Do the Rules Apply to Sports Photography

I've been going through my sports pics lately and realize they don't fit the 'rules' I've learned. For example, most of my horizon lines are in the middle, and they don't always fill the frame b/c I want to get more than on child in the picture as well as the ball. It is also difficult to follow the ROT when the action is so fast. Is this okay, or is it a big no-no. Any input is always greatly appreciated.

i don't shoot sports- but I do shoot a lot of fast kiddos...

the best thing I can say is to anticipate some shots so you can get some technical aspects- this could only improve your over all shooting. Know what exposure you need to be at -  and instead of chasing the shot you want- anticipate what is about to happen and have your camera set up to get *that* shot.

Not sure how Nikon terms are but if the fuction Al Servo would be a good setting since it is focusing on a moving subject.

I have never shot sports for any artistic purpose, only for my family albums---so I don't know much....BUT I do know that RLR is right, you just anticipate the action. If you are prepared for where the action will occur, you hopefully will be set up to get a good angle and a good shot. For example, you probably either want to fill the frame with your interesting subject, or use a shallow dof to isolate someone, or if its of an action, you may want your person facing toward the inside of the frame rather than a person on the edge of the frame looking out--kwim? (which would use the rule of thirds) So I would guess that even in sports photography that certain "rules" will make the composition more powerful, and anticipation will be the thing that gets you there. However, I cannot say that i know that for fact because I have only read like two articles on sports photography. I think the big thing with sports photography is "getting the shot", and that requires anticipation.  I looked at some sports illustrated photography, and I see some filling the frame, unique perspective, triangular composition, rule of thirds, lots of selective focus--shallow dof and stuff like that.  lets see your pics! :)

I think it also depends on what your goal is with the pictures. Are they artistic or documentary?

Both I think. Documentary b/c we make dvd's set to music of the kids season and artistic b/c..... well just b/c, lol.

It's hard for me to get out of S priority when shooting sports b/c everything I ever read told me that's what you do. I feel like it's cheating to be on P.

I got a bunch more pics tonight, just need to get some up for c&c.

Also Tammi I read to set AF to 21pt instead of 51pt so that's what I've done but I thought the whole 3d tracking was for sports. Is that right?

Okay, these are from tonights game. These are SOOC in S priority 80-200mm f2.8 lens. I tried to pick ones I liked and where you couldn't really see the boys faces for privacy sake. I was only at the 2nd half of the game b/c dd #3 had ballet. I took about 150 pics and deleted almost 60 right away.

Hit me with the c&c.

I am short on time, so forgive the quick post! :)

1) whatever type of pictures you intend to have, rules of composition do not have to apply if you don't want! :) You don't have to use any of them, they are just intended to give you a more powerfull overall image....as long as you use one that gives you the feeling that you want. make sense? there are times when you are going to say, I like this image with the subject smack in the center, and usually when people have  a reason for it, it works! The main purpose is to keep people from constantly putting the subject smack in the middle with lots of irrelevant space or clutter around the subject.

2) for priority mode, you can adjust both the aperture and shutter if you want and it over-rides the camera's settings, the camera in turn compensates. Priority is not auto. IMO its a way to bounce back and forth between aperture and shutter priority without actually doing so. LOL also, my wed-photog friend went to a Dennis Reggie --thing---I'm drawing a blank. She went to his hometown and learned hands on from him--a GIANT among wedding photogs--he has done celebrity weddings for decades and he makes 50,000 per wedding or more. He's a southern gentleman too. Not that that matters, it just makes him more likable. :) Anyhow, he told the people that "P is for professional". LOL So don't be afraid to use it. Although I understand that--I am afraid to leave my comfort zone- manual. Totally afraid. Partly of giving up control, and partly of becoming too comfortable and not feeling comfortable going back to manual!

3) I believe that the 3d tracking uses colors moving to track your subject, so if you encounter any problems with that working  to your benefit, it could be because of more than one subject with the same color moving in different directions--kwim? the camera may not know which moving boy with a red shirt is the one you want. If it is working the way you hope, that's great! there's a lot to learn about the d300's autofocus modes!

Thanks Tammi, I feel better, lol.

I have stuch with 21pt focusung, continuos mode. I'll probably try P mode next game, which is tomorrow.

BTW, I'd love some C&C for the above pics.

this is the best way I could find to do this --pics with comments :) sorry it took me so long. I kept trying to find more than a few seconds here or there. :)

I think i like this one the best--you can see there is some action and you can see expressions in their faces.

I really like this one too:

I like this because you can really see the action, but i think you should try to crop out the kids standing to the left-jmo :)  maybe crop a little tighter all around.

I don't know much about lacrosse, but i like this one; it really shows the action but i wish we could see the ball in the air. :) makes it more interesting  :) Also i'd crop this one tighter. the open space outside seems unnecessary--could be just me. :)

I know that i  don't know a lot about lacrosse, but here's what I think :) get in tighter sometimes-- capture expressions thru the masks, get the ball in the air more and try for some different angles. I know that last part especially doesn't sound fun--i don't think i'd have the nerve to lay on the ground for one of my kids games LOL so you might have to scratch that last idea especially. LOL all and all i think its going to be more difficult to critique a picture that concerns a sport I know nothing about. LOL If we were talking baseball though....that's another story. LOL

Jennifer, I think you're doing great. I know the times I've tried to capture action like this I've ended up really frustrated - so few keepers. All I can suggest is that maybe a longer focal length would avoid some of the background elements like the houses and kids on the sidelines and like Tammi said, focus more on the kids' faces. It is so hard to do though and keep your camera steady. Maybe try bringing a monopod to help stop the action - it might also be fun to play with a slower shutter speed to create some motion blur. Just throwing out some ideas - I really know nothing about sports photography except how hard it is!

Thank you so much for the input! I haven't been around lately, things have been a bit crazy around here.

I do have close ups of the boys faces, but wasn't sure if I could/should post them for privacy reasons. I was hoping these were less recognizable pictures of the boys on the team.

I will go re-through and crop out some of the distractions in the back ground. I have to get more focused on the editing part and I would love to get a bit braver and play with slower shutter speeds.

I have also been looking into monopods, my lens gets a bit heavy after an hour of continuos holding. Can anyone recommend one?