Percentages

[weephillie]

After finally getting my hands on a Sigma 70-200mm f2.8 lens it meant I could attempt to tackle (no pun intended) some football photography.

This type of photography was the reason for me taking up this profession. The thing is, I've now done two 90 minute matches and at each game taken around 600 shots. Of the 600 I'm finding that I have about 40 images that I would call acceptable. Is this a good percentage rate or am I just really rubbish!

I'd love to hear from anyone who shoots (oops! pun again) football and find out what their success rate is.

 

[marcusp13]

At gigs i normally take about 200 of each band, then i end up using about 10 of each band them in the end.

 

[SimonTALM]

I think it all depends on the type of photography you are doing. With sports you will have a much lower percentage than a landscape photographer. As with everything you hit rate will increase with practice so I would say that following 2 games to have got 80 acceptable photos you are doing pretty well.

Of course everything relies on what is classed as "acceptable" perhaps if you posted your top 2 images, your bottom 2 image and a middle 2 images (all 80 is too many) people could advise if they are "acceptable" or not.

 

[Wail]

Personally, I'd be happy with a 5% "keeper" rate .. anything above that and I'd use that as an excuse to buy a new bit of gear

Mind, I put a mental barrier to how many shots I am willing to shoot on a given day / shoot. Otherwise I'd just be trigger happy. This mental barrier makes me think more than twice about each shot I am about to get.

 

[iammartin]

40 keepers in 90 minutes is pretty damn good. If one is portfolio quality you're golden.

As Simon said, it depends on what you're doing what kind of hit rate is good, and as long as you get the important shots its all good.

 

[Chillimonster]

Last Swimming meet i did, i took 385 pictures and kept 20. Out of those 20 i had orders for 5 of them, so i was happy