sweet

[DS1]

more practice compensating for shutter lag on my digi rebel :D














and I may have got myself a contract out of some of these shots :bounce:

[ET Awful]

1. What lens are you using for these?

Just curious :)

Are you pre-focusing or are you using a continuous focus to capture them?

[DS1]

2. The end-zone ones were pre-focused

the rest were continuous sport mode :-)

75-300, standard canon - steady hands

[DS1]

3. this is it, for what it's worth

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=169267&is=GREY&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation

[ET Awful]

4. Shooting handheld or with a monopod?

I'm trying to think of ways to help you sharpen them even more :).

I'm thinking a monopod would help greatly. I've got an extra one, nothing fancy, but it'll support your camera and that lens easily. Let me know if you want it.

If they weren't so damn expensive, I'd suggest a higher end lens with the internal focusing motor so it can focus faster, but ah well :).

[DS1]

5. offhand, modified M16 shooting position

:D

I realized a tripod might have been a good idea when I got there, and wouldn't mind an IS lens, but on the other hand when you're zoomed in that close and FB is so unpredictable "for me" it's just the nature of the beast.

[RagingInMiami]

6. These are better than the first ones you posted

And you inspired me to take my camera to the Miami Hurricane game last night. They were playing the University of South Florida, which upset number nine ranked Louisiville last week, so they came into the Orange Bowl very fired up.

I was using my 70-200 L lens with the 1.4x extender, which turns it into a 98-280 mm lens.

I was shooting at 800 ISP and 400 ISP, so I got some grainy photos. Howver, I used free software to make it less grainy. You may want to download this. It works pretty well.

http://www.download.com/Neat-Image/3000-2204_4-10073707.html

So here are my shots.


Touchdown


Here is a cropped version.


Pass interference in the endzone against the University of South Florida Bulls. Can you see the ball in the top right corner? I didn't expect the guy to suddenly pop up in my shot.



Here is my crude attempt at cloning him out of the photo.



Pressure in the end zone. The USF QB just got the ball off.


More pressure in the end zone.


Looks like a face mask but no flag was thrown.


Quarterback sack. I took this from way up in the second level.


Cropped version of the above photo.


Final score.

[DS1]

7. Cool!

I'll post the more 'artistic' shots later on, these are just the 'how close can I get to the single point of action' photos

[RagingInMiami]

8. These type of shots are very hard

Especially if you're in the stands with consumer lens. You see the lenses the guys on the sidelines have.

I found a good way to practice these shots is to go out to the local parks and take photos of kids playing flag football. I did that a month ago because the son of a friend of mine was playing.

This is also a good way of making money, something I'm hoping to eventually do, because you can sell prints to the parents.

[RagingInMiami]

9. By the way

I really like the second shot of your photos. Was that an INT or a TD?

[DS1]

10. Interception

Catching that is most likely what's going to get me a contract with the school's PR / Magazine editor. We were both talking about this and that when I saw the pass and got it - she missed - I didn't :D

[RagingInMiami]

11. Very cool

Definitely get a monopod, and if you can, one with a quick release. And one which will allow you to shoot vertical and horizontel shots.

[DS1]

12. two suggestions for a monopod in one thread

:)

[DS1]

13. Well, in a follow up post, strictly for my own benefit

since I'm gathering that pictures without animals or landscapes are verboten around here - I did end up getting a contract thanks to this batch. From now on I'll be documenting events like concerts, games, conferences, ribbon cuttings, and anything else thrown my way.

So, go me.

[RagingInMiami]

14. Congratulations

And you gave me an idea to try to do the same down here with some of the local universities. I'll see how it goes.

Good luck.

[DS1]

15. Thanks!

I'm really looking forward to getting some on-field opportunities - and secretly I've always wanted a "Press" pass to get anywhere :D