Suggestions - First NFL Game

[PhotoJourno]

Just curious as to what suggestions you'd make to someone who's never been on the stadium with a Field Pass for 1st Quarter Photographs.

(Candle Stick, SF - Daytime Game, weather Expected to be wintery, no hail or snow).


An unkown I have, for example:

- what are the two most used focal lengths (Realistically, meaninig if you use your 600mm at 300mm in 99% of the photos, then 300mm would be the answer).

Thanks. :)

[PhotoJourno]

So far, here is what I am taking:

24-105L
70-200L (I am putting a strap to it, since I am shooting with one body).
x2TC just in case

Monopode on body (Not sure if I should just leave it installed on the lens).

Will Shoot JPG Large Fine. Maybe RAW, not sure yet.

Any other thoughts?...

[FlyingPhotog]

Keep your non viewfinder eye open and be very, very aware of where the play is going at all times. Often players away from the ball will come blowing out of bounds at the most unexpected times.

Borrow or rent a second body because you'll never have enough time to change lenses if a distant pass or run play suddenly ends up right in front of you (and you'll also miss the best chance for good close ups too.)

[PhotoJourno]

Thanks for the good info, sir.

[Sauk]

rent a second body and have fun! Have the 24-105 on one body then a 300 or a 400mm on a 2nd body.

[dragulaz]

Borrow or rent a second body because you'll never have enough time to change lenses if a distant pass or run play suddenly ends up right in front of you (and you'll also miss the best chance for good close ups too.)

I agree. I used to try to shoot races with one body. There is no substitute for not having to swap lenses.

I recommend LensProToGo.com if you have time to rent a body.

[JVolz]

For the 70-200 ( or anything longer for that matter) you'll want the monopod on the lens rater than the body, then you can use the ring to move between portrait and landscape.

[PhotoJourno]

awesome!.. Preparing right now. I am showing up at 10am, though the game is at 1pm. Hopefully will get to see the team during warmups and such.

cheers,

[FlyingPhotog]

Did you get any good shots?

[Edit] More importantly, did you avoid getting run over? ;)

[carianoff]

Yeah, lets see some please.

[PhotoJourno]

Hi,

I did almost trip on Bryant Young. The thing most likely to run you over is actually this super duper lawn-mower made into an ATV with a crane type thing, and a full size TV Camera on it, running up and down the field. That is one thing no one wants to end up under.

Got some really good pics. Actually stayed the entire game. It was great. I am right now finally sorting them out, and will be posting them in a few. :)

By the way, as far as I know all the suggestions here were spot on, so I will make it a point to share mine, since hindsight is 20/20 (who knows, maybe a new thread).

Be back before the end of the day, with the promised story and pics.

[Kadath]

Were you shooting for hire or did you win the Canon contest of the week?

[PhotoJourno]

Working for Press (hire). Of all the assignments so far, all the concerts, all the politicians I have gotten to meet, accidents and crime scenes, CandleStick Stadium, packed to the brim for the last home game of the year, roaring in unison, is an experience that absolutely surpassed anything I have ever lived.

I think I know understand better those rockstars and such. That much noise -specially if directed to that one person- can be impossible to live with. It was incredible.

Creating gallery right now, so link coming up in a few.

[PhotoJourno]

Here we go friends.

(If anyone likes any of these for any reason, please ask, it is much better than right clicking and saving pirated photos). Plus I am a hell of a good guy, and might just send you a good hires version of one.

http://www.gravina-productions.net/nfl.htm

PS: The Full Gallery is still in the works, but you can at least see a few.

[Permagrin]

Mario, that shot of Bryant Young is incredible!! WOW

[PhotoJourno]

Mario, that shot of Bryant Young is incredible!! WOW

I got very lucky for that one. Poor bloke was walking in circles, while they announced his career accomplishments and what not, definitely nervous. As you can imagine, there were swarms of photogs trying to get a clean shot. I tried over my head with the camera, hoping for a random shot, and then I just felt I needed to have my one second of guts. So I grabbed my cam, and pushed my way (rushed I guess, since we speaking football) through all other photographers, and split the inflatable tunnel in two, just wide enough to get the lens and take this shot. Only clean frame, one before I was still pushing, and one after some other guy tried the same technique.

I backed off, chimping into my 1D and feeling I was good, even if every other shot sucked, this one would make up for the rest.

Thanks for the kudos.

[jptsr1]

very nice shots!

J.

[the_incubus]

some great shots!

[Superman22]

Very good pics man, I like them a lot. The Young one is my fave!

[PhotoJourno]

Thanks, y'all. It makes me happy that it pleases your eye. :)

[PhotoJourno]

http://www.gravina-productions.net/nfl2.htm

Just updated the gallery.
(Portrait shots are stretched, courtesy of Microsoft Inc).

BTW, anyone know any good Web Authoring Tool for Mac ?.. (Dreamweaver, or other equivalent to FrontPage).

[FlyingPhotog]

Excellent job. Glad to know POTN was of assistance! Well Done.