My soccer season is winding down tomorrow. I just have 3 games left to shoot. I think my favorite day this fall was the day with the 5 year-olds. Here are some from that day...

#1


#2 Keep in mind that they play 3 v 3 at this age. I love how at this age it is all about kicking the ball


#3 Gotta have a tongue sticking out shot...


#4 And the hair in the face shot...


#5 Coaching them up...


Here are a couple for some slightly older kids..

#6 Who scored and who did not?


#7 Ouch. 'nuff said about that...

Nice job!!

These are perfect. Great exposure and perspective.

Great job. Kidds soccer is a lot of fun.
What equipment did you use? 2.8 something I'm sure.

Originally Posted by Scott293 Nice job!!

Thanks Scott.

Originally Posted by jmphotocraft These are perfect. Great exposure and perspective.

Originally Posted by jimqjr Great job. Kidds soccer is a lot of fun. What equipment did you use? 2.8 something I'm sure.

Everything but #2 were with the D700 + 300 2.8. #2 was with the 70-200.

Originally Posted by Mike J Everything but #2 were with the D700 + 300 2.8. #2 was with the 70-200.

Exif data says several were taken with the 70-200/2.8....?

Originally Posted by jmphotocraft Exif data says several were taken with the 70-200/2.8....?

Oops - you're right. #1 and #2 were with the 70-200/2.8.

And 6 and 7.

Originally Posted by jmphotocraft And 6 and 7.

Ugh...

Very nice indeed! It looks like you were sitting on the ground to get these shots; if so, good call. One of the classic rookie mistakes is to shoot standing up. ANd with little kids, even a short camping stool is too high.

Originally Posted by jhefti Very nice indeed! It looks like you were sitting on the ground to get these shots; if so, good call. One of the classic rookie mistakes is to shoot standing up. ANd with little kids, even a short camping stool is too high.

Thanks John - I was probably sitting squarely on my butt for the youngest kids and on my knees for the older kids. Getting down on the ground is the 1st thing I tell parents who are shooting nearby that I'm chatting with during the games. It really is amazing the different makes.

When you are shooting the Earthquake games, are you standing with a monopod? By the way, I'm on the wait list for season passes for the Timbers next year. Hopefully they can start winning a few more games...

Originally Posted by Mike J Thanks John - I was probably sitting squarely on my butt for the youngest kids and on my knees for the older kids. Getting down on the ground is the 1st thing I tell parents who are shooting nearby that I'm chatting with during the games. It really is amazing the different makes

Gah!! Never tell them that! Then they won't need to buy your photos! ;)

I've had parents with DSLRs ask me howcome their shots don't look like mine, as I'm sitting or kneeling on the ground. I kid them that it's a secret, and they go back to shooting standing up, lol!

I especially love when I see a parent shooting standing up with a monopod attached to the bottom of their camera body.

Originally Posted by Mike J When you are shooting the Earthquake games, are you standing with a monopod? By the way, I'm on the wait list for season passes for the Timbers next year. Hopefully they can start winning a few more games...

I shoot soccer and most other professional sports sitting on a camping stool, with a monopod on my larger lens/body combo. For MLB, I am usually in a well, so the camera is a foot or so above field level. I try never to stand, with a few notable exceptions.

Yeah, the Quakes have had a good year; and it's worth pointing out that they never managed to beat the Timbers this past season. I don't know why, but there it is...

Originally Posted by jmphotocraft Gah!! Never tell them that! Then they won't need to buy your photos! ;) I've had parents with DSLRs ask me howcome their shots don't look like mine, as I'm sitting or kneeling on the ground. I kid them that it's a secret, and they go back to shooting standing up, lol! I especially love when I see a parent shooting standing up with a monopod attached to the bottom of their camera body.

I'm usually pretty good about giving advice, but the most common question I get is what camera I use. I guess I am too modest to explain that, yes, a good camera makes a difference, but user skill is the main ingredient. I usually just respond with the simple statement, 'I shoot with Canon equipment.'

My favorite are the parents with cameras on tripods near the center line, especially if they are sporting a high end piece of equipment (though a point-and-shoot on a tripod is even funnier). I even had one guy replace his camera when his shots weren't as good as mine.