A sticky wicket
Documenting the action at Worcester’s New Road ground and discovering what cricket and photography have in common
Ihave played or watched cricket for over 60 years, yet it was only four years ago, seeking a fresh photographic challenge, that I began seriously to try to make exciting and satisfying images from summer days spent at the ground of Worcester County Cricket Club.
Cricket and photography have much in common! Both are greatly influenced by the quality of light and climatic conditions in general, and both are highly dependent on decisive moments that determine success or failure. I also think that both place a premium on the choice of location, position and the manipulation of space. I often find that my most pleasing images are made late in the day’s play when shadows and the warmth of late-afternoon light transform what might otherwise be mere record shots into something a little more artistic.
Shutter speeds of at least 1/1000 sec are vital to capture the balls, bails and the emotions of the players effectively. I tend to shoot using my EF 100-400mm lens in Aperture Priority mode, using around f/5.6 or f/6.3. This gives me the optimum basic shutter speed available in the conditions, and from there I adjust the ISO accordingly to give me the required speed and thus sharpness. I use AI Servo mode in conjunction with
Zone AF point selection based on the central cluster of AF points for most shots.
My Canon EOS 7D Mk II is ideal for shooting cricket because of its fast 10fps drive mode and the APS-C sensor enabling extra ‘reach’ with the Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6l telephoto zoom to give an effective focal length of up to 640mm, which is more than enough on a small ground such as New Road, Worcester. This combination is relatively light and flexible, although I always use a Manfrotto tripod for stability.
Backgrounds are often distracting, with advertising hoardings, spectators and equipment all competing for attention in the viewfinder. I prefer, therefore, to shoot from a high viewpoint to isolate the action. I find that this allows me to create the uncluttered graphic compositions that I find so satisfying. Once home, I open my Raw files in Photoshop and crop, sharpen and tweak saturation and contrast, but I never add or move elements to enhance an image – that’s just not cricket!
Shutter speeds of at least 1/1000 sec are vital to capture the balls, bails and the emotions of the players effectively