Soccer match

[pittbug]

I'm shooting an amateur soccer match tomorrow at an open air stadium and am looking for tips on where I should position myself? I'm thinking I might try both sides of the goal and try to walk the line where I can. Any tips would be appreciated. I will be shooting with a sigma 120-300 f/2.8 and monopod.

Is it best to stay standing, or should I shoot seated, or both?

Thanks!

[Woody]

There was an article on TV last night about how Google has usurped our memory and makes it so easy to find out stuff. Well here's your stuff:


‪How to shoot soccer photos‬‏ - YouTube

Cheers,

John W

[pittbug]

Thanks Woody, however, that video was about camera settings, which I'm already quite comfortable with. I'm more looking for tips on where to locate myself around the field.

[gturner]

Have a look at pro games.
You want to be a quarter into the field from any corner, with the sun coming over one of your shoulders.
If you are shooting for a team, make sure you cover the goal they are attacking... they are not going to buy images of the opposition scoring in their net.

If you have a stadium room that is casting shadows, get your metering or exposure comp right so that you have the players and ball we exposed.

[amy_bb]

Originally Posted by pittbug

I'm shooting an amateur soccer match tomorrow at an open air stadium and am looking for tips on where I should position myself? I'm thinking I might try both sides of the goal and try to walk the line where I can. Any tips would be appreciated. I will be shooting with a sigma 120-300 f/2.8 and monopod.

Is it best to stay standing, or should I shoot seated, or both?

Thanks!

I shoot a lot of my son's soccer (outside, 10yr old boys, evening play) and I have the following suggestions: (disclaimer: these are from me, amateur, hobbyist, photo mom)

Be VERY aware of the position of the sun. Regardless of what else is going on during play, it is painful to take that great shot and realize that everyone's face is shaded and you can see your own shadow in the picture (yes, I did this last night :-) ) All can be fixed through pp of course, but hard to do w/harsh shadows.

Watch a few minutes of the game and see who the explosive players are. Then, depending on your reason for shooting (sell prints, photo for publication) I would follow that player when they have the ball because those will be the best action shots.

Don't sit. Walk up and down the sidelines depending on the light and also stand behind each of the goals. I've taken some good shots w/the kids running right at me.

Throw ins are usually good shots. When the goalie or another player makes a good, strong kick down the field, stay on your toes and look for the header or chest ball or for the receiving player to do a high kick to meet the ball in the air. The leg in the air or ball meets body part shot is usually a good one too.

When the action is around the goal, zoom out and try and get the kick into the net shot. I got one last night with the scoring player, the ball, the net and the goalie and I was quite pleased as were the scoring players parents. Also look for the post goal celebration shot.

Here are some I took last night. Not my best work b/c I was too busy chatting w/the other moms, but and example: http://www.flickr.com/photos/amy_bb/...7627080016887/

That's all I can think of for now. I'm sure others and especially the pros will have more tips!

[pittbug]

gturner/amy_bb thanks! Great tips. Amy, you have some nice photos there, thanks for sharing.

I'll be shooting for the team (my co-workers) so I'll need to move around to make sure I get multiple shots of each player.

I'm also going to try to get pre and post game team photos and some of the fans/supporters in the stadium to round out the event.

[MrJones]

as a soccer lover.. I can tell you to position yourself behind the net at some point..
there is nothing better than catching the goalie and the striker with the ball in one shot

[Jim Bryant]

I normally stake out each side of the corner kick area, so I can get shots of players running at ya and kicks on goal.

[pittbug]

The tourney was a series of 6 on 6 games, so they split up the pitch into 3 smaller ones. Because of this layout I could only position myself around the outside of the main field. The sun was pretty much overhead further limiting options.

Here are some of the photos from today:

Manta Soccer Tournament - a set on Flickr

Thanks for all the tips.

[amy_bb]

Great set! I especially like #9247....oh, and the fact that the soccer ball matched your team's outfit. Excellent planning (I'm sure that was your idea as a photographer, right? :-) ).