[MGphoto]

October 10, 2008 at 9:05 am

You really captured the moment alright, especially the first.

Try switching from the camera’s action programme to shutter or aperture priority. I see you were at 1/640 of a second. Try getting it up to at least 1000/1600 with a wide open aperture to blur coaches and dogs. I had a 350D too so I know they’re not great at a higher ISO but you could try going up to 800 to get a crisp shot.

As Pete said definitely get lower, on your knees.

[MGphoto]

October 9, 2008 at 10:44 am

Had a look at your Leinster shots Paul. Some beautifully captured images and definitely inspiration there for my next game on the 18th. Thanks for the link.

[MGphoto]

October 8, 2008 at 3:19 pm

Thanks for the advice. No problem with lighting, shooting at ISO 1600 on the 5D gives good results. I was using aperture priority to keep it close to wide open getting 1600th – 2000th of a second. It was the first time I tried out my new lens, most of my work would be product shots or new property interiors (not much of that now though). The lens isn’t the best, SIGMA 120-400 mm F4.5-5.6 DG APO OS HSM but not worth my while splashing out in a big way until after this season. First thing I need is a monopod, my arms were in bits afterwards. It made it hard to zoom quickly too which meant cropping some pics more than I’m comfortable with.

Here a few samples from my first outing. My favourite shots are the ones with the most strained expressions.

[MGphoto]

October 8, 2008 at 10:44 am

Cheers, I’ll give that a go at the next game then.

It’s OK I have a real camera, EOS 5D. 8)

[MGphoto]

October 7, 2008 at 9:46 pm

photOvidiu wrote:

I forgot to mention. Auto-focus is an important element so dont forget to set the camera on Continuous-servo AF.

photOvidiu, I had my first commercial rugby match last Saturday. I had the camera on servo AF but wasn’t sure what focusing point/s to use. I started with centre spot focusing but found that occasionally I was getting the fence and spectators way in the background in focus with all the players blurred.

I switched to 9 point focusing which seemed to work much better. I was still disappointed to find the focus on the wrong players some of the time though, especially as some of them looked great apart from the wrong focus point. It’s a bit luck of the draw. Should I just stick with centre focusing and try to be faster at getting the right shot. Not very easy at 400mm though.

Any help much appreciated. The next game is 18th October.
Thanks
Mark

[MGphoto]

September 27, 2007 at 10:43 pm

Don’t be too critical on the over exposed breasts :wink: , it was my first digital camera back in 2003 and I was only getting the hang of it.

[MGphoto]

September 27, 2007 at 9:01 pm

Very good article. I think this applies to pretty much any creative work, although how far can you take this with Irish Business. From my experience (graphic designer and photographer) I have found they rarely appreciate the effort that goes into my work and the time I have spent on my education to achieve the results I deliver to them. I can’t tell you how many time I’ve been told “sher, my daughter could do that” or “I can get that done in India for $100”.

Here’s an excellent argument that may be of interest also http://www.no-spec.com/

Is it as common to be asked by prospective clients to do this kind of (non)commission in photography as it is in graphic design?

[MGphoto]

September 27, 2007 at 1:29 pm

Nice use of depth of field on the pic of the boy standing Sean, well done.

[MGphoto]

September 26, 2007 at 7:42 pm

Just joined myself today. There are sharpness setting in the camera’s set up. I’m using a 350D at the moment which is basically the old version of what you’re using. Ultimately it comes down to your shutter or aperture settings but as Brian C said it may be the shutter release, I had problems with the cheap tripod I was using. I got a really good Manfrotto from Birmingham’s in Dublin and the difference is obvious. Good luck.