[stepheno]

....from my sons' match this afternoon. TFL

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[Dave]

How did you find it Stephen, as I struggle to find the right shots at matches ?

[stepheno]

I've been photographing football for a couple of years now and I would say it's taken that long to learn. I do it for a web-site for the team which you can have a look at here. You can see how my ability has evolved but also the change in kit. The first year and a half was with a Fujifilm S602 Pro, thereafter with a Canon 20D and 30D. Also, last year was using my Tamron 18-200 which quite frankly doesn't cut it for sport. Since last February I've used a Canon 70-300 IS USM. The extra 100 is great but you either need L glass and/or IS.

The main problem photographically, as I'm sure you are aware, is being able to get a fast enough shutter speed and for that you need a very fast lens or IS and a camera that delivers good shots at high ISO. In this department, next on my list is the Canon 100-400. I know some people wil say "why not a fast 300 or 400 prime". Well I prefer the latitude of distance or close-up and I don't have two bodies like the pros

Of my own ability it is, like everything else a learning curve. Trying to get the ball in the shot, anticipation of where players and the ball will be, pre-focussing and also looking for a good crop afterwards. My best tips are firstly the ability to look through the viewfinder with one eye and somewhere else with the other (particularly at set pieces). Secondly, the need to correlate what you see with what you here. You may not be pointing at the player with the ball and cant see him but you can always here the kick which gives an idea of when to shoot.

But hey....I'm no expert at this. These are just what I find are important to me.