Track and Field Photos

[kmontano]

I am just getting started shooting track and field events and I would like advice on how I can improve my images. I shot this image at a track meet recently. Time of day was around 5:00pm and it was overcast. My camera settings are below. What changes in framing, camera settings or position could I use to make this image better? Also please take a look at the album that is linked to in the text below the image.

From Track Meet, April 9, 2010

Technical Data:
Camera: Canon
Model: Canon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XT
ISO: 800
Exposure: 1/1250 sec
Aperture: 5.6
Focal Length: 35mm

[AlphaBjerke]

Disclaimer: I have never shot track and field--well, maybe some track, but no field.

Whenever possible (and sometimes when it is not) I try to get a face in my sports pictures. Seeing this guys side/back is not at all interesting to me as it might as well be a dummy being thrown over that bar. Unless there is something else unusual (ie., taken from an angle that makes it look really high or something?), I consider it a missed shot when I don't get a face and get it in focus.

Now, how to do that in the high jump...snap it as they first start to jump, take it from the other side (maybe not possible), do something, to get that face in.

From the composition standpoint, I think it has too much sky AND too much red cushion. It needs to be cropped tighter. The cars in the background are not blurred enough, which makes me think that the lens was almost at infinity focus because I think they would be thrown more out of focus at that aperture.

I will go look at the rest of the album now.

[wamplers]

I have to agree with what AlphaBjerke said. Get the face as much as possible and crop closer. Might be nice to have him still above the bar as well.

[Sterling]

Try getting low so you can shoot up against the sky and get rid of distracting backgrounds (like the row of parked cars).

[kmontano]

Thanks for the feedback guys! I'm probably going to shoot another meet tomorrow so I will definitely take these things into consideration.

[EMansfield]

I also agree with the suggestion of avoiding unnecessary backgrounds. In this photo, the cars in the background get so much attention and look very distracting.

Cheers!

Eric Mansfield