SEMA 2007....

[da_teacher]

....here I come! Registered as a photographer and obtained a PRESS PASS--whoo hoo. But can somebody tell me what the benefits of having a press pass are?

I've been to SEMA in the past but as a non-buyer/or buyer but this year a publication that I freelance for hooked me up and let me register as a person of the MEDIA. I can't wait!

[PhotosGuy]

PRESS PASS Now called credentials, unless you want to be branded as a noobie?
Usually, it means free food, tripod & media room privileges, & access before the public clutters up your shots.

[disboifan]

where is SEMA going to be held?

nvm found it.

[CCColtsicehockey]

well with sema you can only get in if you are press or a vendor it is not open to the public so it means you actually get to go haha. I went last year and it was a lot of fun but unfortunately does not include much free food if you dont get there right when they bring it out cause there isnt much. its a fun experience though. and there are tone of parties you can get into if you talk to the right people and let them know you are press you can get passes or your name on the list.

[DirtyJerzey]

that sounds sooo tight, good luck, post some pics...

[vpkb]

CCC..Sema is open to the public.

[CCColtsicehockey]

CCC..Sema is open to the public.

Are you talking about SEMA in Vegas and if so is that new cause SEMA was not open to the public as of last year when I went. I had to get my credentials from the website I shot for and they were checked every time I went through the door.

[303villain]

As far as I know Sema is not open to the public, its an amazing time. be prepared for a TON of walking!! Wish I was going this year

[Tonyguy]

SEMA is definitely not open to the public.

[wtaccord]

As I recall the year before last they did open it up to the public on the last day(Friday) and they learned from their mistakes. I've gone the past 10 years or so and trust me, there's enough people just with the buyers and the vendors. It's AWESOME by the way. If you like cars and girls its heaven. I walk non-stop 9am-5pm Wed and Thur and half a day on Friday before I head home and I just barely get to see everything. My Father and Grandfather have been in the automotive industry for years so they are able to get me in. I'd love to get in with press credentials. Sorry to ramble but SEMA is AWESOME!! haha. Only a few more weeks to go. Can't wait. I finally have some good lenses for this time around so it should be even better. To get an idea of the show and how huge it is you can check out the "cars" section on my site www.jpegcity.com

[da_teacher]

its a fun experience though. and there are tone of parties you can get into if you talk to the right people and let them know you are press you can get passes or your name on the list.

Anymore tips on this matter CCC?

This will be my fifth year attending SEMA but first with credentials. It is definitely not open to the public. Hopefully my knee holds up this year with all the walking--tore my MCL not to long ago playing b-ball.

[wtaccord]

If you dont want any obstruction get there early. Vendors and photographers can get in as early as 7AM I believe. This way you can get clear shots of everything. It can be a real challenge when the place is filled up after 9AM. Then get a system down so you dont miss anything. Shoot the outside in the morning or afternoon so you dont get really bad glare. With that torn MCL a monopod might not be a bad idea. You can use it as a walking stick. ;-)

[pitslave]

I've been going to SEMA for 15 years now and as far as I could remember, it was never open to the public. They have been really cracking down on fake businesses these last few years. People would make fake business cards and get in. Now you have to show a retail license. To sign up. If you're into cars, its the place to be. I advise you to bring different shoes to change into each day. It gets painful in the same shoes. I'll be there the last few days. It's cool to see them drive all the cars out of the show.

[whoadude]

How is the lighting at sema? What is a good lens to shoot with?

[pitslave]

How is the lighting at sema? What is a good lens to shoot with?

I always used my my flash when I'm indoors at the show. Bring your widest lens. I use my 16-35 at the show. There is way too many people walking around you. If you scoot back a little to try to fit a car in frame, your going to be standing there waiting for hundreds of people to walk by.

[CCColtsicehockey]

I always used my my flash when I'm indoors at the show. Bring your widest lens. I use my 16-35 at the show. There is way too many people walking around you. If you scoot back a little to try to fit a car in frame, your going to be standing there waiting for hundreds of people to walk by.
bringing your widest lens is a good idea just as long as it doesn't have to high of starting aperature. I actually finally took the plunge just before going last year to buy the 17-55mm f/2.8 which was definitely nice to have cause even with flash some places can be pretty dark.

Also as people above have stated bring at least two comfortable pairs of shoes so you can alternate cause its a ton of walking all day long and very few places to sit besides the floor. I was there for 3 days and had comfortable shoes and still had a blister at the end of the week.

[wtaccord]

bringing your widest lens is a good idea just as long as it doesn't have to high of starting aperature. I actually finally took the plunge just before going last year to buy the 17-55mm f/2.8 which was definitely nice to have cause even with flash some places can be pretty dark.

Also as people above have stated bring at least two comfortable pairs of shoes so you can alternate cause its a ton of walking all day long and very few places to sit besides the floor. I was there for 3 days and had comfortable shoes and still had a blister at the end of the week.

Don't forget the walking that most people do on the strip and through the casinos in addition to the convention. I recall one year that the afterparties got the best of me and I made the fool choice of walking from the stip down the the Stratosphere. NOT a good idea!!! haha. Good socks are a must and try to go light on the gear. In the past I have opted to go flashless and have gotten by. It's probably not recommended though. This will be my first year with a nice lens. I picked up the 17-55 f/2.8 as well but unfortionatley it was about a month after the last SEMA show. Hopefully with the f/2.8 I'll do well without the flash. The only real dark booth is the Dodge booth which is always very low light. The drifting was a challenge as well but even a flash wont help night racing. :-(

[whoadude]

Is there any use brining out the 70-200? Maybe for the driving events?

[vegasboy]

ive been going for the past 4 years. and being a local it easy to go... ive had connections every year and do this year as well. should be good.

[wtaccord]

Is there any use brining out the 70-200? Maybe for the driving events?

You wont be using it inside. Not with as busy as it it. The drifting would be about the only thing. Pretty much everything else you have to get close enough to make it obvious that you are taking a picture and even then some people dont care and walk in front of you.

[MichaelBernard]

I'll be there too. My friend's shop got invited, I'm going as crew/photographer ;)

[JacobPhoto]

ugh. SEMA. When nothing goes as planned, everything runs late, and the only thing that makes the trip worthwhile is the free booze.

If anyone wants to shoot photos for me, feel free. I only need 100 or so. I hope I can squeeze it in between meetings.

Call me cynical, but after a few years, it's all the same.

[wtaccord]

ugh. SEMA. When nothing goes as planned, everything runs late, and the only thing that makes the trip worthwhile is the free booze.

If anyone wants to shoot photos for me, feel free. I only need 100 or so. I hope I can squeeze it in between meetings.

Call me cynical, but after a few years, it's all the same.

What do you want shots of? I usually end up with a few thousand. I'm sure I can spare 100. :-)

[da_teacher]

Call me cynical, but after a few years, it's all the same.

I'll agree with this...if I didn't get press credentials, I probably wouldn't be attending this year. This will be my fourth consecutive year going and it does get a little old but hopefully with press credentials, it'll rejunevate my love for SEMA. LOL

[JacobPhoto]

What do you want shots of? I usually end up with a few thousand. I'm sure I can spare 100. :-)

PM me.

although it doesn't pay well. SEMA = too many photographers, not enough clients