Photo Assignment: Sept '06 - Sports/Action

[handicap18]

Another month is upon us. Time for another monthly photo assignment. This months assignment: Sports and action photos. Go out there and take some pictures. High shutter speed is the game in this one. Remember one of the rules of photography: Shutter speed should be equal or greater than your focal lenth. So if your shooting with a lens at 300mm then you should use 1/300th for a shutter speed.

Looks as though we've gotten a lot of new posters here recently (welcome aboard!!). Here's the 'rules'. The idea of the monthly photo assignments are for you to go out and use your cameras now. Help yourself to prepare for your next Disney vacation and help yourself improve your photography skills. In past assignments people have posted a lot of previous pictures. That is fine, but try to make an effort sometime during the month to take some assignment related pictures. They DO NOT have to be Disney, but Disney pictures are certainly welcome.

How this assignment relates to Disney: There are lots of parades (granted the action is slow, but its still action), Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show at MGM-Studios and DL Paris (I believe it the other), on the safari at AK your doing the moving on the jeep, also the many water falls at AK and other water features at all the parks, maybe you'd like to catch a pic of your kids on one of the roller coasters, these are just to name a few.

Some ideas to get you going: Do your kids or other relatives play sports, school is starting and so are HS Fall sports (Football and soccer and field hockey come to mind), maybe your a race car fan and want to go to a race some weekend. Stop action is the most common (fast shutter, typically 1/500th and faster - practice with the high ISO's: 400, 800 & 1600 depending on your camera), you can also show movement using a slow shutter (like that of a water fall where the water is blurry white), how about panning? Keep the subject in focus, but the background is blurry or vise versa, have the subject show some blur while everything else is in focus.

Once again, get out there, use your camera and above all else: Have some FUN!!

 

[0bli0]

psst... it's september

since i shoot sports professionally, if anyone has any questions, etc. feel free to ask!

 

[Anewman]

Some ideas to get you going: Do your kids or other relatives play sports, school is starting and so are HS Fall sports (Football and soccer and field hockey come to mind), maybe your a race car fan and want to go to a race some weekend. Stop action is the most common (fast shutter, typically 1/500th and faster - practice with the high ISO's: 400, 800 & 1600 depending on your camera), you can also show movement using a slow shutter (like that of a water fall where the water is blurry white), how about panning? Keep the subject in focus, but the background is blurry or vise versa, have the subject show some blur while everything else is in focus.

Once again, get out there, use your camera and above all else: Have some FUN!!

Is Soccer a "fall" sport?
I thought CIF considered it a winter sport, my kids are doing football and Volleyball.

Others include Tennis, Boys Water Polo and Cross Country, their school does not have Field Hockey.

 

[handicap18]

psst... it's september

hehehe,,, ops,,, Did I dooo thaaaaat.

Is Soccer a "fall" sport?
I thought CIF considered it a winter sport, my kids are doing football and Volleyball.

Others include Tennis, Boys Water Polo and Cross Country, their school does not have Field Hockey.

I believe it depends on where you are, what part of the country and what state. In MA soccer is a fall sport along with golf, CC, football and field hockey, Tennis is a spring sport (at least they were when I was in HS, but that was a while ago). Don't remember what volleyball was, I want to say fall.

 

[JR6ooo4]

these are from not too long ago, only a few weeks. The yellow team is BG United from Chicago. They won the league this year. Though they are all freeze action shots I think they portray much action:

Canon rebel XT with 70-300 IS and big sunshield. Late morning sun as seen in the shadows and washed out green of the grass. I do not have a PF for this lens diameter.
shot raw but could have been jpeg since I did not do any processing other than some crops.

comments and suggestions appreciated
I definately got better as the season went on. It was my first try at soccer pics. Much easier than low light theater pics! Except with theater you know where the action will be.
http://mnmstudios.smugmug.com/Sports
MIkeeee

 

[amid chaos]

U12 girls hockey.

I am finding hockey to particularly difficult to shoot.

The flouresant lights are all different colors and I am usually shooting behind net or plexiglass. Any tips would be appreciated.

 

[fitzperry]

Here's one from a couple of weeks ago--the ever popular kid toss

These are from the spring soccer season. I found it difficult to get the correct white balance--guess it's all the green (why did the uniforms even have to be green? They should've checked with me first ). As others have said, any comments/critiques are appreciated.

Michael Jordan?

"Oh look, a clover." This would illustrate one of the reasons we're skipping the fall season.

Another flipped out ponytail.

ETA: All taken with my D70. The pool one was shot with the 18-70mm kit lens, and I think I shot all the soccer pics with my 55-200mm.

 

[Master Mason]

Here are a few from last night with EXIF data. These are all straight from the camera with no editing. Please feel free to critic, as I am trying to get better. Thanks

Exposure 1/160 @f5.6
ISO 1600
Focal Lenght 300mm

Exposure 1/30 @f5.6
ISO 800
Focal Lenght 300mm

Exposure 1/1600 @f11
ISO 400
Focal Lenght 230mm

Exposure 1/50 @f5.6
ISO 200
Focal Lenght 300mm

 

[JR6ooo4]

THey look good to me, jenn. Did that help at all?

Cute story about the clover too.
Hey at least you have the shin pads and cleats that will be outgrown in another 4 minutes.
Mikeeee

 

[handicap18]

Master Mason, I know the 70-200 f/2.8 is a boat load of cash, but that would make a huge difference. Using f/2.8 at ISO 1600 would get you closer to a 1/300th or so shutter speed (can't do the math in my head right now). Another more affordable option is the 70-200 f/4. I think even for the day shots I would use ISO 1600, just to be able to get the faster shutter. You've got the right shots in mind.

Jen, I really like your first pic. Great action. The clover pic is priceless.

Mike, nice pics!! Well done!

Keep em coming guys.

Hopefully Oblio can shed some light (no pun intended) on making our pics in this category better. It definately is tough to get going. But thats why we're all here.

 

[extreme8]

Here are a few shots taken this morning at my sons football game - Down 'n dirty American football, that is
Not my best work, but the season is young and I guess the photographers need to practice as much as the players.
Any comments or constructive criticisim is (are?) appreciated.

And one that actually shows my son (#64)

 

[2angelsinheaven]

Here a few from the Bucs Training Camp.

 

[fitzperry]

THey look good to me, jenn. Did that help at all?

Cute story about the clover too.
Hey at least you have the shin pads and cleats that will be outgrown in another 4 minutes.
Mikeeee

Very helpful--guess I'm doing everything right!

Fortunately the cleats were hand-me-downs from a cousin, so they didn't cost us a dime. And the only pair we've had to buy were purchased at a sporting goods store's going out of business sale for about $10. Gotta save wherever possible to support my camera habit.

Btw, I like your soccer pics--where in Chicago does that team play?

 

[sk8belle]

An odd angle from a local skate race:

Now these guys were moving MUCH faster than the ones above, but (while I like the effect) I wish I'd been able to stop action better. I think my shutter speed was just too slow, and I could't figure out how to change it properly:

Same as above without the crop:

 

[0bli0]

aargh, spent time writing a reply and the board gave me a 'database error' and couldn't go back... let's try again (and copy to clipboard just in case)

first off, there have been some great photos posted already! i'll make some general comments

i generally don't use a flash except for skateboard competitions. flashes are largely ineffective (except for fill) and can be inconsiderate for the competitors

outdoor shooting - daytime

for most all sports i shoot, i shoot portrait orientation. we are accustomed to viewing sports photos in this orientation, and you will fill more of the image with your subject. occasionally landscape orientation works, but not so often.

at most of the venues where the bulk of us would shoot sports (community parks, school fields, etc.), the backgrounds can quickly turn an otherwise great shot rather ordinary. when you're finding your spot around the field to shoot, look at what's behind the area you're shooting. cars, fences, rubbish bins, backstops, etc. are a natural distraction and don't look in place. bleachers, spectators, and coaches, on the otherhand, give the image a natural sporty feel. i prefer to shoot from the opposite side of the field, even if it's towards the sun as the backgound is generally nicer.

shoot wide open, or stopped down one stop and concentrate on near action (as opposed to action on the opposite side of the field. this will give you a nice boken and smooth out the background.

when you take your shots, get down low - use a monopod or even a tripod if you have one. i kneel - even when i've been given a chair to sit in. try to keep the horizontal plane of the field below the waist, or as low as possible. if you're shooting from the stands, crop in tight to cutoff the horizon.

frozen action is generally much better than 'motion', unless you're panning with the subject and keep their face in focus. this is easy with cars, but very difficult with running people as they change speed and direction constantly (except in track and field where it's generally constant). the frozen action reveals emotion and determination in the participant's faces, and the bits of dirt and dust kicked up generally add to the feeling. remember that the one over focal length rule should take crop factor into account. so if you're using a Canon 1.6x body with a 300mm lens, the minimum shutter speed to avoid lens motion blur is 1/480. if you're going to try to pan for motion, you might lower it to 1/125 to 1/250 - but it takes practice.

many times i shoot manual exposure for more control and consistency, but i don't recommend that yet...

use AI servo and choose a single AF spot and shoot in AV mode. adjust your ISO to keep the shutter speed up. note: non 1-series Canon bodies will automatically add extra AF spots if AI servo loses tracking, so keep the spot on your subject.

indoor sports
for volleyball and basketball, i generally use the 85mm 1.8 or 135 F2 and shoot RAW. for ice hockey, i'll generally use the 80-200 2.8. most ice rinks i'll either shoot raw, or create a custom white balance if the lights are constant con-changing colour. fortunately the boards and ice are pretty white. find a clean spot in the plexy or if you're shooting through the net and you can't shoot clearly through one hole - step back from the net a bit. white netting generally found at ice hockey games is generally very visible and also give you false exposure readings. personally i'll go find a hole in the netting or put the lens under the bottom or on the side.

if you don't have a fast lens, you'll need to shoot very high ISO and then clean it up through software after. you will generally loose contrast and some saturation and be careful of blown highlights.

again keep low . for basketball i generally sit or even stand if i'm on the floor. but i keep the horizon below the waist. i occasionally (when allowed) use a low powered flash with a big diffuser - for fill.

outdoor nightime sports

outdoor night games are difficult. stadiums may look bright, but youll find even at high ISO it's impossible to keep the shutter speed up. i occasionally ren fast long lenses like a (300 2.8) if i'm shooting at night or shoot only close action with the 80-200 2.8. i'm going to pickup a Sigma 120-300 2.8 EX for next season. generally speaking, here in oz there aren't too many night games. i realise in the states, friday night gridiron games are a staple and a great shooting opportunity.

i got to cover some junior rugby league Grand Final games on saturday for the paper. they were played in the big league stadium. here are a few examples.

here is one example of panning

and the obligitory 'Try' photo

a 'Try' is like a touchdown, except that we actually have to touch the ball down. and i'm not sure why it's called a 'Try', since they've technically succeeded...

edit: here is one more - a shot of CarolC's son (in black) playing soccer - shot through the small mesh net

 

[TeXaShOtTiE09]

delete

 

[slmjam]

Here's a couple of my son playing baseball. Both were taken with a Canon S2 IS, not the clearest pictures, but I was happy I was able to get the ball in mid air.

 

[extreme8]

try to keep the horizontal plane of the field below the waist, or as low as possible. if you're shooting from the stands, crop in tight to cutoff the horizon.

I guess you really can learn something new every day.
Many of the tips in your post were things that I had already been told or learned through trial and error, but when I read this a light went off.
I knew that I liked some of my sports pictures better than others but I could never quite figure out what the differences were.
Looking at the images I posted above I can see it's the "horizon below the waist" thing.
Thanks for the pointer - I'll make sure to put this into practice.

 

[0bli0]

the second one down you posted is an awesome shot. they're all very good but that one really jumps out.

 

[JR6ooo4]

Very helpful--guess I'm doing everything right!

Fortunately the cleats were hand-me-downs from a cousin, so they didn't cost us a dime. And the only pair we've had to buy were purchased at a sporting goods store's going out of business sale for about $10. Gotta save wherever possible to support my camera habit.

Btw, I like your soccer pics--where in Chicago does that team play?

It is in the glenview park district league. Apparently they have the best league around because most of BG United is from chicago and they travel there to play. BG stands for Bulgaria where they are originaly from. #17 is one of my employees.

MIkeeee