So, guys, I had my first experience as a photographer for the Real Madrid Women’s match against Alhama.
One word to describe it: Cold. Like, “please stop shaking” cold. Trying to focus the camera while your fingers are slowly turning into icicles? Not ideal.
I should probably clarify: I have zero photography experience. Until recently, I didn’t even know what ISO meant. Luckily, a photography class helped me figure out enough settings to… mostly not break the camera.
We arrived at Alfredo Di Stefano early, which was a blessing. We had time to set up the camera, get our bearings, and watch the players train. Even without the crowd, the stadium had this strange energy — echoing footsteps, crisp air, and that unmistakable smell of fresh-cut grass. You could feel the anticipation building for the match.
Then came the realisation: photography is hard. I tried to capture key moments — a sprint down the wing, a perfectly timed pass, the goalkeeper’s intense focus — and let’s just say, my “action shots” ended up looking more like abstract art. Blurry, shaky, slightly chaotic… but hey, it’s all part of the learning process. My goal was to get a picture of a corner kick.
The weather didn’t help. Cold fingers, wind messing with the camera, and that constant battle against blurriness made me appreciate the pros even more. Watching the players move with precision while I was fumbling with settings was humbling, to say the least.
There were small victories though. One player glanced over mid-dribble and gave me a nod — inside, I may have screamed, silently, of course. Every attempt to capture the perfect moment, even if imperfect, made me fall in love with this perspective on the game. Seeing the focus in a player’s eyes or the celebration before anyone else reacted — that’s what football looks like through a lens.
Areas I Need to Improve
Even with all the excitement, I know there’s a lot I need to work on.
1. Camera Skills & Technical Settings
ISO, shutter speed, aperture… it’s a lot to think about while trying to capture a player sprinting past you at full speed. Next time, I want to adjust settings faster so I don’t miss key moments.
2. Composition & Framing
Sometimes I got so caught up following the ball that I forgot about the full frame. Next match, I want my shots to tell a story, not just capture movement.
3. Anticipation & Timing
Football moves fast, and I often pressed the shutter a split second too late. Learning to predict where the action will happen is going to make a huge difference. So I missed players scoring goals.
4. Confidence & Efficiency
I need to move around the pitch more confidently and handle my gear efficiently. Hesitating for even a second sometimes meant missing shots. Practice will make me feel more natural and ready for anything.
Reflection
Overall, this experience taught me patience, focus, and respect for photographers. I know I have a lot to improve on — from technical settings to timing, framing, and confidence — but I’m excited about the journey. Every mistake is a lesson, and every match is another opportunity to get better. I can already see progress, and I can’t wait for the next game to put these lessons into practice.So yes, I’m cold, my hands are sore, and half my photos are blurry — but I wouldn’t trade this experience for anything. Next match, I’m bringing extra gloves and layers.
I snapped these photos during my first (and very chilly) football match. They’re not going to win any awards — yet — but I’m proud of them. My favourite is the picture of Anton, who looked about as cold as I felt!
Future Kajol checking in! Paul’s class taught me a game-changing tip: the viewfinder beats the screen every time. Also… I think I’ve been hanging out with Anton for too long!
