Etiquette on the sidelines

[IndyJeff]

[rant ahead]

This has been bugging me for about two weeks now and I thought I would post something here and maybe save one of you from being a jerk down the road.

A couple of weeks ago I was shooting a high school regional soccer game. There was another photographer there who was shooting for the home team. I have run across this guy before at a softball tourney, altho he wasn't shooting, he was one of the league officials. I kind of thought then he had an attitude problem and now I think I was right.
Anyway I had been told by one of the refs that was there at a game a few days before to remain 10 feet off the line (side and end and 10 feet away from the sides of the goal) during the game, even if the action was on the other end of the field.
Well this guy and some dude with a clipboard who was writing about the game, stand about 3 feet off the line. I guess I shouldn't say stand because they moved around, constantly getting in the way of what I was trying to shoot. One of the mothers from the home team, a slight hottie to boot, was also out there with her film camera and noticed the same thing about how they moved around. I was about to say something to these two but decided against it since I was on their turf, so to speak. It was obvious from his actions that he didn't want me there but I could give a rats ass what he wanted. I was being paid to be there and it wasn't up to some yahoo like him as to who had access.

If your shooting and there is another photographer there, be aware of where the other shooter is. Don't get in their way, try to work together so you can both get a shot without the other guys head in the frames. You would be surprised at what can happen when you strike up a conversation and come to friendly terms with the other shooters.
I met a guy at a high school football game back in August. He was shooting for a local small paper. We talked a bit between quarters and during time outs. I ended up supplying his paper with some photos from a game that he wasn't at (yes I was paid for it too) and this week he called and asked if I could cover a college football game that he was unable to go to. I couldn't do it, but I sure would have liked too. There will be other games that he might need someone on and I will get a call from him, I know.

So the moral here I guess is,
1. Be courteous and respectful to your fellow shooters
2. Act in a professional manner
3.Never pass up the opportunity to make a friend of someone else in the industry.

[/ rant]

[defordphoto]

Cool. Mind if I make a slight change in the title and make this a sticky? Great info here...

[robertwgross]

I would suggest to get the hottie to go distract the photographer with the attitude whenever the play comes your way.

---Bob Gross---

[BigRed450]

Excellent post Jeff...

I myself try to make a point of getting to know other shooters at the events that I do. It makes things so much more enjoyable and many times its more profitable for all in one way or another.......

[CyberDyneSystems]

Excellent advice..

In my fooling about I have had opportunity to be shooting alongside a few pros.. but in every case I give leeway and if there at all interested.. strike up freindly banter.

...you only failed to post pics of the Hottie.. but I guess we can overlook that aspect from an educational standpoint...

[IndyJeff]

CDS it is impolite to take shots of hottie shooters, especially when she is the mom of a high school player LOL.

Bob, the hottie distracted me once when she bent over to get something out of her bag. I don't know if I missed a shot or not, didn't care either cause she was built like a brick chicken house. At that point she was in front of me towards the action and I had trouble concentrating on the game.


One other thing I do, like at a football game when there are several people working the sidelines, I keep checking to see who or what is behind me. I don't want to make a move towards the sideline trying to get a shot and mess up someone elses shot, nor do I want to retreat from oncoming action only to find somebody is standing right there where I am about to take my second step at full speed ahead. Always, I repeat ALWAYS be aware of your surroundings when shooting sports, lest ye get hurt.

[defordphoto]

Okee dokee. This thread has degraded quite rapidly. I ain't sticky'ing this puppy! :shock:

[timmyquest]

[quoteSo the moral here I guess is,
1. Be courteous and respectful to your fellow shooters
2. Act in a professional manner
3.Never pass up the opportunity to make a friend of someone else in the industry. [/quote]

In the past 10 weeks i've shot alongside two photogrphers almost every week (The guy who works for the bigger paper wasnt at a few game). It was so nice to have this sort of bond that grew over the last few weeks.

I asked him about 1D settings

I convinced her to use her 80-200 f/2.8 nikor (she hasnt gone back since)

She gave me contact info

I'd tell them the play that was coming based on the audibles i'd hear on the field.

All in all it was just fun to be there with people that you can relate to so well.

At the last game where we were all there together it was half time and pouring, we all sat under one umbrella talking about photography, just fantastic.

So, i'd say for anyone who doesnt want to take your advice; they dont deserve the benifits of it.

[MazerRakhm]

Sorry to stray from the topic of the hottie, which is important, but I've been wondering about the following.

I just recently started shooting HS football, and one of the things I try to remain constantly aware of is what / where other photographers are.

One thing I’ve noticed though, most photographers seem to be (not trying to offend anyone) a little anti-social. It could be that I look or smell funny, but generally my polite acknowledgements (smile, brief nod of the head) aren’t met, or responded to.

Is there a reason for this?

Now I’m not trying to say this is the general rule! The game I was at Friday night for instance, I talked to a rather nice gentleman who shot for the local paper, (And when I asked told me that he’s been doing so since before ’85!) and was more than happy to talk socially with me. I wasn’t trying to talk any type of shop (He carried a lot of Nikon equipment.), just general conversation, about the game, and about the bad weather that was supposed to hit us any minute. I’m thinking it may have helped that I think I saw him briefly at another game, but if I remember correctly he was friendly there as well.

[JAZZ D.P.G.]

IndyJeff got it right there!! (And I don't mean the Hottie :twisted: )

I was fortunate to start photography while working television on the NASCAR circuit. As I already had the press pass I was sort-of accepted.

I was able to talk with many photographers while getting started, and that really helped me pick the right equipment to start with, and to know what was available to rent (saving a big upfront cost).

Most everyone will talk about their equipment and work with the right respect.

The tips and helpful advice was something everyone should have access to.

I know I would not have gotten the advice or help if I had not respected their professional requirements! I was careful to talk when I knew they were not busy, mix in the pits and garage and observe without getting in the way, and just not being an idiot. I worked very hard not to be in the shot.

I still shoot locally, and still remain out of the way, as this is not my main source of income.

Great advice, IndyJeff. I am one who livedthis advice and learned more than I could have any other way.

[IndyJeff]

Oh I have had both types approach me while working, the layed back causual conversation type and then the kind that comes up and says, "Hi. What are you metered at? Who do you shoot for? Are they hiring?" Usually this is the type that I do try to avoid.

Now if you nod or say hi to me I will ackowledge you and be more inclined to walk over and start a conversation during a break in the action. Generally conversation revolves around the sport we are shooting. Talk may turn to cameras, how do you like _________? I was thinking of getting one of those next spring.

In my opinion the best way to get advice is not to seek it out. Get to know the other person first and they will be more inclined to answer your questions, well if they like you they will.

[MazerRakhm]

In my opinion the best way to get advice is not to seek it out. Get to know the other person first and they will be more inclined to answer your questions, well if they like you they will.

Oh no, I don’t go around asking people for advice or trying to talk shop, anything like that, I’ve just noticed, as I attend more games especially now that we’re in to football playoffs, that other photographers are less likely to acknowledge my presence period.

(Example of myself and some photographers at a game.)
We’re at the game for a couple of hours at least, we walk up and down the same sidelines, maybe go down to the end zone at the same time. At some point we’ll make eye contact; I being a friendly type guy will smile, nod, maybe a brief hello, or a comment on the game at hand, or the weather, at which point I’m noticing I will generally be ignored. Which is fine but I personally think is a bit rude, momma always told me to respect the golden rule.

Now I don’t notice this in everyone, like I said earlier I’ve met some really nice people at some games, but I’d say I get the cold shoulder about 60% of the time.

Like I said though, it could be my deoderant, or the Cubs hat I sometimes wear. :)

[GenEOS]

Mazer,

About photogs on the sidelines being anti-social. I normally do not approach any other shooter unless I know them or want to meet them. I may seem anti-social, but I am at work. You might say I am in a zone, zone out or whatever. Whenever I shoot a game, I am concentrating on my work. Sure I BS a little but it's mostly about the work at hand. I get a lot of people coming up to me and they at times get annoying with questions, but I try to be friendly and answer them. I do know some that are just darned right rude when they are working a sideline. I hope I am not like that. But when I start shooting, I like to be left alone. I would never tell anyone to leave me alone, but I will go to the other side of the field if I feel crowded.

Make sense?