Just Missed

[Old Timer]

Just missed, both the receiver and the photographer. He was coming at me full speed and I was about 30 yards down field but with a 300mm on it was just impossible to get everything in the frame.

[fidgety]

Don't ya just hate that!! Still, a very nice snap.

[OldClicker]

I was looking at some shots of a pro game earlier today and he had three of a reception at the sideline just outside the end zone. There were a bunch of photogs about 10 yards away with their 600s just watching the play. - TF

[SenorNikonMan]

People don't realize how tough football photography is. Especially at night in poorly lit stadiums. Not only do you have to be in the right spot at the right time, but you also have to anticipate where the action is going to be and then you have the right lens to capture that action. Even if you do all that right, chances are that another player or a ref will run right in front of you and block your shot just as you're taking it.

Even I used to take those great shots in magazines like Sports Illustrated for granted but now that I do sports photography myself, I am in awe of what the images they are able to capture.

[SmartWombat]

SI do it with multiple photographers for the big games, so at least one may not have a zebra in the way.

[racedraper]

i was also told by a pro football photog that he puts his lens on infinity and just holds donw the shutter at the endzone.

[SenorNikonMan]

i was also told by a pro football photog that he puts his lens on infinity and just holds donw the shutter at the endzone.

Really? I don't see how that would work. Putting your lens on ifinity does not mean that everything in the frame will be in focus. Unless you're shooting under very bright lights or in the sunshine, your depth of field is going to be pretty shallow so even if you have your lens pointed in the right direction the odds of getting the player scoring the TD in focus are pretty low. Even with an autofocus lens, it could focus on the stands on the other side of the field or on another player that has nothing to do with scoring the TD.