Football at Wembley

[Anthony]

In May this year I was able to photograph the Non-League Finals at Wembley Stadium.

The conditions were challenging. The sun was very strong, giving harsh and contrasty light, and there were sharp edged shadows on the pitch. Players rapidly moved from sunlight to shade, and sometimes the background was bright while the player was in the shadow, and vice versa, making metering difficult. Autofocus was easily confused as to which player to select; I found that Dynamic Medium and Wide Area with the vertical zone and Face Recognition worked best.

Here are a few from the day.

[Anthony]

Also.

[Birna Rørslett]

You got good photos the harsh conditions notwithstanding. What gear?

Looked up the event to learn Whitstable won 2-1.

[Ann]

You "caught the moment" (actually many moments!) most effectively despite the difficult shooting situation.

[Thomas Stellwag]

I don´t like football, but your pictures show clearly that they really work for their money, so you and  them did a good job

[Anthony]

Thanks, Birna, Ann and Thomas.

The camera gear was a Z9 with the 100-400 and the Z8 with the 600PF.  Would anyone like to identify which lenses were used for the individual images?

[Frank Fremerey]

In May this year I was able to photograph the Non-League Finals at Wembley Stadium.

The conditions were challenging. The sun was very strong, giving harsh and contrasty light, and there were sharp edged shadows on the pitch. Players rapidly moved from sunlight to shade, and sometimes the background was bright while the player was in the shadow, and vice versa, making metering difficult. Autofocus was easily confused as to which player to select; I found that Dynamic Medium and Wide Area with the vertical zone and Face Recognition worked best.

Here are a few from the day.

It is Always the moment and you obviously know the game enogh to anticipate the critical moment

[Frank Fremerey]

Thanks, Birna, Ann and Thomas.

The camera gear was a Z9 with the 100-400 and the Z8 with the 600PF.  Would anyone like to identify which lenses were used for the individual images?

The first is very useful in the given situation, the second seems to be only good for the opposing side if you are restricted to the press zone on one site or for single player "features"

[Bent Hjarbo]

Very good pictures, got a lot of atmosphere.

[Akira]

I enjoy these excellent captures of tense moments.  Thank you for sharing!

[Anthony]

Frank, Bent and Akira, thank you. I do enjoy action photography, both sport and wildlife.

[armando_m]

Anthony, superb series !