[Tobers]

So the learning plan for today was to shoot with 2 bodies, and then caption & wire the pics from pitchside whilst the game was in progress.

I blagged another 1Dmk3 with a 70-200 2.8 IS from a trusting fellow polo shooter and got on with it. By the way, I should mention that it was really very cold. I'd ridden in on my motorbike to avoid the notorious traffic around the Madjeski stadium in Reading and I was already frozen when I arrived despite heated waistcoat and grips. However, I was prepared with 2 thermal tops, thermal bottoms, hat, gloves etc. so I was quite comfortable when out at the pitch.

Using 2 bodies isn't all that tricky. I had the body with the 300 on the monopod for the majority of shooting, and the 70-200 in easy reach down by my side. I figured out the changeover zone that the players would run into at which point I'd need to swap. When the action is really fast though, I didn't bother switching as I'd rather have a close in shot than no shot at all.

I had my crappy laptop running Lightroom next to me and a spare CF card to hand. After a particular spurt of action I'd pop the CF card out of the camera, into the PC and drag the pics down into Lightroom. Whilst that was happening I'd have popped the spare CF card in, formatted it and kept shooting. Also, the CD card in each 1D was left in constantly to ensure I had a 2nd copy of all shots just in case (I was using the "record to both cards" option). This is a great feature. When the play was down the other end (rarely in this game) or if there was an injury, penalty etc I'd grab the laptop, select the best pic from the previous action sequence, caption it and export it up by FTP.

Captioning is getting easier as I'm remembering to shoot a "back shot" of the player of interest as they walk away from the action to get their number. Also, I've taken to studying team sheet mugshots to better identify the players, and taking note of tape on their arms, colour of boots, headgear etc. Still, didn't stop me cocking up one of the captions where I took a back shot of the wrong guy. Doh!

I have tried tethered shooting straight to the laptop which should be easier, but there's some sort of weird thing in Canon Utilities which sets my exposure lock on my camera which is a bad thing. I need to work that out as its much easier than swapping cards everywhere. To be honest though, there was no real need for speed on this game, but I need to be ready for when there is.

Regarding other technical details, I shot in Av mode for the first half as it was sunshine gradually getting dimmer and then into floodlights. In the 2nd half I shot manual on the 300 and Av on the 70-200 after getting the ISO right. The reason was that the light was varied in the corner of the pitch where I was using the 70-200 and I didn't want to faff about in with exposure settings and miss the action. ISO started at 640 and went up to 2000.

Excuse the watermarks .

#1 Supporters

#2 Topsy Ojo going over for the first of many London Irish tries.

#3 No stopping them

#4 Looks a bit like a body check to me.

#5 No wonder Newcastle lost. See them all standing around as Tonga Lea'aetoa jogs past them.

#6 Winner! Man of the match Declan Danaher - flanker.

#7 Loser! Big time. Newcastle were really really bad. Steve Bates, Newcastle director of rugby, has some thinking to do.

Cheers!

Tobers

[onefivenine]

Wow peachy shots Tobers. You're running away with the ball now mate, with this sport togging lark!

[icemanonline]

Cracking set Tobers. Really well taken.

Is that Topsy Ojo in No2 related to Frank Bruno cos he really looks like Im......... Arry!!

icemanonline

[Tobers]

Got to say that I had a look-see at the Getty guy's shots from today and I think I'm probably doing OK. You can check them out by googling "getty images sports" and finding the London Irish game in there. I'd give you a direct link but my laptop is so old it wont load the Getty site.

Interestingly, he decided to sit up in the stands (the one behind one goal was closed) so he had a different viewpoint. For me, an elevated viewpoint doesn't work as well as a very low shot but there you go. Also, he spotted some interesting light as the sun set and did a few wide angle shots of the whole stadium. Interesting, but I think it would have worked better in a full Twickenham rather than a half-empty Madjeski!

Mind you, it makes you think about doing things differently. That's partly why I ditched the long lens with 4 mins to go and went seeking grumpy Newcastle coaching staff - result!

[onefivenine]

I had a look at the getty shots and think your's are much better.
There are come nice stadium landscapes and some try shots on getty, but they seem to have too high a vantage point or aren't that sharp and generally lack the 'pop', 'xfactor' - that your's possess. Your's look much better angled from pitch level, and the colours are mindblowing, and they are much sharper.
You're doing a bit more than OK!

[Sicknote10]

Very nice! Have also looked at the Getty ones, photos with crowd bokeh in the background always look better than just a blurry green one imo

Were most of those with the 70-200? Ah can't wait to get a 1d

[Tobers]

Thanks!

Most of them with the 300. The manager and man of the match shots were with the 70-200 as were a bunch of others I haven't put up.

To be fair I think the shots on the Getty site are very low res and low dpi so wont look verly sharp. The composition is a different kettle of fish though. I guess that when everyone else is shooting from low level its worth trying a different vantage point.

[Bristol Pete]

Another great set and continuing to improve shoot in, shoot out. 3 and 5 are class. I love the way he is leaning into the frame. Nice one.

[denno75uk]

Great shots there Tobers. #2 and #3 are great captures and excellent photos. Nice one on the write up too. Always makes for an interesting read.
Must say, things are changing round here. What with your regular rugby stuff and Pete now doing landscapes..... Inspiration for us all to go and try something a bit different.

[Holowlegs]

Andy I think this is your best set so far, you really can see the improvement.

Cheers Holo

[Gordon @ Convergent AV]

Excellent technical write up followed with some cracking shots....nice work. Hope you get some dosh for them

[ryanyboy]

Brilliant Tobers!! Number 5 is an absolute corker - is it the paper today? Should be if it's not

Well played chap

[tunnacliffe]

Great shots and nice writeup!
I've managed to get a chance to go to Marine FC (local football team) for photos on match days, any advice on what to take? My equipment isn't the best but I thought it would be a good learning experience and they are happy to let me attend each game!

[Tobers]

Originally Posted by ryanyboy

Brilliant Tobers!! Number 5 is an absolute corker - is it the paper today? Should be if it's not

Well played chap

I've pinged some shots to a few of the papers - we'll see what happens tomorrow but it's a tricky one to get into the nationals.

Originally Posted by tunnacliffe

Great shots and nice writeup!
I've managed to get a chance to go to Marine FC (local football team) for photos on match days, any advice on what to take? My equipment isn't the best but I thought it would be a good learning experience and they are happy to let me attend each game!

I'm hardly one to give advice after such a small amount of experience so far, but here goes. Take warm clothes and a hat! Take a small stool to sit on as shots from lower down look better. Gear-wise, the widest aperture lens that you can find, preferably 300mm. Any longer would be a waste. A 200mm (like a 70-200) might do the trick for close-in stuff. If the light is low, you need f/2.8.

Try and fill the frame. Dont bother if the action is too far away - you'll end up with rubbish that you need to crop to smithereens. Wait for it to come to you. If it doesn't you're sitting in the wrong place. Get faces looking towards the camera whilst in action, and with the ball in shot. It's easy really .

[booyaka]

quality as always Tobers - nice little write up as well. will check out the getty shots once i "tidy the bloody study room will ya!!!!" (quoted from the wife!)

[TonyH]

fantastic as always, I guess the new watermark is less easy to crop out.

[tunnacliffe]

Thanks for the tips
The only telephoto lens I have at the moment is 70-300 f4-5.6 so its going to be around 200mm @ f4.5 I guess. Do you think that would be ok or not long/quick enough? I know the ground is only very small so that might help in my favour!
Everythings a learning curve anyway so Im sure theres no harm in going to the nexr homegame, a local derby, and take some shos and see how they turn out. I emailed them and they seemed happy to let me go, I just need to let them know if I am going prior to the match or not!

[Tobers]

Originally Posted by tunnacliffe

Thanks for the tips
The only telephoto lens I have at the moment is 70-300 f4-5.6 so its going to be around 200mm @ f4.5 I guess. Do you think that would be ok or not long/quick enough? I know the ground is only very small so that might help in my favour!

As you say, no harm in going there and giving it a go. I think you'll find you're at 5.6 after 150mm or so so it'll be tricky if the light is bad. Try and keep the shutter speed up at 1/500th or above if possible by bumping the ISO up. Good luck!

[iGiDK]

These are excellent Tobers, very impressed with this set

[paulwIre]

A real nice set, especially 5 which stands out.

I agree with your tips - hat and warm clothes are critical. Gloves can sometimes work, but sometimes they get in the way.