Chicago312 Loc: Western suburb, Chicago

High school varsity, Neuqua Valley vs Naperville Central, NV won in OT
Less than ideal conditions - wind, light rain, no press pass; varsity always plays at night.
Nikon D800, 300mm f2.8 + TC 1.4, monopod, LensCoat RainCoat
ISO 6400, f4, 1/500
I have a lot to learn after having seen so many fantastic photos on UHH; I know I definitely need to crop more in post.
Any and all constructive criticism welcomed.
Stephen

With my iPhone 7 front camera










Photographers with press passes

rickberns Loc: Conroe, Texas

Hi Stephen,

I'm no expert with sport photos, especially football, I think I'm up to 5 football games in my photography career. The biggest (or most influential) thing that I learned taking sport photo's this past year (because of the Maxpreps editors and other photog feedbacks), is trying not to crop the image down too much (or not at all). All my Canon bodies are minimum & maximum 20MP so not much room to crop like the 40+MP bodies. The sermon I received, quite often, is to be patient and let the action come to you. Of course you miss a lot of action waiting for the action! but those close/tight shots are clean and crisp at even high ISO levels.

You have great action shots. For me, I would use the TC1.4 during the day only (I only speak for my self), I would use the 300mm f2.8 by itself, and auto iso 100-6400 (maybe 12800 at times) with a shutter no less than 1/1000 (I sometimes test drive 1/1250). Jules uses a 300mm waiting for the action to come to him. With my 400mm, I stay 30yds in front of the play (probably 20yds for the 300mm), and every so often I would drop behind the line of scrimmage for some QB/Running back exchanges, sacks or just taking pictures of the defensive guys coming thru. I'm only in the end zone when the offense is near the 20 yd line.

Stephen you're doing great, just keep snapping away.

Rick

joecichjr Loc: Chicago S. Suburbs, Illinois, USA

Gorgeous action shots 💞🏆🏆🏆💞

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Great field-level action!

tshift Loc: Overland Park, KS.

Hi. Nice shots shooting from where you were. Please do Choose file, store original, and add attachment. That allows us to download and see a lot closer to critique photos. There are some hogs on here that will take that and give you great advice on how to make your photos better which is what we all on here are striving for. Post more when you can. Thanks BE SAFE!!

Tom

david vt Loc: Vermont

Given your first shot showing where you were having to shoot from, I think these are really good. Good eye for the timing of the catches and tackles.

Hard to shoot from way back beyond a track at the far end zone. Given the “dark and stormy night” (sorry-can’t resist) - I think you settings are about as good as you can, the results showing up in the shoots.

While it would be great to let the action come to you at the near end zone, sometimes you have to shoot what you are given. Happens to me a lot in XC where the light is often not what I want or where I want it. Given that you were about 100 yards away from some of this action, these are good.

As for Cropping, not bad. If I had a suggestion on the above, it would be to, on the shots that have it, crop more of the foreground green turf from the pictures. It is a bit distracting and does not add to the shot.

#2, 4, and 5 are my favorites of this set.

pnittoly Loc: Mountainside, New Jersey

Great shots especially given your location. I too am another rookie enthusiast. Take advantage of the excellent advice from the experienced sports pros such as Jules, Tom and others. Keep practicing ! Paul

Chicago312 Loc: Western suburb, Chicago

Thanks Rick. I appreciate the advice. I think I may try using the 300 by itself and just wait for the action at the next varsity game. I may also look to shoot a JV game or Fr/So game which are played during the day.

Chicago312 Loc: Western suburb, Chicago

Thank you, Joe!

Chicago312 Loc: Western suburb, Chicago

Thank you, Paul!

Chicago312 Loc: Western suburb, Chicago

Thank you, Tom! I will do so the next time. I think I forgot to choose “store original”.

Chicago312 Loc: Western suburb, Chicago

Thanks, David! I appreciate the advice and will work on the cropping.

Chicago312 Loc: Western suburb, Chicago

Thanks, Paul!