Volleyball Photo - Too Much In Background?

[Chip]

This was taken yesterday at a 6th grade girls' game. Normally, I'd crop a photo like this much closer. But, do the girls in the background make a good addition to this photo? Any thoughts on the crop and on keeping the girls in the background?

Also, did I bump the contrast too much?

Any other thoughts or criticisms would be appreicated.

Thanks for looking.

Exposure: 0.003 sec (1/320)
Aperture: f/4.0
Focal Length: 52 mm
ISO Speed: 2500
Exposure Bias: 0 EV
Flash: No Flash

[Drkranger]

I'd say if the girls were showing some excitement, keep them, but they're just sitting there, so they don't add to the photo. Overall, nice photo.

[digirebelva]

Because the background is basically the same color as the server, its hard to figure out the focal point of the image, the server is getting lost in the background..

[Jim Bryant]

You need to focus on the action. Like the other's commented if it was a tight game and the bench was displaying emotion, I'd say the reaction adds to the photo. If not use a selective DOP to get them out of focus.

[nathanbarlow]

Nice shot, but I'd say use a smaller DoF to blur the background a bit - not too much, so you can still see who/what the background is, but will make the main subject pop a bit more. Also maybe tone down the blue pads in the background - depends how much PPing you are keen to do

[Chip]

Originally Posted by Drkranger

I'd say if the girls were showing some excitement, keep them, but they're just sitting there, so they don't add to the photo. Overall, nice photo.

Good point, drkranger. Thanks for the input.

Originally Posted by digirebelva

Because the background is basically the same color as the server, its hard to figure out the focal point of the image, the server is getting lost in the background..

I see what you're saying, digibelva. Thanks.

Originally Posted by Jim Bryant

You need to focus on the action. Like the other's commented if it was a tight game and the bench was displaying emotion, I'd say the reaction adds to the photo. If not use a selective DOP to get them out of focus.

Thanks, Jim. I do have shots where I zoomed in more than this. As for a more narrow DoF, I'm running into gear limitations. My only autofocus lens is a zoom that goes from ƒ2.8 to ƒ4 - at 50mm, it's already at ƒ3.8 or so. So, now it's obvious: I need a fast zoom!

Originally Posted by nathanbarlow

Nice shot, but I'd say use a smaller DoF to blur the background a bit - not too much, so you can still see who/what the background is, but will make the main subject pop a bit more. Also maybe tone down the blue pads in the background - depends how much PPing you are keen to do

Thank you, nathanbarlow. But with my gear limitations, a noticeably smaller DoF isn't possible. I will try desaturating the blue background a bit. Thanks for the suggestion.