Swimming Shots

[DoWork]

Took This Shot, I really Love It. Thought It would be nice to share it and to get some thoughts from everyone. Also I would like to get anyone with some other swimming shots to post em. I am interested in shooting some Longhorn Aquatics hosted meets in a couple of months and need all the practice and input I can get.

http://dowork.smugmug.com/photos/354876823_eGRaj-L.jpg

[DoWork]

http://dowork.smugmug.com/photos/354876317_RWFNu-L.jpg

[Blaze Z Blaze]

I like your first shot a lot. It would be cool if you got the other swimmers face in the shot. In competitions like swim meets, its good to see the competitors. Gives a since or urgency and/or determination. I am new to the game as well so post your pics up after the swim meet and help me learn as well!

[johng]

Of the 2, the first is better. Second shot isn't sharp enough - guessing since it's the far lane you've just overcropped too much. The first is better, although it's a bit soft as well - again, action probably too far away for the focal length being used.
On the plus side you've caught the face which is essential for most shots (though not all). But, the timing of the stroke is uninteresting. can't tell if it's freestyle or breast. A shot should either capture a great facial expression or at least a sharp face and good demonstration of the stroke.

I would suggest not trying to shoot across the width of the pool unless using at least a 300mm lens though.

[DoWork]

Thanks for the thoughts. I am using a cannon 300mm lens, but you have to stay out of the swimming area during practice. The shot is of a leg drill on a kickboard, thats the reason there is no stroke.

Any thoughts on increasing sharpness either pre or post shot?

[johng]

Any thoughts on increasing sharpness either pre or post shot?

The best way to increase sharpness is to fill the frame with your subject. That can be difficult (or impossible) to do if you don't have access to the pool deck.

[DoWork]

Went Back And Uncropped The Other Swimmer, Your Right Makes All The Difference.

http://dowork.smugmug.com/photos/355762136_DveJz-L.jpg

[JoeL]

Cropping also depends on what your wanting to use the image for.

If you were shooting the kid in the first pic for a specific parent or if its your kid, I would have cropped it a little tighter. Its a good shot but looks a bit oversaturated and a little dark to me..

If you were shooting it as an event type image I would have left it uncropped.

Unless your doing it for specific purposes cropping is just as much a personal preference as the images you take..

[DoWork]

I am changing the shot again to address some of the comments I have received and I must say, they have been very helpful. So here is the final shot and I would like some additional thoughts.

http://dowork.smugmug.com/photos/356353590_zp3mA-L.jpg

[DoWork]

Like This One The Best So Far... Thoughts.

http://dowork.smugmug.com/photos/356457928_DnaRk-L.jpg

[tipstall]

Somehow I got a double post, sorry.

[tipstall]

http://tipstall.smugmug.com/photos/316005009_o7cve-L.jpg

Here is one I shot at a meet.