Smale foweles maken melodye

I was thinking during Prescot Cables' game at home to Burscough that I may have worked out the perfect weather for an evening game at this time of year, when sunset occurs after the game has started.

We need to start with the sun shining. Hopefully it will be a warm evening, although this is not as important for the photographer as the sun's shining when the game gets under way. Those of us on the west side of England can get the first half an hour of the game in full sunlight, assuming a 7.45 kick off. Those on the east side will not be so fortunate, sunset in London has only just got past 8pm, so they will only get about a quarter of an hour.

Enzo Benn, originally from Brighton, making use of Prescot's extra daylight

The sunlight at the end of the day is not as strong as at an afternoon game, I quickly abandoned the preset sports mode on the camera, and went to shutter priority at 1/320s.

The floodlights are usually turned on a few minutes before the sun sets, and for most of the first half, they augment the remaining natural light.

Phil Bannister

By the end of the first half, I had dropped the shutter speed to 1/250s, but there was still some natural light. By the end of the half, we can still get a shot of our own goalkeeper in action from behind the goal we are attacking, even if it is a bit grainy.

Adam Reid

The floodlights do not just illuminate play: at the end of the half, Rod the Drummer pointed out the blackbirds singing in the trees behind the Safari Park End, and we surmised the lights may have made them think it was still daylight.

At this point we become theoretical about our desired weather conditions: whilst we had sunshine to start the match, we will have to wait for another day for the next bit. Ideally, a south east wind would spring up for half time, and bring in lots of nice white, fluffy, but low, clouds. Wind from the north would be a bit cold, and if the clouds were to the west, they would block out the sun. The last of the natural light disappears during half time - our picture of Adam Reid was almost the last picture of the first half, here is one of the first from the second.

Ryan Grattan

Our astronomically minded friends tell us that light pollution is a major problem observing the night sky from urban areas, so it is reasonable to suppose that clouds reflecting some of that back will give us some assistance where every lumen helps. Having said that, a clear night sky helps with those shots where we want aerial action offset against the dark sky.

Jonathon Bathurst

It has been said that the English talk about the weather because we have nothing else to talk about. I am not convinced, I think it is because of the changeable nature of the weather. If you were to go up to someone in Helsinki in January and say, "Looks like snow, Seppo", he would look at you as if you were mad for opening your mouth, letting cold air in only to state the obvious. However, in England in March... It was, nonetheless, a game for those who appreciate good solid defence from both sides, with Prescot gaining a well earned point.

The rest of the pictures from the game can be seen here.