advice for first football "shoot"

[addicknchips]

Hi all,

next tuesday im hopefully going along to take pictures at a Youth cup game. This will be under floodlights as its an evening kick off. Ive never done anything like this before so any advice and tips much appreciated!

thanks

 

[KIPAX]

With the equipment you ahve listed in your camera bag I would say you are going to struggle.. Where is this being played ie football league ground, football non league, sports center? This will give an idea of lighting...

 

[-Rob-]

With a D90 you should have sufficient iso capability to cope with the lighting. Up the iso to at least 800 or more. If you have one then use a long lens with a constant aperture of f2.8 and use it wide open. Always take shots of football from a low seated position at the side of the pitch. Don't move around the pitch chasing the game. Pick your spot and stay there because the nature of football is that the action will happen all over the pitch over the course of the game. If 1 team is very dominent then move to the correct half of the pitch but don't constantly move. Use a fairly fast shutter speed to freeze the action and try and fill the frame with your shots. Last but not least, keep one eye on the viewfinder and the other on the ball to anticipate the action so that you are ready for the shot before the action happens so you can get the ball in frame as well as the players.

 

[addicknchips]

its being played at The Valley, Charlton. when i say floodlights i mean stadium lights. The photographers there always choose a goal to sit behind and dont move until the end of the half. they never get up during a game and go for a walk.

the longest lens i have is 70-300. I have a tripod and monopod also.

 

[KIPAX]

Haa the Valley that tells us a lot!.. some yoof games are played at lower stadiums where the lighting is bad... But somewhere like the valley you will ahve great ligthing..

However with the lens you ahve I think -Rob- is being ambitious with iso 800... I think you will still struggle wiht that lens.. your going to have to use MANUAL mode.. take the iso as high as you can and use the widest aperture then select the fastest shutter you can and still get some sort of picture.. I think your shutter will be very low though.

 

[-Rob-]

However with the lens you ahve I think -Rob- is being ambitious with iso 800... I think you will still struggle wiht that lens..

Tony is right, I didn't have a look at your kit bag before to see what lenses you have. I did say at least 800 iso so double that if you have to.

I've taken photos at a night game under very poor lighting conditions with a Nikon D70 and a Sigma 28-300mm lens with an aperture ranging from 3.5 to 6.3. The results were certainly no where near what Tony can achieve with his kit but they were OK so just do your best and I'm sure you'll get some useable shots.

 

[addicknchips]

ok my excitement has died down somewhat! ok thanks for the tips. sounds like it'll be a tough challenge.

i'll post up anything thats half decent.

thanks

 

[KIPAX]

i'll post up anything thats half decent.

Any picture taken at a football league or premiership ground comes under dataco licence and as such comes under there terms and conditions... Two pub teams playing at a league ground even...

Personally I doubt anyone would bother if you did post them... But I have a feeling your not aware of the rules and regs in all this so just pointing it out thats all. Sharing information so to speak.... I look forward to seeing the pics

 

[addicknchips]

yes getting ahead of myself there. still waiting for the details from the club.

 

[KIPAX]

yes getting ahead of myself there. still waiting for the details from the club.

Sorry mate wasnt trying to be a party pooper.. just that people get into league grounds and have no idea of what can/cant be done.. I have done some yoof games and i darnt post the pics on here as I could lose access to future games... But if I was doing a one off I probably wouldnt worry