Hi All,
I'm thinking about shooting some rugby for my college assignment. I've just been gaging to do some sports but I don't know if I would have enough light to be able to use my 50-500 at f5.6 with my film body, I have my 70-200mm at f2.8 but I feel that would be a bit short even then I would have to use 400 iso film. I'm also a bit worried about where the best place would be to sit?
Ally,
Lots of things to consider here.
At the moment, sadly, unless you get a bright day, I cant see 5.6 cutting it mate. I am going up to 1600 of an afternoon just to get decent speeds and thats at 2.8. Your 70 - 200 would be the best bet and 200 would be fine, albeit 'you' will need to be closer to the action. Be careful, be quick and make sure the touch ref and you dont collide.
Regards to actually shooting the sport, generally, there are some rules of thumb for sport which are aside from running, are;
Always try and shoot from waste level so that the waist is level with the horizon. Not always possible but that scenario lends itself to the image.
You 'should' always focus on the face, which generally means putting the camera in portrait mode. Loosing the face can make a great shoot average and render it useless. (done it many times)
I also recommend a monopod and using the lens on the said monopod with the lens collar so you can twist the lens where possible.
With reference to seating. Well,
most people sit behind the posts as the game ebbs and flows that way. The pro games that I cover are very particular about the seating as you are not allowed to block the sponsorship hoardings, so it is tricky. Now, I generally sit on the side line about ten foot up the pitch when covering pro spec games. Yesterday I simply moved around the pitch. One problem is that rugby and league is a game of chess in that the team moving the ball forward will shift the ball left and right - one minute you are in an ideal position then the ball has gone to the other side of the pitch and you miss a try.
Nothing you can do about that though, rough with the smooth.
As you will be shooting local rugby, on the day walk around the pitch. Look at your angles and your backgrounds. Ideally shoot away from anything that will lower the perception of your images such as buildings, outhouses etc. If there are trees/woods shoot that way as @ 2.8 you can get some lovely bokeh and isolate the players.
I hope this helps,my other advice is to get out there and shoot.
Finally, shoot tight, crop tighter.
D/P.
He has to be the best person for advice on this subject.