Big Swings

wmstumme

Tried to focus on catching girls in mid-swing in the last games I shot. It's kinda difficult because the rules in field hockey are rather strict about the stick or the ball coming up off the ground. Basically, in a crowd its a no-no; out in the open, it's usually okay.

Here's what I got from JV and Varsity games a couple of days ago. Adding to the difficulty was lighting--harsh sun and shadows falling increasingly over the field as the afternoon went on...

From JV:







Varsity: (These next two, I had the camera set at aperature priority, but hadn't adjusted the ISO as the sun was disappearing--so I'm getting a bit of blur--however, I think it may help to show the motion a bit more...)





I know these next two violate the "show the face" rule, but I like them anyway. She's a great player and always around the ball so I've got a ton of shots with her face anyway....





Any other FH shooters have anything?

ASkip

Ohh, field hockey. I've been to one game, so hard to take pictures with all the bending over and looking at the ground. But at least they don't wear those hideous lacrosse masks... nice pictures!
anna

RedFish71`

that's a sport i have never seen before! looks interesting!

in the first one, i would tone down the highlights...the socks and the guy in the t shirt in the bg. it really distracts from the action or center of interest...the girls face. the second, i really like!!! the third looks just a wee bit soft and i'd like to see a little more on the right frame as to not cut off so much of the player there. or just crop her off entirely to really hone in on the real action. four and five i'd boost the contrast a little to give it some more pop!! and also check the white balance. not sure, but i think i see a blue cast, which is normal in shady conditions sometimes. as far as the last two go, i'm a rule breaker too!! who cares about the face if the action is cool!! i'd just crop as verticals.

thanks for sharing. i'll have to check out that sport next time i see it!!!

Icebear

I'm NOT Hijacking!!
Really! Will came up with the idea for this "Big Swings" thread and asked me to post some shots. Anybody who thinks girls' sports are "gentle" just hasn't been paying attention. And I don't think women have to wear head-gear in lacrosse (like the boys do.)

1.

2.


3. OK, this one DID draw a whistle.


4.


5.


6. And maybe my personal fave . . .

Icebear

Ouch
Sometimes those Big Swings go terribly wrong. Tonight for example. She was down for a while. Of course I was on the wrong side of the field, but I don't know I'd have invaded the poor girl's privacy anyway by shooting her agonized face. She's a high schooler, after all. Fortunately the official with the radio did not have to call for an ambulance.



ISO 3200 by the way.

wmstumme

There's no hijacking here! Anyone else got any contributions?

Icebear--great shots! In particular--I like the effect in your #3 with the grass/dirt flying up.

I've got a couple more from a game on Monday--that I haven't been able to clean up yet. I'll try and post these in the next day or so...

This was a thought icebear and I came up with to try capture a particular aspect of FH--in this series, big swings. It was interesting in that sometimes the shots that fit the theme were not the photos from the game that I was most pleased with. Redfish71 was dead on with his critiques on mine. I think I got focused on the swing and didn't really address the weaknesses (like lack of contrast) which really stand out now that he mentions them.

wmstumme

Just two more pairs from a game early this past week:

Icebear

Man, it must have been tough to officiate that game. Somebody should have done a better job coordinating uniform choices! Good shots, Will. And better processing too.