The above graph is a sample of the data collected by the College Photographer of the Year (CPOY) contest. They collected the metadata from over 600 entries in the sports action category. Shutter speed, focal length, apreture, and camera make/model were all recorded. It seemed like the Nikon D3, with a 300mm lens, shot at f/2.8 with a 1/1000 shutter speed was the most used.

I think this was an interesting way to show what and how photographers use their tools at work. But in bigger picture remember most of this doen’t matter. Most people looking at your photographs won’t care how you made the picture. They just care how that picture makes them feel.