I posted some track pictures on the site and received some excellent criticism about using a shallower depth of field and cleaning up the backgrounds. I had another chance recently, and think these shots are an improvement..

I am still open to any C&C though, good or bad. Although criticism can sting, it is the only way to improve. Thanks to those who helped out before- particularly namasste.

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Very nice improvement. Thumbs up!

Faces, focus, action and you got low. The backgrounds are better but still a little busy. Unfortunately, that is unavoidable in some venues. You do the best you can. I see by the bokeh that you are using larger apertures than before. Good.

#1 is a sweet shot. Can you crop it tighter?

#4 The fence and fans make the background busy. Could you have angled the shot toward the left or was that backdrop worse?

Don't be afraid to post the images larger. Your stuff is good enough to view 1024 x 1024. Let's see all that detail.

Again, nice job.

Phil

Thanks- Considering your work, I view your compliments as high praise. As to your questions-

Crop #1 tighter? Yes. I should have.

Change the angle on #4- You are exactly right about the background- out of the frame on the left is a long, long line of athletes waiting to jump. I shot this angle intentionally to avoid them in the frame.

Re larger sizes- I'd love to. To keep this simple, I have linked these shots from my smugmug site, where they are available for sale. I have the site set up to display/link a "Medium" size at best, to prevent folks from accessing a copy large enough to make prints. Next time, I will figure out a way to post larger ones here.

Thanks again for the kind words.

Steve

1 & 3 are nailed. Not a track shooter here, but those are the type of shots parents would instantly buy. Faces, action, determination, competitive spirit. Nice job! I'd say HUGE improvement.

One thing: Did you happen to shoot in bursts of 3-4 shots on something like #4 (long jumper)? Sometimes the AF doesn't pick up right away, but mashing down on that * button (I hope you have focus assigned there!) might net 2 or 3 out of 4 with good focus. Just an idea for you.

dave

Dave- this is going to turn into a whole new discussion, but its one I'd like to have-

I believe I am in a small minority that actually uses the AI Autofocus on the 40D- from what I understand, it is supposed to act like one shot, unless the subject is moving, then it acts like AI Servo. I know most sports shooters will use AI Servo, but I have some issues with that- notably that the shutter is permitted to open before focus lock is achieved- as a result, the first shot of a burst is often out of focus. Since my first shot is usually my best, this was making me unhappy. Secondly, I will occasionally lock focus and recompose- AI Servo seems to constantly refocus and I lose that ability.

To the point though- the * button.....

I tried it- I don't get it. What is the difference between that and pressing the shutter 1/2way? I couldn't tell any difference at all, and with the * button enabled, I was pressing 2 buttons instead of 1- where's the benefit?

As I do it now, I do shoot the jumpers in a burst. Of about 4-5 shots, I usually find that #3 is blurred- there seems to be an issue in that part of the process where the equipment is not keeping up with the action. The others are usually well focused though.

So convince me, please- Why do I want to use the * button? What's in it for me?

I mean this in a respectful way- I really do want to know.

Thanks-

Steve

They look pretty good to me! I agree with you on the * button, but mostly because it's a pain to reach on the battery grip. I was all over it for a while.

sfinkernagel wrote in post #10222962
Dave- this is going to turn into a whole new discussion, but its one I'd like to have-

I believe I am in a small minority that actually uses the AI Autofocus on the 40D- from what I understand, it is supposed to act like one shot, unless the subject is moving, then it acts like AI Servo. I know most sports shooters will use AI Servo, but I have some issues with that- notably that the shutter is permitted to open before focus lock is achieved- as a result, the first shot of a burst is often out of focus. Since my first shot is usually my best, this was making me unhappy. Secondly, I will occasionally lock focus and recompose- AI Servo seems to constantly refocus and I lose that ability.

To the point though- the * button.....

I tried it- I don't get it. What is the difference between that and pressing the shutter 1/2way? I couldn't tell any difference at all, and with the * button enabled, I was pressing 2 buttons instead of 1- where's the benefit?

As I do it now, I do shoot the jumpers in a burst. Of about 4-5 shots, I usually find that #3 is blurred- there seems to be an issue in that part of the process where the equipment is not keeping up with the action. The others are usually well focused though.

So convince me, please- Why do I want to use the * button? What's in it for me?

I mean this in a respectful way- I really do want to know.

Thanks-

Steve

Hi Steve:

You're going to ultimately do what works best for you and you'll certainly know from the results you see what is right. Good points of discussion.

I may try the AI Autofocus on the 7D which has been said to be horrible, but honestly haven't given it a shot.

The * button. The only true advantage I see to this is being able to use it to continuously focus AND have the shutter already half way down allowing me to be just a tad quicker on the draw, so to speak. Necessary? Nope. Works for some, others maybe not.

Your shots are obviously getting much better very quickly. You're finding your way and that's great! Keep up the good work.

dave

Thanks Dave-

If I understand correctly, the 7d can be set up to avoid one of the issues I mentioned about AI servo- I think you can program things so that the focus locks before the shutter opens. That would prevent the first blurry shot problem that I spoke of, but not the focus/recompose issue that I noted.

I did shoot some volleyball in AI servo this week- I think the true adjustment needs to be in me, the camera operator- If I know what to expect from the mechanism, I can adjust my shooting. Using the center point, I just need to keep the subject in my sights constantly, and not let up on whatever button I am using to focus.

Thanks for the clarification- I appreciate it.

Steve

This is my second season shooting Track and Field, and I know how tough it can be at times, especially with all the activity that seems to be going on in the backround of the event I'm trying to shoot...so with that said, I think you did an awesome job here with your DOF trying to eliminate that. I still need work in that area...but hopefully I'll continue to improve.

Again...nice job.

I am just trying something here- wanted to see if this will post the photos in the large (1024) size....