How I Shoot Soccer Photographs

Av - I shoot primarily in Aperture Priority Mode, and I have the lens, in my case an f/5.6, wide open at f/5.6.  This does two things:  it maximizes the light coming into your lens so the shutter can go as fast as it possibly can, and ‘freeze’ a running player, and it provides the shortest ‘depth of field’ so that the player is sharp, but the background is not.  Compositionally, this identifies the subject of the photograph in a very pleasing manner.

ISO - I pump up the ISO to a medium level so I can have my shutter speed nice and fast, but not so high that I begin to introduce unnecessary noise.

Focusing - The automatic focus setting on my Canon DLSR is set at ‘AI Servo’ — This is probably the trickiest part.  In this mode, the camera tracks the moving player so you have the best chance of having them sharp when you hit the shutter button. 

Monopod - I use a monopod to steady my camera (and take a load off!). It’s an easy way to add sharpness to your photographs, while still being able to move around quickly.  I shoot soccer with a fairly large 400mm prime lens, at at that focal length, the monopod is even more important.

Anticipate - I try to anticipate where the action will be, whether it’s trying to get a header, a goalie save, or a corner kick, and the post-goal celebration shots are priceless.  (Also, if I’m going for the fully extended windup before a Goal Kick or a Free Kick, I don’t just rapid fire on the shutter button.  I’ve found I get much better results if I just time it to hit the button at just the right moment.  Takes some practice, but it comes pretty naturally after a while.)

Be in the Game -  I move around with the play,  to change my perspective and catch the light differently.  I kneel down most of the time — this get me more on the level of the kids and gets their heads up in the sky.  (With great interest, I heard a photographer on a podcast describe his custom-made pants with knee pads built-in.  I think that would be all I’d need to have my family completely disown me!)

Finally, edit ruthlessly.   Sometimes I make slideshows with the photograph for the end of season party, although lately I’m more into the standalone photograph, which I post for player and parents.  Either way, I my selects are only the best of the best.  Although I might pick 10 or so out of a game to post, my goal really is only to get one really, really good shot of each kid on the team that is a candidate to hang on the wall.

Good luck, keep moving around, try new things, have fun and keep shooting.

Rocky Mountain Joe, Boulder, Colo.

A Rocky Mountain Joe® Nugget

Boulder, Colorado 2010-04-18

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