Down hill:


Crossing the bridge:


Up the hill on gravel golf cart path:

Nice work, ma'am! I like the bridge-crossing shot the best, as it's a nice environmental portrait.

As you continue to work into the sports realm, it's a good idea to also try to capture images of your loves ones with other runners in the frame. Pretty tight shots with your daughter the focus but other runners vying to overtake her (or her working to overtake them), will add a lot of drama to the images.

As cross-country runners often tend to spread out during the middle of a race, the types of pics I mentioned generally are easiest to capture toward the beginning or at the finish line. Also, at those times, runners heading straight for the camera make for some excellent images.

Since the runners are only moving 10-15 mph, the XT is perfectly capable of tracking and rendering sharply those subjects moving right toward you with the camera in Al servo focus mode and the center focus point selected. As long as there is decent contrast (autofocus needs contrast to work effectively, and there's plenty of contrast with face/jersey in these pics), the Al servo is best when tracking moving subjects. Takes a little getting used to, particularly since if you have the shutter button halfway down and the focus point wanders off the subject you'll be focusing on the wrong spot.

What focus mode were you in with these images?

I was in AI Servo mode, with auto AF point selection. I haven't played around with the manual on that yet.

I have a few photos with other runners, but there are either grain bins, a storage shed, or cars and busses in the background. The next race will be much better for getting the shots with other runners. I have a goal to get Laura and her good friend from another school in the same shot. They are pretty evenly matched, and tend to finish within seconds of each other.

Advanced age, phooey. You're not that far behind. You're only as old as you feel.

As far as the CC pics go, my personal fave is the last, as you can tell she is really working. Her espression tells it all. I like your goal for the next shoot. That should be a sweet shot. Like Steve said, multiple runners in the shot, with your daughter being the sharpest, and the others slightly out of focus, would be grand. Good luck and don't forget to share.

Very nice. I also like the last one. The drama from the look on her face is great. As Dan mentioned earlier, try the slow shutter speed with panning. The results can be very cool. After you get a few with a faster shutter speed that you like, give it a try.

It looks like you have a good grasp on things so far.

Advance age, I like that. XT, I know you're not that old! Heck my Dad might even be older than you.


Sorry for distracting from your post, Fishinchicks. Hope I didn't offend.

We need an emoticon with a tongue sticking out.

One more thing Carolyn, be sure to leave more room in front of the runners and less behind them. It shows they have a long ways to go.

Ok, pretty soon I will be taking a poll to see who wants to go to Adrian with me for the next meet. I will have to change from a 3x5 index card to a notebook with all the helpful hints you guys are giving. Not that I'm complaining!

mm - no problem teasing Mike a little in this thread. Gave me a good laugh.

When is the meet in Adrian? It's almost tempting. It's been years since I shot anything besides wildlife. The last time I shot a CC meet, I had to prefocus and when the runners arrived, snap the shot. That's right mm, a long time ago there was no such thing as autofocus.

Oh, and please don't encourage mmeyer. He's doing fine on his own.

I'm going to give you a different take on shooting groups. My information is based on sales. Who buys what shots. I can tell you that runners in groups don't sell. Runners with a friend do sell, but not in a pack. I can only assume people want shots of their kids as the main focus. My sales bear that out.

I think its a good idea to get runners in the background BEHIND your subject, not next to them, unless at a finish, or in front of them.

Clearly this shot shows a runner in front of a pack. May not be in first place, but he looks like he is. Sold a few different sizes of this shot.



Another shot toward a finish that sold well. Runners behind the main subject. I'm pretty sure he was not close to the front but it looks like he was.



These shots always sell. Tight to the runner, this is what I would encourage you to capture with your daughter.



Friend shots sell well also. This one sold multiple times. Two friends isolated from the pack.



And last these are always some of the most popular shots. Don't forget the after race.



You may have something completely different in mind as to what you want to do. That is good, always have a plan. I've found the most success I've had whether it is shooting sports or any other subject is to have in mind what I want to do, what type of shot and where. The rest will fall into place.

Shooting for publications is different than shooting for sales. I do both. Shooting your own child, I would think again based on my sales, that you will be happier with the shots that are clean or emphasize your daughter.

You will notice that these shots all have two things in common. I talk to a lot of people with cameras when I'm working and there are a couple of things that I always say; include a face, not the back. Shoot tight and crop your shots even tighter. These shots meet that criteria. I am not saying that is the only way or the only types of shots to get, but I think you will be happy with your shots if you strive to do just that.

Good luck, I will be shooting a conference XC meet next Monday as well. I am sure you are in the same part of your season as well.

I forgot to mention that you want your focus point to be single and usually the middle one. Especially if you are shooting in groups. Auto selection will usually pick the closest person not necessarily the one you want. So AI Servo, single point in the center. Keep your focus point on those bib numbers and all will be good with the world.

Thanks for the added pictures. I am more of a visual learner, so that was very helpful.

Seeing the Maple Grove shirts is cool. I will be at my mom's in Plymouth during MEA - at the corner of Maple Grove and Crystal.

Mike, Sections are on Friday the 24th at 4:00. It is at the Adrian golf course.

Great tips and accompanying photos, Dan. I actually enjoyed it to the point of being tempted to try some sports shooting.

Carolyn, it's interesting that your mom lives in Plymouth. I have a daughter along with her husband and 1 week old baby, living in Plymouth. Which direction from Medicine lake do they live? My daughter lives east of the lake, not too far off 169 and about 2 1/2 miles from Dbl in New hope, and I have a brother in law and his family living west of the lake.

That is only a mile or two from where I live. If you want to talk cameras while you are in the area just let me know.

X you know you want to get out and try a shot or two! Of course you might get hooked!

Mom lives behind Superior Ford off 169 and Bass Lake Road. We are having a "craft weekend" Thursday night thru Saturday. If mom starts driving me crazy, I may have to get out and take my camera along.

I'm about 1 mile east of the intersection of 169 and 55, about a mile and a half from Medicine Lake. I rode by the south end of the lake all the time (and I will be riding again soon).

Dan, I wouldn't mind getting together sometime so I can learn some things.