Sport with a different lens perspective

[wilgk]

At the recent school holidays here, 1 of the Colleges in town hosted a netball tournament, which I was booked to photograph at.
The good news was, a lot of games were outside, the bad news was, the courts were bounded by a wire fence with a very tight runoff for the players/umpires.

I did take some standard shots with the 70-200, but it's nose was too long (even with me outside the fence aiming through the gate) really in the tight space, I actually preferred the 85mm for individual action shots.

I also tried a new perspective with the wide angle 18-35 ones, not what you would normally garb for sport, but the results gave a different look, which I actually liked.
I warned the umpires first where I was going to sit, in a corner & then promised I would not move, so they could run past watching the play & not worry about tripping over me...or my equipment as this camera/lens combo could tuck in close.
Anyway here are some results, comments as always are very much appreciated.

The standard action look...


It's not all about the on court action...


Indoor action, with the 85mm, favourite lens of all I think..


and some with the wide angle..

[dje]

Nice work Kay, you've captured some good action shots there. I like the way you've managed DOF for the different situations. Number 5 is a "ripper".

I warned the umpires first

It's usually the other way round in my experience, they run a very tight ship with players and spectators !

Dave

[Stagecoach]

Good series Kay. As someone that has only recently become interested in photographing sports I find these interesting.

In the 'standard' action shots I wonder if tight crops on these give them more impact, as an example cropping in tighter on the right and top of No 1?

No 5 is a cracker and really emphasises the action taken from, close, low and wide. My first thought was that you lose out by not being able to blur the background to separate the players but the fact that the background now appears farther away solves that problem.

[ST1]

Good work Kay, looks like you had good weather for the outside games

[bnnrcn]

I really like #1 with the shadow

PS. The others are nice too, but I don't usually follow action shots and comment on them, please excuse me

[Rebel]

These are good Kay, you've really frozen the action well!

[IzzieK]

All good shots, Kay...did you use two cameras or you change lens midway...? My vote goes to #2 for the face of that woman -- it is a moment...and #5 -- I like the way that kid's foot somewhat "floats" in action. Excellent shots!

[Shadowman]

Nice captures, images 4-6 really puts the viewer into the action. 2nd image is very humorous.

[D L]

I like these Kay. I love the shadow cast below the player in the first image.

The wide angle shots successfully draw the viewer into the play in my opinion. Good idea.

[Donald]

The wide angles are beauties. Well done, Kay. Not many people would have thought of doing that. And it has worked so well.

[DEAN01]

Great series of action shots, Kay! But I really like the off court shot; it makes me want to know the story behind it.

[wilgk]

C

Nice work Kay, you've captured some good action shots there. I like the way you've managed DOF for the different situations. Number 5 is a "ripper".




It's usually the other way round in my experience, they run a very tight ship with players and spectators !

Dave

Thanks Dave, yes those netball umpires can be fairly severe!

[wilgk]

Good series Kay. As someone that has only recently become interested in photographing sports I find these interesting.

In the 'standard' action shots I wonder if tight crops on these give them more impact, as an example cropping in tighter on the right and top of No 1?

No 5 is a cracker and really emphasises the action taken from, close, low and wide. My first thought was that you lose out by not being able to blur the background to separate the players but the fact that the background now appears farther away solves that problem.

Thanks Graheme, I will look at other crops on some, good idea.

[wilgk]

I really like #1 with the shadow

PS. The others are nice too, but I don't usually follow action shots and comment on them, please excuse me

Binnur, no need to apologise, there are so many different genres of photography here, we cannot comment on all, Thankyou for viewing.

[wilgk]

All good shots, Kay...did you use two cameras or you change lens midway...? My vote goes to #2 for the face of that woman -- it is a moment...and #5 -- I like the way that kid's foot somewhat "floats" in action. Excellent shots!

Thanks Izzie, I did have access to a second camera body, I had 1 on a black rapid strap, that I could sling behind me & hand held the other.

[wilgk]

The wide angles are beauties. Well done, Kay. Not many people would have thought of doing that. And it has worked so well.

Thankyou Donald, it was a case of necessity was the mother of the invention/idea, but it did work out in this case.

[wilgk]

Great series of action shots, Kay! But I really like the off court shot; it makes me want to know the story behind it.

Thankyou Dean, the tournament involved schools from NZ & Australia, who have a long history of sporting battles!
This NZ team were beaten by an Australian school (this year's hosts) by 1 goal last year. This was the last 1/4 changeover huddle & their girls had come from behind to be level, the tension was high.... They went on to win by 1 point.
It was a wonderful experience & several of the girls gave me cards & gifts in appreciation of my work, which was icing on the cake.

[Loose Canon]

Hi Kay!

All of these are great.

But the wide angles are really cool with the fifth one really showing a great example.

Great choice.

[wilgk]

Hi Kay!

All of these are great.

But the wide angles are really cool with the fifth one really showing a great example.

Great choice.

Thanks Terry! I always appreciate your kind & encouraging comments

[dedro]

very nice Kay