Let me put one thing straight: I am an amateur photographer! In other words it’s a hobby. I have a ‘real’ job as an IT Architect that pays my mortgage and extravagant climbing holidays. While climbing and travelling I shoot photos and write articles. Some gets published here and others get published in specialist climbing magazines.
But how do I rank against the pro sports photographers? Probably not very well, but I decided to put my skills behind the shutter to a test. On Sunday I went to Lyngby Stadion to watch the Super-League game between Lyngby Boldklub and Sønderjyske. I bought a ticket and did not come with any photo accreditation, The security wanted to see my camera bag, but otherwise had no objection in me taking a Nikon D3100 equipped with a cheapo Nikkor 55-200mm lens to the spectator stands. This was my first time ever shooting pictures inside a football stadium.
I found a place not far from the corner and started to shoot (hand-held off course)! The Pros where sitting next to the field with their huge lenses:
The game got on and I shot some pictures, but after 10 minutes the crucial moment came. Lyngby was on the attack and got a shot at the Sønderjyske goal. It was illegally blocked with hands on the goal line by Sønderjyske #3 Michael Stryger. He was shown the red card by the referee and Lyngby was awarded a penalty kick. Lyngbys Kim Aabech scored on the kick and Lyngby went on to win the game by 1-0.
Let us see my pictures of the situation:
#3 puts his hand on the ball
The Lyngby player has seen the foul and puts his arms in the air
The line-ref has seen it and puts is flag in the air.
Lets have a look at the pros pictures, that I found on http://fodboldbilleder.dk – this site is run by Per Kærbye. A well respected sports photographer. He only got one shoot of this crucial game situation! – You can see it here
His other pictures from the game can be seen at http://fodboldbilleder.dk (Click the TAB Lyngby – Sønderjyske)
My full set can bee seen on flickr photoset where you see the full format pictures and study the EXIF data – or in this slideshow:
I am going to let the pictures speak for them self and not pass any judgements on photo quality, but I am quite satisfied with my own performance.
