First soccer game

[waoldrifleman]

Saturday was the first game I tried to shoot. Learned a lot about position and checking settings (Af in one shot for 1st Half). Here are a couple

1

Make = Canon
Model = Canon EOS REBEL T2i
Orientation = top/left
X Resolution = 350
Y Resolution = 350
Resolution Unit = inch
Software = Digital Photo Professional
Date Time = 2010-09-11 15:11:03
Artist =
YCbCr Positioning = centered
Copyright = Editor:
Exif IFD Pointer = Offset: 260
[Camera]
Exposure Time = 1/3200"
F Number = F2.8
ISO Speed Ratings = 200
Exif Version = Version 2.21
Date Time Original = 2010-09-11 15:11:03
Date Time Digitized = 2010-09-11 15:11:03
Components Configuration = YCbcr
Shutter Speed Value = 11.63 TV
Aperture Value = 3 AV
Exposure Bias Value = ±0EV
Flash = Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode
Focal Length = 200mm
Maker Note = 4140 Byte
User Comment =


2


[Image]
Make = Canon
Model = Canon EOS REBEL T2i
Orientation = top/left
X Resolution = 350
Y Resolution = 350
Resolution Unit = inch
Software = Digital Photo Professional
Date Time = 2010-09-11 15:23:20
Artist =
YCbCr Positioning = centered
Copyright = Editor:
Exif IFD Pointer = Offset: 260
[Camera]
Exposure Time = 1/3200"
F Number = F2.8
ISO Speed Ratings = 200
Exif Version = Version 2.21
Date Time Original = 2010-09-11 15:23:20
Date Time Digitized = 2010-09-11 15:23:20
Components Configuration = YCbcr
Shutter Speed Value = 11.63 TV
Aperture Value = 3 AV
Exposure Bias Value = ±0EV
Flash = Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode
Focal Length = 70mm
Maker Note = 4140 Byte
User Comment =
Flashpix Version = Version 1.0
Color Space = sRGB

3

Make = Canon
Model = Canon EOS REBEL T2i
Orientation = top/left
X Resolution = 350
Y Resolution = 350
Resolution Unit = inch
Software = Digital Photo Professional
Date Time = 2010-09-11 15:29:02
Artist =
YCbCr Positioning = centered
Copyright = Editor:
Exif IFD Pointer = Offset: 260
[Camera]
Exposure Time = 1/3200"
F Number = F2.8
ISO Speed Ratings = 200
Exif Version = Version 2.21
Date Time Original = 2010-09-11 15:29:02
Date Time Digitized = 2010-09-11 15:29:02
Components Configuration = YCbcr
Shutter Speed Value = 11.63 TV
Aperture Value = 3 AV
Exposure Bias Value = ±0EV
Flash = Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode
Focal Length = 200mm
Maker Note = 4140 Byte
User Comment =
Flashpix Version = Version 1.0

[Bruceswar]

ISO Speed Ratings = 200 <--- Crank that to 400 or so, as you will be able to get a bit more pop to it.

[waoldrifleman]

Originally Posted by Bruceswar

ISO Speed Ratings = 200 <--- Crank that to 400 or so, as you will be able to get a bit more pop to it.

To do that I would also have to drop my Aperature from 2.8 to 4 or my SS will go under the min of 1/4000. I had never heard that a higher ISO would yield more pop. interesting

[Bruceswar]

Originally Posted by waoldrifleman

To do that I would also have to drop my Aperature from 2.8 to 4 or my SS will go under the min of 1/4000. I had never heard that a higher ISO would yield more pop. interesting

Well it depends, Shooting at 400 and 200 in sun is not much different, but should help with the exposure levels just a bit. When shooting in AV mode, move a click up with the exposure. If you feel that is a bit much once getting back to the pc, you can always correct it. In your case you were hitting at 3200, so it is safe to assume it was either A) cloudy or B) getting late in the day. This is the perfect time to bump the ISO up just a tad. You can stay at 2.8 without any problems. Try it out and see what you think.

[JohnG]

Bumping up the ISO will provide no benefit. The only reason to bump ISO is to get faster shutter speeds. The OP is getting 1/3200 shutter speeds - motion blur is not a problem here. going from 1/3200 to 1/4000 shutter speeds isn't going to make an improvement here. And, as pointed out it can lead to overexposure because of the 1/4000 shutter speed limit. No, the OP is correct - bumping up the ISO will potentially cause harm and provide zero benefit.

They do look a bit soft though. Are they sharper on your computer? If so then the re-size is to blame. The grass in the shots tells me DOF is around the players so it doesn't look like missed focus. Are these cropped shots or original framing? The softness is likely either due to overcropping or resizing. Also, if you haven't applied USM that could be an issue as well.

[waoldrifleman]

Thanks John, I had seen references to USM, but had never used it. I had used the sharpness bar in DPP, but that is different I believe.

[Mark1616]

With getting 1/3200 shutter speed I would have been happy to shoot at ISO 100, however there is no need as noise is nominal at 200 on the T2i. As has been said going to ISO 400 would be very much the wrong move, even if you had the ability for the shutter speed, as with the higher ISO you will be losing dynamic range so keeping it at ISO 100 or 200 is far better. Obviously when your shutter speed it below 1/1000s then pump the ISO a bit to get it back over, but apart from that keep noise out and dynamic range up.

As for USM or unsharp mask, this is a sharpening method found in photoshop, paintshop pro etc, it is the final stage I do in all my post processing, be it for print or for web use. It will help lift your photos more if you didn't do it. Applying sharpening in DPP is fine, however when you resize you don't see the benefits as they are pretty much lost in the process.

Anyway, moving to the photos, looks like you had a great time. I would get lower if possible next time out, I always sit, this is even more important with little players so you are not shooting down on to them.

Looking forward to your next time out.