Football (Soccer) Action (not American football)

Group shots is something that I have greatly struggled with. I just dither over which player to focus as the ball comes sailing into the box. This shot has got the right players in the focal point, making them lovely and sharp.

First off just beautifully framed shot. Whether this was achieved in camera or with some cropping is null because it has come out really well. The settings have been well chosen, proven by the crisp players with the slight blur on the football to add a dynamic edge to the image. There is however a slight graining pattern which has likely been created in post processing given that the ISO is only at 125. That is my only complaint though; really nice shot and fits my brief perfectly.

Of course some Premier League action was going to find its way in here. Footballers are nice and crisp with a soft background. This would've been higher but I think the framing is a bit off. The feet are cut off at the bottom and there is a lot of empty space in the top right. If this had been a solo shot of the one jumping, the framing would've been spot on. The addition of the teammate offsets the centre point of the subjects so I feel it would've been improved with the centre of the image being somewhere between the two footballers.

Another case of a really well framed shot. A good low f number to provide a very blurred background so all the focus is on the subject. I do question the need for a shutter speed as high as 1/8000. Typically for sports I'd say that 1/2000 is about the limit you need. Still, a really nice, sharp shot.

Something I struggle with with my own shooting, especially at football grounds, is getting an uninteresting background so it doesn't draw the eye away from the subject of the image. This however has got an interesting background that doesn't detract from the subjects. It is aided by the f/3.2 value, creating a very soft and blurred background, but the contrast between the dark clouds and the sunset highlights the contrast on the subject's face. It pushes your eye to their face making the subject much more subconsciously important. A really well executed bit of photography.