Singapore University Games 2006 - Soccer (Warning: Image intensive)

[Denosha]

Some of my shots from the above event. Stuff used (because somehow people will always ask): 20D, 300mm F4L IS (with and without 1.4xTC), 70-200 F2.8L IS, monopod, "field chair"

Comments and critiques most welcomed!

NUS vs SIM:

#1


#2


#3

[Denosha]

NTU vs SMU:

#1


#2

[Denosha]

SIM vs NTU:

#1


#2


#3

[Denosha]

NUS vs SMU:

#1


#2


#3


#4


#5

[Denosha]

NUS vs NTU:

#1


#2


#3


#4


#5

[Denosha]

Finals (NUS vs NTU):

#1


#2


#3


#4


Match winning penalty shootout save:
#5

[Denosha]

Post-game:

#1


#2


#3



The rest of the photos can be found here:
http://www.sgl.per.sg/users/denosha/...SUniG06-Soccer

[panzerpunk]

Now thats what I call exciting!

[bladehamster]

Which soccer magazine u from?

[sehsuan]

Only the 2nd shot seems to be a "nearly can make it". Most of the shots have half-chopped-up players, or too much backsides, or snapshots.

Sorry for being direct though.

[Denosha]

Originally Posted by panzerpunk Now thats what I call exciting!

Some of the matches were quite exciting.

Originally Posted by bladehamster Which soccer magazine u from?

Heh heh. I wish!

Originally Posted by sehsuan Only the 2nd shot seems to be a "nearly can make it". Most of the shots have half-chopped-up players, or too much backsides, or snapshots. Sorry for being direct though.

Erm.. Ok.. I didn't know there's a rule in sports photography that you can't cut off player's limbs and stuff if you have to. Anyway, only the 2nd game was shot with the zoom so for all other games I really didn't have much of a choice. Either take the shot and make do with the composition (at least keeping the ball and main subject's face in the frame) or let the moment pass. The too much ass thing i kinda agree with you though.

But as for snapshots, what makes you see these shots as snapshots? I'm not trying to defend my photos but I'd just like to know from your perspective what constitutes a "snapshot" in sports photography? My AF isn't exactly fast enough to point and snap. It takes me about 1-2 secs (esp with the 300+1.4x tc combo i used in all the games except the first 2) to lock on to the subject so there is some deal of anticipation involved.

Sorry, just want to know more since I don't exactly shoot a lot of sports or read about sports photography. Please teach me!

[sehsuan]

You're right, there's no rules that say one can't lop off limbs in a photo. In fact, really tight framings in my opinion are done only by highly skilled photographers, who know exactly where to focus and get the action really sharp. Loose framing on the other hand, isn't wrong either, but you do notice you have a few shots that show only the backs of the players, along with a messy background. I'd rather use the 300/4 without the TC or just the 70-200/2.8 alone, to throw the background out of focus as much as possible, with the aperture really wide open. Next thing is probably trying to crop the photos that look balanced left-right, without dead spaces offsetting the photo too heavily on one side. Of course, these are just guidelines, not rules per se.

You do have one good shot - the one of the keeper diving (I think?). Speaking of tight framing, I believe you experienced how hard it was to frame the way you did, and still get the image sharp. Imagine framing the shot through the viewfinder EVEN tighter - which I am still learning. Tough!

But that aside, probably it's a good idea to shoot with the lenses without the TCs - because adding a TC will only serve to slow down your AF response.

Edit: try these links
http://www.sportsshooter.com/news/673
http://www.sportsshooter.com/news/672
http://www.sportsshooter.com/news/671
http://www.sportsshooter.com/news/670
http://www.sportsshooter.com/news/669

[ComB]

Originally Posted by sehsuan You're right, there's no rules that say one can't lop off limbs in a photo. In fact, really tight framings in my opinion are done only by highly skilled photographers, who know exactly where to focus and get the action really sharp. Loose framing on the other hand, isn't wrong either, but you do notice you have a few shots that show only the backs of the players, along with a messy background. I'd rather use the 300/4 without the TC or just the 70-200/2.8 alone, to throw the background out of focus as much as possible, with the aperture really wide open. Next thing is probably trying to crop the photos that look balanced left-right, without dead spaces offsetting the photo too heavily on one side. Of course, these are just guidelines, not rules per se. You do have one good shot - the one of the keeper diving (I think?). Speaking of tight framing, I believe you experienced how hard it was to frame the way you did, and still get the image sharp. Imagine framing the shot through the viewfinder EVEN tighter - which I am still learning. Tough! But that aside, probably it's a good idea to shoot with the lenses without the TCs - because adding a TC will only serve to slow down your AF response. Edit: try these links http://www.sportsshooter.com/news/673 http://www.sportsshooter.com/news/672 http://www.sportsshooter.com/news/671 http://www.sportsshooter.com/news/670 http://www.sportsshooter.com/news/669

Yes,what sehsuan say is correct.
to get info--go www.sportsshooter.com..I'm also learning
Pics #2 is nice if the ball inside the frame.
Anyways,ur pics are nice

[freebsd]

sports photography esp soccer/basketball is not easy..

i like the pic #2, goalkeeper diving shot