Courtesy to other shooters (pro)

[Tapeman]

I will have a sideline pass for a Big Ten football game and will be shooting my first football game. While I want to get as many good shots as possible, I don't make my living with a camera, and am willing to cut the pros that do a little slack. Is this a good approach? Aside from not getting run over by the TV guys should I hold my ground or make space for the other photographers?

Renting a 400mm 2.8L for the game.

Thanks

[nation]

not sure what the atmosphere at a big ten game is like but jostling with the pros may mean having to joust with your equipment.:D

but anyway you've got the sideline pass so the way i see it you've got the right to be there. the pros are used to fighting for position to get the best shots so you may as well play them at their game.

[IndyJeff]

Tapeman, when you get to the game early, at least two hours early, walk the sidelines. Look for spots you will want to shoot from. No doubt you will see other photographers there soon. Strike up a conversation with a couple of them and introduce yourself. Explain that this is your first Big Ten sideline gig and ask about some do's and don't's. Get friendly with one and kind of hang with him/her.

I think you will find working along side the pros easier if your working with them and realizing that they are there doing their job. I am not saying back off to the back row and miss a good shot but, be courteous to them and they will return the favor. Your "new buddy" will probably give you some idea of where would be a good place to be and who to avoid. Some guys can be jerks just like any other industry but, for the most part they will be helpful. They were all at their first game once too.

[ACDCROCKS]

If this is you VERY first football game to shoot, go to a local Highschool game, such as J.V....that way you can get a taste of what you can do and not do. It gets you all prepared and stuff... I remember my first football game...aww the memories.:rolleyes: ;) :D

[Jon, The Elder]

Flip side to IndyJeffs comments. In the summer, I had a young lady show up at a horse show I was shooting. She was really interested in this aspect of the "horse business".

She introduced herself and explained why she was there. I took a liking to her and let her tag along with me. At the end of the afternoon she was REALLY tired but still full of enthusiasm. Her Dad showed up and turns out he has a rather large Farm/training facility. Well you can guess where this is going - Made enough to get my wife her 70/200L.

"What goes around.........."

[Streetshooter]

bring alot of gum with ya, spread it around, everybody's mouth gets dry at shoots....all the pro's will appreciate the gesture...other than that...be polite but GET THE IMAGE you want at all cost....don

[mackb]

Pleae please please tell me your going to shoot the OSU vs IU game this weekend, I would LOVE to see your pictures (no matter what game it is).

GO BUCKS,

Billy

[mackb]

The orig post was 6 days before this one........................hmmmmmmmm, guess it's not the game I was talkin about..............please please please tell me you shot at the OSU vs MSU game!

[Levon]

be polite but GET THE IMAGE you want at all cost.... Exactly. You're either in it to win it or you shouldn't be there at all, how else do you think the pros became pros?

[OnlyDigital]

Tapeman, If you are on the field with Credentials, then you are a professional photographer for the event. You are definitely bringing the correct large lens for Football, I would also recommend another camera body with a smaller lens (70-200mm) would be ideal for the action that comes directly at you. Good Luck, and be on the lookout for wide receivers headed your way.

[vwpilot]

Well, I would hope that you, or any pro, would have a little more courtesy for other pros than just "get the photo at all costs."

You need to evaluate why you are there. Are you there with a cred shooting for SI or some other big media outlet that can really make your career? Are you there shooting for something that will put real food on your table and you need to get the very best at any cost?

Or are you there shooting for something or someone that is a little less important than something like SI?

For instance, I shoot professionally and work for severaly teams, drivers and sponsors within a road racing series. While I would love to get the awesome jube shot of the winning car as it parks in victory lane, do I fight with the team photographer for that car when all I would really use the shot for is posting on the internet or going in my own portfolio?

IMO, it is much better for me to be courteous to my fellow photographers and let them have first shot for their clients than it is for me to push my way in to get the shot "at any cost."

In your case, if you are in a position that will only allow for one shooter, and its not something you truly need, and there is another photographer there that could really use it, maybe its better to show some restraint and allow them to get something they can really use.

Now, by all means, if its a shot you need, you have just as much right as anyone else there, but if its something you can give up and there is another that can really use it, sometimes being the bigger man is in order.

Just my opinion though.

[Jon]

If you've got credentials, by definition the event sponsor considers you every bit as important as everyone you're rubbing shoulders with. Your responsibility, to the sponsor and to your employer, is to get the best photographs possible. You do have the further responsibility to not create mayhem in the process, so no shouldering someone else out of their staked position, but don't back down to them and miss the shot either.

[ACDCROCKS]

You need pics, your renting a lens, I would be pissed of if I didn't get a pic I wanted just for being nice to have a spot, get to your spot a couple hours before the game, let no one touch it. Let that 400mm stick out, not be out from the game.. Credentials show who you are, a lot of us wish we had them..............

[Tapeman]

mackb,
It is the Ohio State / Minnesota game at the Metrodome.

I'll have my 70-200 2.8L on my 1vHS and my 16-35 2.8L in my vest. I probably will put a smaller lens on my IDMKII for halftime.

I'm starting to get excited about going to the game.

I pick up the 400 2.8L at 3:00 PM on Friday and have to return it Monday morning. I expect to put that baby through its paces over the week end.:)

[ACDCROCKS]

that lens may cost you more than your rent.... As soon as you get you will be thinking...."Damn, I love this lens, how did I ever livewith out, I--must--go---out---and---put----p-l--a--s--t--i--c ----through---the---dealers----hand---and---buy---this---.Divorcement---thought---about--im---better--off---anyway

;) J/K
;) :p
Youngstown State Univeristy will be going against Ohio State Next Year, I think I might do the same as you.

[MDJAK]

I was at the first Jets home game this season in a luxury box and spent over half of my time looking through my Zeiss binoculars at the pros shooting the game.

They have designated spots along the sidelines they are allowed to go. As the action shifts from one side of the field to the other, most, but not all, walk behind the bench down to the other side. There is a solid white line with hash marks along it forming sort of a box. Each pro stands in one. There is no jostling or shoving that I saw.

Some pros stayed at the end zone, others on one side, some on the other. it all seemed very orderly to me.

[ACDCROCKS]

It does. In varsity football it's run as fast as you can ;). But anway, from looking on Sports Shooter they have scatch tape on the ground or something that has names. About 1.5 to 2 feet long. Interesting*, I wonder if they bid on locations, etc.??

[Tapeman]

I picked up the 400mm 2.8L is today. What a beast! My monopod seems tiny under it.
I have been in contact with a pro who shoots many games for the "U" He has offered me some tips. AIl I know is I am going to have FUN.

[ACDCROCKS]

try not to get under it's spell, it's a strong one.

[defordphoto]

Thread closed. Orginial topic long lost.