Stay put or move?

[Silver Simon]

When shooting local rugby or football I tend to stay put in one place for the first half and change ends for the second. More than likely just have the two positions for the whole match.

The logic being that I'll be in the right place for at least some good shots.

Is this the best way or is moving say, every 10 minutes up and down the line, behind the goals etc a better way?

Obviously with total regard to permissions and supporter's views.

 

[Photodiva]

For local football matches, I usually start behind the goal line, sometimes move to the 18yd box on the side line, occasionally go to the half-way line. I don't move constantly. There's no point in trying to 'chase the game'. Your shots will depend on (1) which team you might be shooting 'for', and (2) particular players you want to snap.
Rugby seems to be a different ball game (literally) in that most photographers I've seen tend to move up and down the side line depending on which way the action goes. Instinct tells me to shoot from behind the goal line, but unlike football they can 'score' a try from any point along that line, not just in front of the goal, so its a bit hit and miss. They can also score from penalties, so may not even get near the goal line. I think that may be why photographers tend to prowl the side line. I'm sure the Pro's on here may do it differently, but higher level matches have more restrictions on where you can shoot from, and of course, Pro's have better equipment - longer lenses!

 

[Silver Simon]

Thanks. Regarding lenses I used my Sigma 150 - 500 on Saturday for rugby and I really struggled with the light. It was fine when the play was up to say 30 metres away but further than that and the i q dropped dramatically.

 

[Photodiva]

Well, at f5.0-f6.3 you haven't got much leeway. The press photographer I was chatting to was using something like iso3200 1/800 and f8 on his long lens before the end of the first half. I had something like iso800-iso1000, 1/500 and f4.0. Winter time is a real challenge. Get your shots in the first half, then pot luck in the second!

On a related note, I just realised one of Dartford's good players is now at Bournemouth - Charlie Sheringham (son of Teddy Sheringham). Shame he's been out injured for so long! I don't think he ever got injured playing for Dartford! He starred in a lot of my pics ...

 

[Silver Simon]

Well, at f5.0-f6.3 you haven't got much leeway. The press photographer I was chatting to was using something like iso3200 1/800 and f8 on his long lens before the end of the first half. I had something like iso800-iso1000, 1/500 and f4.0. Winter time is a real challenge. Get your shots in the first half, then pot luck in the second!

On a related note, I just realised one of Dartford's good players is now at Bournemouth - Charlie Sheringham (son of Teddy Sheringham). Shame he's been out injured for so long! I don't think he ever got injured playing for Dartford! He starred in a lot of my pics ...

Yeah, Charlie. We've not seen anything of him, he got injured not long after joining us. He's back doing light training, no idea when he's likely to feature again. I'll let you know.

Big changes since he joined though, we've got a Russian backer who's put millions into the club. We've got manager Eddie Howe back from Burnley and about eight forwards chasing three spots, so Charlie will have his work cut out to get a first team spot.

Back to the point. That is what I did, shot just about every move in the first half and about 20 shots in total for the second.