These are some shots I took a few weeks ago. It was my first time ever shooting soccer. I only shot for 20 minutes because I was just getting some stock shots and it was freezing cold out and I didn't have gloves. I'd love some C&C and especially suggestions to improve for next game, looks that since the soccer games on friday have been postponed I will be shooting Women's Soccer again on Saturday.
Thanks, just got the contact from my assistant editor, looks like I'll now be shooting both hockey games this weekend as well as Women's soccer saturday.
1. There needs to be a clear point of focus for the viewer. In your first shot, that's missing because it's very busy, the ball is only partially visible and it takes a while to find, and it's difficult to know what to be looking at.
2. Shoot tight and crop tighter. Your second and fifth shots could benefit from a tighter crop.
3. Ball in frame. It's tough to argue that a shot without the ball is worth posting, particularly if nothing interesting is happening, as in your last shot.
4. Try to add some 'pop' to your shots, either with your camera settings or in post. These need to be a bit brighter and are lacking contrast.
I think your fifth shot is your strongest. Crop tight around the player, give it a little post-processing love and you've got yourself a nice shot there.
It's a good start for your first time out. Keep at it.
Andrew: Looks better. I should have caught this the first time around. It's more obvious with the tighter crop that the horizon is off. If you rotate the photo to the point where the fence post is perfectly vertical, the image will be 'true.' And (nit-pick alert!) I'd leave just a bit more space on the right side of the image for her to 'move into' as she kicks the ball. But obviously you've got the idea. Looks much better.
Your recent posted pics are better. More contrst....
Here is what I have used for soccer on d300/700's though I am not an expert
EV -1/3 (that reduces the washed out lighter tones)
D-Lighting on IF it is sunny with strong shadows
Wide open (2.8 or 3.2) aperatures to limit depth of field
Try to shoot at 150mm or longer to also limit depth of field
continuous focus mode........9 focus points
Try to anticipate the action and have focus points on a player, and let camera track it.
Ideal shot includes: players face, ball, and action
Position yourself for good lighting, and to avoid distracting backgrounds if possible.
Some field sport photos at my website
www.barkriverphotography.com
Snow !!!! arggghhhh....I know it's coming to my area sooner or later....
The last set of shots have you shooting into the light/sun. This puts the dark shadows into the faces. I bet they would have been much nicer from the other side of the field.
Just a though.................your mileage my vary
i hope you don't mind:
1. too much foreground. Nothing catches my eye, not a keeper imo
2. too much space on both sides, nice action. needs a levels bump to add some pop
3. odd angle, try to get straight aways of faces, also need some pop
4. very nice
5. needs to be way tighter crop. watch the bg-s and resist shooting
6. awkward position for her and not appealing to look at
Thanks for the comments Randy, I appreciate critiques, the harsher the better. I'd love to know what you think of the more recent shots that I took today that are posted here as well. Also on 5. The reason I did not crop originally is because I submitted it including the empty seats in the background as we had planned to run a story about low attendance for soccer, as you can see I cropped much tighter after some post.
skyvan wrote:
Thanks for the comments Randy, I appreciate critiques, the harsher the better. I'd love to know what you think of the more recent shots that I took today that are posted here as well. Also on 5. The reason I did not crop originally is because I submitted it including the empty seats in the background as we had planned to run a story about low attendance for soccer, as you can see I cropped much tighter after some post.
tighter crops work as long as there is enough room on top and more room in the direction of the action
i understand on #5, sorry about that
