Soccer Photos of the Week
This was a big soccer weekend with Columbus Day Weekend soccer tournaments. We had a total of 10 soccer games – but I was not able to attend all of them!
Pick #1
Description
This shot was taken at my daughter’s school in Ct on Saturday at their home Parent’s Weekend game. I see a lot of crazy entanglements in my photos but the photos are usually not presentable – this one was. Notice how the player’s arms are interlocked!
Shooting Conditions
Camera model: Canon EOS 40D
Lens: Canon EF 100-400 f/4.5-5.6L IS USM
Focal length: 160 mm
Exposure: 1/1600 at f/5.6
Exposure mode: Manual
ISO speed: ISO 250
Metering mode: Spot
Pick #2
Description
We have a theme here with entanglement! This game took place at 8am on a frost covered field in a football stadium – not the easiest of shooting conditions. This is the second U14 “Boys” team I’ve encountered this season with a (strong) girl player.
Shooting Conditions
Camera model: Canon EOS 40D
Lens: Canon EF 100-400 f/4.5-5.6L IS USM
Focal length: 260 mm
Exposure: 1/1250 at f/5.6
Exposure mode: Manual
ISO speed: ISO 400
Metering mode: Spot
Pick #3
Description
Another entanglement! The player in red actually does have a right foot, the field was very crowned and I was shooting low!
Shooting Conditions
Camera model: Canon EOS 40D
Lens: Canon EF 100-400 f/4.5-5.6L IS USM
Focal length: 235 mm
Exposure: 1/2000 at f/5.6
Exposure mode: Manual
ISO speed: ISO 320
Metering mode: Spot
Pick #4
Description
The final entanglement shot from this weekend! This was one of the most difficult fields to shoot on – there was no “walkaround” grassy area, spectators had to stand on a hill about 10′ above the field or behind a fence with teams warming up between them and the action. The sun (when it did peak out) was in my face, but most of the time the cloud cover kept the lighting flat and dim.
Shooting Conditions
Camera model: Canon EOS 40D
Lens: Canon EF 70-200 f/2.8L IS USM
Focal length: 200 mm
Exposure: 1/1600 at f/2.8
Exposure mode: Manual
ISO speed: ISO 250
Metering mode: Spot
Steve said:
Dec 10, 08 at 3:55 amEnjoyed looking at your photos and tips for shooting soccer. I have recently taken up the hobby to combine photography and my son’s sports as you have. I think your tip about shooting at kid level is one I will work on. Thanks again for posting all this.
Steve (from Shanghai China)
EclecticGuy said:
Dec 10, 08 at 4:42 amThanks Steve, glad it helped! Definitely invest in a stool or low chair, it will save your knees!
Steve said:
Dec 11, 08 at 2:56 amBTW – I strive for the same kind of 2 person action shots you have shown here. The more foot or arm swinging the better. Every time I get a good isolated shot of my son he says “that must be from practice, not the real game, ’cause there is no one else in the picture.” Of course my most cherished shots depict the action and somehow signify the game was played in China. Maybe a building with bamboo scaffolding, Chinese characters or the Chinese flag.
EclecticGuy said:
Dec 11, 08 at 6:06 amI basically take the shot as it comes – if I can isolate a player I’ll do that since the parents sometimes like to order prints. Usually the action is so fast that it is almost impossible not to have multiple players in the frame.
Those shots from China will be great keepsakes!
Steve said:
Dec 11, 08 at 5:58 pmBTW – I found your site while intentionally looking for people shooting sports and giving shooting advice while showing examples. The first site I found a few weeks ago, and use quite a bit is: http://sportsphotoguy.com/.
Dave said:
Jan 12, 09 at 6:01 amNice article, keep up the good work,
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