Freezing the Intensity Under the Lights
December football rarely offers ideal conditions. Cold air, fast tackles, and fading light set the scene for Odd Down Football Club’s Somerset Cup fixture against Bath City, a local derby played at full throttle. My task was to translate that intensity into a set of images that felt as energetic as the match itself.
The Brief
Odd Down Football Club wanted high-energy action photography that captured the pace, aggression, and emotion of a cup tie against familiar opposition. The images needed to work beyond match day, strong enough for social media, editorial use, and future promotional material.
Pitch-Side Perspective
I was pitch-side for the entire match, switching ends at half-time to stay close to the attacking play. My focus stayed firmly on the action, reading the game, anticipating moments, and reacting quickly to:
- Crunching tackles
- Goal-scoring chances
- Immediate celebrations that followed
Rather than documenting the crowd, the aim was to tell the story of the match through decisive footballing moments — the split seconds that define a cup tie.
Technical Approach
To stay adaptable, I worked with a two-camera setup:
- A Canon EOS 5D Mark IV paired with a Sigma 150–600mm, allowing me to isolate action across the pitch.
- A Canon EOS 6D Mark II with a Canon EF 70–200mm f/2.8, perfect for closer moments and goal celebrations.
I deliberately chose a higher ISO over flash to avoid distracting players and maintain the natural feel of the game. A fast shutter speed was prioritised to keep motion blur to a minimum, ensuring each frame felt sharp, explosive, and alive.
Shaping the Final Images
Post-production played a key role in overcoming the lighting conditions. Careful exposure adjustments, noise reduction, and contrast enhancements helped reinforce the speed and intensity of the match while maintaining a clean, professional finish suitable for both digital and print use.
The Final Set
- The project delivered over 50 edited images, now used across:
- Odd Down Football Club’s social media platforms
- The club website
- Editorial programmes for upcoming fixtures
Outcome
The response from the club was extremely positive. The images have been reused multiple times across their social channels, continuing to support the club’s visual identity and match-day storytelling well beyond the final whistle.
