Sports Photography - Girls High School School Soccer

[SRPHOTO]

A couple days ago my high school had a Girls Soccer Playoff game.


i was able to capture some pretty nice shots


i would love some feedback on this photo from that day, thanks! [:)]






http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3586/3311053310_010e593645.jpg

[Alan]

/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer.Components.UserFiles/00.00.00.25.34/soccer.jpg


Looks like you caught the action!


I would straighten the image so that the fence line is level.

[Keith B]

Try a wider aperture too. It will blur out the background some and help your subject pop.

[SRPHOTO]

im kind of experimenting right now, im trying to get the sharpest image possible.

[clemmb]

Camera?


Lense?


f-stop, shutter, iso, etc...?

[SRPHOTO]

Rebel XSi


Canon EF 75-300 f/4-5.6


F/8


Shutter: 1/1250

[Keith B]

im kind of experimenting right now, im trying to get the sharpest image possible.










<div>


Check out Sports Illustrated website. Check out the images there.


You'll see what I'm talking about.
</div>

[SRPHOTO]

yea i know what you are talking about.... my lens doesnt give that kind of depth of field at maximum focal length the f number is at 5.6

[HiFiGuy1]

SRPHOTO,


If you used the available f/5.6 at your lens' maximum focal length, which you didn't mention, it would start to give a little background blur, and would either allow you to drop your ISO in half for the same shutter speed, or halve your shutter speed for the same ISO (assuming it is already at 100, for example). It would be worthwhile to experiment with it, anyway. If you didn't use your max focal length, then you may be able to open up to f/4 or f/4.5, which would be even better.

[Dallasphotog]

I think the image looks fine...and now you know how the addiction starts.


If you really want spectaculat photos, start looking at the Cannon "L" series glass. I use the EF70-200mm F/2.8 L IS USM lens for a lot of high school sports as well as the EF300mm F/2.8L IS USM. The large aperture of these lens will help you run fast shutter speeds and blur backgrounds.


Also consider a circular polarizing filter. I deal with a lot of haze in the DFW area and the CPF really helps the saturation of the image.

[SRPHOTO]

yea im definently looking into L series but right now i dont have the money to purchase a 70-200 f2.8 :[

[Jon Ruyle]

I think the image looks fine...and now you know how the addiction starts.


I agree. The shot catches the action very nicely. And, if SRPHOTO *really* wanted the best background blur available, he/she would have to plunk down $7000 or whatever for a 400mm f/2.8 or a 200mm f/2.

[Colin]

In that context, a 70-200 f/2.8 seems downright economical :)


Hey, Refurbished 5D at adorama for like $1,400 or so... Doesn't have frame rate, but get the more shallow depth of field.


But, yeah, sickness.... :)

[Ehcalum]

It hasnt been mentioned yet, but try vertical shots to further isloate the background.

[dmckinny]

SRPHOTO,


I just started shooting sports this year. I'm using a 30D and a 70-200 F4 L. This shot was one of my first, shot with Aperture priority at f4, iso 100, 1/800 shutter speed. While my lens is an 'L' it is only slightly more expensive than yours. The 2.8 version would be great, if I could convince my wife to let me spend the money ;-)


Bottom line, open up the aperture as much as you can, then trade ISO for shutter speed until you run out of room.


[View:http://community.the-digital-picture.com/themes/hawaii/utility/
<table style="width: auto;"]
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>From Kansas Rush Fall 2008 (http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/PgcVPNtQLa-lJS_cKjAsxg?authkey=Gv1sRgCKXos8X7ppePIQ&amp;feat=embe dwebsite]http://lh5.ggpht.com/_mr7kL5uANCo/SZodEiwkQrI/AAAAAAAAAE0/_sGpwME2AoU/s800/20080830_0012_Carly_save.jpg</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right)</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>


]

[dmckinny]

Here is one more in portrait orientation, which is how I normally try to shoot. Face, Ball, Action, Contact, in any order you choose.






<table style="width: auto;"]
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>From Kansas Rush Fall 2008 (http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/3HV0mgofrBiBy3kdKlBPlQ?authkey=Gv1sRgCKXos8X7ppePI Q&amp;feat=embedwebsite]http://lh4.ggpht.com/_mr7kL5uANCo/SZodsQ_0dcI/AAAAAAAAAIg/eZYhMZfs2OI/s800/2008%2010%2004_0621_web.jpg</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right)</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

[Mike Coulter]

I agree with others who posted that you should try and open up the aperature as wide as possible. I shoot a lot of sports with my EF 100-400mm f/4.5/5.6 IS lens. Most of what I shoot are soccer games and normally the backgrounds are distracting like the one in the shot above. Often there is a chain link fence or metal bleachers that you should take out of the shot. I was once told by a pro sports photographer that your paying for that aperture, so open it as wide as you can for these types of shots. You want the eye to be drawn to the subject and away from the background.





I would also crop in a little tigher to frame the subject matter.

[SRPHOTO]

Definitely thanks for all the feedback i would still like some more :]


Today i am going to my school's lacrosse tournament where I will be shooting three games. I will practice all these tips you guys are giving me!

[SRPHOTO]

here is a shot...


i think it looks a little better but still i need to upgrade to a 2.8 lens like the 70-200 L 5.0-5.6 range doesnt cut it for background blur..





&lt;http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3126/3324980156_c2092b00ee.jpg&gt;

[Colin]

Just have some friends run behind them with sheets...

[Mike Coulter]

Often what I try to do for sports photography is to position myself such that my shot has a nice background. Maybe there are trees or a grass berm in the background. This isn't always possible since lighting (sun) and access often determine where I can position myself. Fortunately in most sports, the team switch sides at half-time so I can make it work on one of the halves. A nice background may be a good compromise for the bokeh if you can't open up the lens.


It's a good shot though.


-mike