Starting the soccer game

[thekeyster]

I caputured this photo just before kickoff one sunny but very chilly Sunday morning. I love the way the 2 are looking at the third. Makes me wonder what they were talking about.

Anyways, what can I do post production to make the image pop more?




Camera: NIKON
Model: D40
ISO: 200
Exposure: 1/1000 sec
Aperture: 5.6
Focal Length: 300mm

Thanks,
Glen

[Chip]

I'm not the best at post, but I'd try to make the 2 smiling girls a bit sharper. A high pass filter should help with this.

Also, to bring more attention to those 2 girls, what about cropping off the top to just below the ponytail on #18? It would be an unusual crop, and it would tight at the top of the 2 girls' heads, but it would remove a lot of the extra space in the shot.

My 2 cents.

[wamplers]

Maybe a curves/brightness adjustment? I think the crop is OK.

[minimidge]

Well I think as far as cropping goes you'll just have to experiment. If it was my photo I'd leave it as is.

The people in the background detract from the players, especially due to the bright colors they're wearing. You could try cloning them out, but it's best to try to get rid of distracting elements while you're taking the picture.

It always bugs me when I think I have a great shot and then realize there's some guy sticking his big head up into the shot.

[thekeyster]

Originally Posted by minimidge

Well I think as far as cropping goes you'll just have to experiment. If it was my photo I'd leave it as is.

The people in the background detract from the players, especially due to the bright colors they're wearing. You could try cloning them out, but it's best to try to get rid of distracting elements while you're taking the picture.

It always bugs me when I think I have a great shot and then realize there's some guy sticking his big head up into the shot.

Great ideas, I'll experiment with cropping and curves. As far as the background, clone might be a good option since this is during a soccer tournament with LOTS of teams/people so getting any shot without people in the background is tough...unless somebody has some ideas there too!

THANKS!

[Jensers]

Backgrounds! Soccer is horrible for this because it is always something. I have tried to get a few shots and use the background as part of the image, but it helps when those in the background are involved and engaged in the match. If they are sitting there picking their nose or looking everywhere but the action - that isnt going to help build the spirit of the image. Lets see what I can find... Here is one - it is pretty open and a lot is happening in the background, but they all point to the action so your eye seems to follow right along with them - so I guess that is something... Other than the guy in white at the top of the stands that is cut in half and glowing in the sunlight, and the amount of foreground - it represents what I am saying anyway:



What you do when you have a bunch of distractions in the background who seem to care less about what you are capturing? Well - you could try to change your perspective I suppose... Shoot from above or below... Using the grass, or the sky as your background. I have been able to do that a few times and it has produced some decent images. Another option is a shallowing up image with a different lens (Ca-ching!).

To be honest - I dont have a good answer. I feel that much of it is just luck. If you scout a location on the field and try to get the perfect light and action in just that spot you scouted - you are going to stand there not shooting a whole lot and be really frustrated when you come up with nothing. I worry about lighting first and then just shoot away and hope for the best. Post is like a big surprise, but what can you do? It is hard!