First bit of sports photography tomorrow.

T

TomLoraso

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Hi guys.

I play for a North West counties football team in Staffordshire. Been injured for a few weeks now and likely to be out for at least another month.

I currently work as a photographer full time. Being a massive sports fan I can't really believe I've never tried to get into sports photography. I've always preferred to try and play football instead of watch.

Sitting on the sidelines is driving me crazy at the moment. My photography is Studio & Weddings. Only really enjoy the wedding side of it if I'm honest, much prefer to be out and about taking photos.

So my team are playing tomorrow and I'm just trying to make best use of the kit I have already.

Bodies :
Eos 1ds mkiii
Eos 5d mkii
Eos 7d

Lens:
Canon 70-200mm f2.8 (NON IS)
Canon 24-70mm f2.8
Canon 24-105mm
Canon 10-22mm EFS

Im thinking with the limitations of the 200mm, I may be best using the 7D for a bit more reach?

How does this sound :

1/500 shutter minimum?
Raw or Jpeg?
Stick it on AV @ f2.8
ISO to keep shutter high

Anything I'm missing?
 
Hi Tom. Welcome to the forum.
The 70-200mm on the the 7D sounds the best bet. Settings will depend on how good the lights are, its getting dark by 3pm already! My strategy at this time of year is f2.8, a SS of 1/640 or higher and an iso of 1000 or so to get a suitable exposure. As the light drops off, up the iso, drop the ss. I usually end up with iso 3200 and a ss of 1/320 at f2.8. Not perfect, but go with what you get. Try and get good shots in the first half! You'll need AI servo and centre point focus.
Have fun.
 
I think the settings are ok Tom, I'd just select JPG unless its critical, then I'd probably select RAW so I could have better latitude when editing after the game. Have a read of the other threads in the Talk Sports section, paying attention to horizons, backgrounds and getting down as low as you can to shoot. Don't shoot the backs of players unless its something special. With the injury you wont be chasing the action so you wont have to worry about that.

Dont forget to post a couple in the sports section after.

Take your waterproofs !
 
Thanks for the advice guys!

I am partial to Lightroom and shooting in RAW. Is there any reason JPEGS seem to be the norm around here?

Shoot from low down as in on a stool or something?

If you had to choose a spot on the pitch to stand where would it be? Like you say, I don't really fancy moving around too much quickly with my ankle so I'd prefer to just pick a spot and change at half time.

Any inspirational portfolios for me to have a look at?

Seems like a whole different ball game than what I'm used to in controlled environments and usually still subjects.
 
With the 70-200 at your disposal, my choice would be to sit halfway between the goal and the corner flag at the end where your preferred team is attacking. Swap over at half time if you want, or if the other team are banging them in, stay at that end.

Everyone loves a moment where the goal is scored or seeing the players celebrate.

Get your self a fishing stool that collapses or something of that sort. Light but sturdy enough

Being a player, I'm sure you won't have any problems reading the game, so try and anticipate where the ball is likely to go and be there ahead of it. If you find yourself chasing the game, you won't get the shot.

Sounds easy doesn't it :D.

Good luck and have fun. And don't forget to post some shots
 
Probably best if I stand by our goal then as we are bottom of the league!! Haha

I feel like I'm just starting out in photography, a fresh challenge. Really looking forward to it.

Think I've got some kind of camping stool actually, ill make use of that.

Ill post the, up in critique as long as they aren't a total embarrassment! Just hope it doesn't rain or ill be knackered with the 7D.
 
I am partial to Lightroom and shooting in RAW. Is there any reason JPEGS seem to be the norm around here?
Click to expand...

I dont like using RAW as my FPS drops to 2/3 rather than 8. feels like a bad trade off from my POV. but maybe if you have a better camera (i own d300) then this might not be such a dramatic drop in fps.
 
Oh right ok. I see what difference it makes in my cameras.

Game was called off today. Part of me was glad as it means another game I haven't missed through injury! Next game is a week today as Boxing Day is pretty much guaranteed to be called off!
 
on the 7D the buffer never seems to fill in JPG
not the same in RAW
I've taken amateur rugby shots and took a fishing stool with me...the damn legs sank straight into the ground with my 14stone working upon them! all my photos were wonky :p
 
yeah the tripod style stools aren't the best for grass, usually end up Sat much lower than start of the game
 
That's the kind scales! I've also got the tripod style and always sink down during matches! And it's tiny to start with!!
 
Mwah, what you got me for Xmas mate. Hope it's a set of scales you use ;0) x
 
Yes mate, got you some but i got you the set up from the ones i use, mine stop at 20 stone, youre start at 20 stone

You doing the Wid v Wire game for Dave on Boxing Day
 
The 7D buffer will hold ~130 photos in large JPEG fine or about 25 in RAW.
 
depending how fast your CF card is once that buffer is full then it can stay full for a while :P
 
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