How best to try my hand at sports photog?

[vjack]

Like any other new skill, I suspect that sports photography requires practice. If I were to attend a baseball or soccer game in a public park in order to practice and discover the limitations of my lenses, do you think I am likely to be hassled? Would it matter if the players were children?

[Croasdail]

Just don't..... there are way too many other options out there. Look in your area for local college sports. Most are very photo friendly, they are free or very cheap to attend, and the level of compitition is much more interesting to capture. Also look at high school sports. Depending on your area, it can be a good venue. But be clear what local regulations are. Here in NC it is pretty much wide open if you stay out of the playing area. If you do shoot local kids stuff... make sure you know someone who is participating. It gives you a reason to be there.... not that you need one in a public park.... but it just removes questions on what your intentions are. But I would concentrate on the University\College option, you won't regret it.

Cheers.

[JohnEBongo]

Vjack, ignore what Croasdail said. No reason to be so paranoid. I go out to local little league baseball, football and soccer fields all of the time and I have never been harrassed. If you have the College option that is great too, but don't be afraid to go to your local parks if you want the practice. It is a great way to get good practice and learn the capabilities/limits of yourself and your equipment. It is also a good way to get business. Parents love good action shots of their kids. Go shoot and have fun.

John

[gmen]

Would it matter if the players were children?Yes.

EDIT: As Mark said, don't leave yourself open to awkward questions/accusations/unhappy parents. Common sense should prevail. If there are adults playing, then have the decency to ask them first - you might get a positive response. If you don't then politely move on. Your best bet is to become involved with friends/family who participate in sport and to offer to shoot them.

---- Gavin

[Croasdail]

Vjack - like I said, there is nothing illegal with going to a public place to shoot shots. I guess it all really comes down to what you mean by "trying your hand at being a sports photog". If you ultimate goal is to shoot youth sports (and maybe making some money off of it) - going to the park will work fine. But if you have other ambitions, while you can get there from shooting in the park, it isn't fastest way. It's kinda like learning to drive a race car... you can drive on highways all you want, and that practice will help, but unless you get the car on the track where opportunities present themselves to perform at a higher level, your learning curve will be much slower. Once you've leaned how to drive at 150, driving at slower speeds will be a peace of cake. College sports move at a much faster rate - you have to react faster - recompose, etc. If you have mastered that, coming back to youth events will be very simple. It just depends on your end goal.

As to the where and what you can shoot.... read this thread.

http://www.photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=124179

Cheers and good luck with it.

[JohnEBongo]

Mark, that is the single most informative and understandable article on the rights of photographers I have read. Thanks. John

[vjack]

I guess it might be helpful for me to clarify that I have no interest in trying to make money off this. I am simply looking for opportunities to learn and build my skill. I thought that sports would be a good way to experiment with stopping action, etc. I thought youth sports might be an easier way to start than college. Maybe it doesn't matter.