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For something different I trundled along to a game of union at Syd uni in the wet, interesting afternoon and took a few pictures and learnt a few lessons. Firstly, I need a camera that can go above iso 800 secondly avoid under exposing when using a high iso - i knew this already but really had little choice.

I am interested in feed back on these few pictures, mainly from a composition point of view - I can't do a great deal about the technical side and camera limitations at this point, however improving the composition is somethign I can definitely work on. I positioned myself on the corner of the field for most of the game mainly 'cause there was a nice big tree stopping me gettign wet, but I have seen pros mainly work at these angles, besides obviously running up and down the field!

I think i will go along to another game soon, especially if the weather is better, the lighting was nice and soft for these ones, however there was just not enough, the ground lights where providing more light than what those clouds were letting through:|

Hi Gerry

I like the composition of the third a lot - really captures the action. It would be better imo if there was all of the tacklers feet in frame and a bit more grass to the left. For some reason I find the bits of turf flying interesting.

The forth is great, would like it more without the humans in the background.

Re the camera that doesnt do well over iso800, I was over at dd today getting a backpack and filters and the price of the d300s sure was tempting. I reckon all us D80 owners should be looking forward to xmas (or earlier). Nikon might even have a new d400 model out for us

As rugby nut, I must say that I enjoy both 1 and 3 a lot.

#1 is a classic rugby pic - halfback ready to pass the ball from the back of a scrum or ruck. Could be a tad better if the players in the background were not chopped off at the torso.

#3 shows action about to happen which creates a bit more tension than action that has happened (#4). It is underexposed as you already know. A bit more light on the tackler's face and it is a winner.

Overall, you have done quite well; and your assessment that you need to be able to use a higher ISO with no noise is spot on (for these conditions, anyway!)

This lens is giving you beautiful contrast!

Love the #3 for it's composition. Wish that the whole foot is included in the left player.

Do you really need to shoot at 1/750 th? Without knowing anything about this sort of shooting, you could got a little leeway there?

Were you shooting with Servo, burst? I think it would be better to use higher ISO with correct exposure rather than lower ISO with underexposure.

whitey wrote:or some reason I find the bits of turf flying interesting.

yeah, its great when you see a frame an theres lotsa churned up mud flying everywhere!

whitey wrote:Re the camera that doesnt do well over iso800, I was over at dd today getting a backpack and filters and the price of the d300s sure was tempting. I reckon all us D80 owners should be looking forward to xmas (or earlier). Nikon might even have a new d400 model out for us

yeah I tend to aviod anything over 800, that said, i remember taking a whole stack at 1200 (different day) and they were all exposed perfectly and they were pretty good. The biggest mistake you can do is under expose, cause the noise then sticks out like dog ....

I am waiting to see whats in my upgrade path now, the D80 for me is still a great camera but mine is gettign a bit old...

the foto fanatic wrote:#1 is a classic rugby pic - halfback ready to pass the ball from the back of a scrum or ruck. Could be a tad better if the players in the background were not chopped off at the torso.

I was in a good possie for these shots, I really love the way it looks like hes about to pass it to me (or the viewer)! I agree with the torso chopped off, I did not even notice that until you pointed it out, I think I would probably go even tighter to isolate just the halfback, next time!

the foto fanatic wrote:higher ISO with no noise is spot on (for these conditions, anyway!)

yeah unfortunately

surenj wrote:Love the #3 for it's composition. Wish that the whole foot is included in the left player.

agreed, one thing i found is that I was just using spot focus which meant I chopped alot of things off just trying to make sure the focus was on the right guy...

surenj wrote:Do you really need to shoot at 1/750 th? Without knowing anything about this sort of shooting, you could got a little leeway there?

I did drop it down to 1/500 at the end, however I noticed some motion blur in reviewing some of the images at the time so I stuck with the higher speed. I also found I was erractically tracking the game which meant i was also trying to freeze that movement as well, i think as you get used to it you can track the play in a more fluid movement and hence get a some shutterspeed up your sleeve.

surenj wrote:This lens is giving you beautiful contrast!

even with teh high iso and underexposure it still did pretty well!

surenj wrote:Were you shooting with Servo, burst?

continous focus with centre spot, it missed alot but the focus speed was still pretty damn good imo - probably more operator error than anything else..

Great set mate! You have captured some moments. I like the last one, you can almost feel the tackle and the desperation.

Last two are great shots, full of depth and action. As for rugby, sorry Gerry, but you can have it. Too many rules and too many prima donna referees...

ozimax wrote:Last two are great shots, full of depth and action. As for rugby, sorry Gerry, but you can have it. Too many rules and too many prima donna referees...

Whereas in league the players only have to be able to count to six, and some of them can't even manage that...

the foto fanatic wrote:

ozimax wrote:Last two are great shots, full of depth and action. As for rugby, sorry Gerry, but you can have it. Too many rules and too many prima donna referees...

Whereas in league the players only have to be able to count to six, and some of them can't even manage that...

Too true. League is a simple game played (and administrated) by simpletons.

I still love it though. Fast, brutal and simple. I have two earned degrees but am still not able to understand rugby.

ozimax wrote:Last two are great shots, full of depth and action. As for rugby, sorry Gerry, but you can have it. Too many rules and too many prima donna referees...

fair call, I have never been a huge fan but I like the fact there is quite an amount of team play and tactics to union which I just can't see in league - although I still enjoy watching the odd friday night league.