High School Soccer

[LSDude]

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/geohoy/CHS031408Lee/photo#5177850249509080946"><img src="http://lh6.google.com/geohoy/R9trXlYoD3I/AAAAAAAAFZY/LIYT9mHJMSs/s400/DSC_4474.JPG" /></a>

Model: NIKON D300
ISO: 720
Exposure: 1/250 sec
Aperture: f/2.8
Focal Length: 145mm
Flash Used: No

[smc1377]

Is there anything in particular you'd like comments/critiques on?

[LSDude]

How can I make this a better shot?

I've had some poor focus issues with my D300 in low stadium light situations when using my 80-200 F/2.8 Nikon. Has anyone had this problem in similar situations?

[jdepould]

How can I make this a better shot?

I've had some poor focus issues with my D300 in low stadium light situations when using my 80-200 F/2.8 Nikon. Has anyone had this problem in similar situations?

I have the same setup and it works very very well in all conditions.

As far as the picture, you definitely don't need the space behind the players, and if you have any frames a little bit earlier, with the ball closer to the players, they might be stronger images.

[airbrushjohn]

How can I make this a better shot?

I've had some poor focus issues with my D300 in low stadium light situations when using my 80-200 F/2.8 Nikon. Has anyone had this problem in similar situations?

i looked at the larger size, not bad, try a tighter crop, but still not bad, also bump your iso up to 3200, i know those d300's can handle that and if you need to, run it through a noise reduction program! keep shooting, soccer is not an easy sport to shoot! looks you were caught between sundown and the stadium lights not quite full strength, bump up that iso, you will be surprised, and also if you set a custom white balance that makes a huge difference. best regards, john

[LSDude]

Day light certainly helps. I still am trying to catch that perfect moment.

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/geohoy/CHS040508Regionals/photo#5186500539245067554"><img src="http://lh3.google.com/geohoy/R_omwt0S_SI/AAAAAAAAJ3g/j0OwyZMw33U/s400/DSC_8191.JPG.jpg" /></a>

[GEli]

There's a whole bunch of unnecessary dead, boring sky above the left fellow's head, and he seems to have developed a large, towerlike growth out of his skull ;). Generally whenever shooting people, having things in the background that project through the head is a pretty big no-no.

[darrell]

I'd clone out that pole. Seems like an easy job in Photoshop.

And those powerlines too, maybe?

[whitemug]

in any sport, a common rule to follow would be to get as close to the action as possible. not only does this help eliminate unnecessary elements in your background, but it may also help capture players' emotions/facial expressions.

one good thing with your photos here, though, is that you still managed to capture the ball with the players. i don't think soccer shots will be as impactful without the ball in the same frame.

[jsanders]

your main problem over here is the focus. What focus mode did you use?
What you might be able to do is to use sport mode, which uses sportfocus.

[roosho]

neither pic is particularly eye catching... sometimes with sports shots, it takes a lot of volume before you get that perfect shot.

Keep shooting away.

[HockeyFan]

I understand the urge to keep a lower ISO to avoid noise, but you might consider experimenting and using ISO 1600, and a shutter speed of around 1/160th or so. That's what I use at hockey games. With the lighting in the arena, I typically run with the lense wide open and get decent shots.
Your lighting might be similar so it might be worthwhile to try a high ISO like that and see what you get. Some cameras have more noise than others. You might get the kind of pics you really want.
If light permits, you might get away with a shutter speed of 1/200th, which would really stop action, but I think the 1/160th is good enough and you might even get away with going with an even slower speed.

Once you get the shutter speed you're pleased with, if you can open the lense up more, you might be able to lower the ISO and reduce noise. I'd just start with 1600 and work down if you don't like the noise.

[SJH Foto]

While my colleague is correct about eye-catching photos, I do like your work. Yes, it is hard to get that elusive "eye-catching" shot, but if a picture is in focus, has minimal noise & blur as yours do, I find that parents and fans will buy them. Believe me, I have had many pictures on my site that I thought were junk that sold.

While money is not the end-all in photography, it is reassuring to know that ones pictures are good enough that someone will want to buy them-and yours are!