Soccer C&C

cornerkick

Hi:

I am a Dad looking to improve his shooting skills and welcome C&C on photo (photos - as soon as I learn how I can upload more than one) and appreciate comments and critiques on how to improve.

Thanks

johng

OK - on the plus side, the shot is great timing.
But, where it can improve is:
1) It's way too loosely framed. Too much deadspace. We know she's playing soccer so all the grass doesn't help. The other players aren't involved in the play so they don't contribute either.
2) your exposure is being controlled by the white highlights in the uniform. As a result the majority of the photo is underexposed. You can correct in post processing, but I say - keep it simple. Adjust your exposure in camera so it's exposing for faces. My preference is to shoot manual exposure unless the sun is moving in and out of clouds. You then monitor the exposures you're getting and change as necessary when sun changes or when you change shooting position. If you're shooting in aperture priority mode then use exposure compensation. Honestly, cameras don't have the dynamic range to get both bright highlights and everything else in the exposure. Most people won't notice or care if highlights in a white jersey are blown. but seeing FACES improves every photo.

cornerkick

johng:

Thank you for your comments. In reviewing posts & photos here, I agree with your comments that I need to capture more of the action and less of the field. Also, your points are well taken on exposure as I am shooting in Aperture priority mode and, as you say, it goes from sunny to cloudy and back. Most of the shots I take are cropped occasionally to eliminate dead space (in this case, I did not) but I do no post processing.

I will try out your suggestions and see the improvements.

Thanks

travischance

cornerkick wrote: »

johng:

Thank you for your comments. In reviewing posts & photos here, I agree with your comments that I need to capture more of the action and less of the field. Also, your points are well taken on exposure as I am shooting in Aperture priority mode and, as you say, it goes from sunny to cloudy and back. Most of the shots I take are cropped occasionally to eliminate dead space (in this case, I did not) but I do no post processing.

I will try out your suggestions and see the improvements.

Thanks

John provided me with great advice a few months back on some baseball photos I'd posted. I had similar issues that you have: blown highlights on the uniforms, too much dead space & the players faces were too dark. After cropping tighter & dodging the players faces, my photos turned out much better. . .