What it's REALLY like to shoot a pro event

[manutd101]

I have to admit, I hijacked this idea from Dennis (dmwierz (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/member.php?u=30897)), but it was just such a good idea it needed a thread. So, without further ado, the question to all you pro sports photogs (or those that have shot pro), what is it really like? For those of us who never have, what don't we know? Feel free to share whatever you like. Thanks!

[Palladium]

I have to admit, I hijacked this idea from Dennis (dmwierz (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/member.php?u=30897)), but it was just such a good idea it needed a thread. So, without further ado, the question to all you pro sports photogs (or those that have shot pro), what is it really like? For those of us who never have, what don't we know? Feel free to share whatever you like. Thanks!

Free Parking

Free Food

Free Drink

Long Hours - Hard Work ;)

[manutd101]

Free Parking

Free Food

Free Drink

Long Hours - Hard Work ;)
You forgot free tickets :lol: But yeah, a lot of hard, hard work from what I've read.

[Palladium]

You forgot free tickets :lol: But yeah, a lot of hard, hard work from what I've read.

What I did forget was

Free Weather - so be prepared for it

[PhotoJourno]

Shooting Pro ( I have, but I do not usually go to every game) is mostly preparation.
Getting the right connection, setting up the Pass, confirming that the credentials will be at the Will-Call Window, etc.

Day of the game, I am usually nervous. I like to go online first thing in the morning, and look to as many photos of the sport as I can, the ones I like, the ones I would shoot differently.

Then I stop looking, make sure my gear is ready, and chill. (It is much better if it happens during a working day, as it kind of sneaks up on ya, there is no chance for anticipation or anxiety).

Then there are the 30 mins of chaos. Is this the right gate? Crap, I should have come extra early to a new stadium I never been to before. Ok, gotta walk that way. Man, is this bag heavy. Why did I bring my Jacket? Hi, I am with the XXX news... Yes that's my card. Oh, the bag? Sure, have a look. Ok, I am in. Man, this is fun. Look at all these chumps, they paid for their ticket. Gotta find a way to get to the field now.. Uh, I may wanna pee first. Hang on, don't let the jacket fall in the stall or it'll stay there. Ok, on my way. I feel so good!!... Where do I get field access. Ah, middle field. Ok, let's walk that way. I am on the grass/Brick !!!! Whoo-hoo !! look at all these people. I should definitely take a photo. Well, there will be time for that. Ah, got my red vest (or not). Better set up camp. Did I charge this battery?

Then the chaos continues as you try to find a good place to park it, and sort of claim your own.

The game, whether ping pong or Baseball goes by so fast, that before you know it, your Epson has a few Gbs and your cards are full.

Leaving, you join the rest of the crowd too soon. Boy, that was some awesome crowd sound. I can see why there are many who love to be famous. I could get used to that. Ah, my car is on the other side of the stadium. Let's follow the crowd. Baah-baaah (sheep noises to amuse oneself).

And lastly, is this parking lot going to take all night to empty? Why didn't I leave earlier in the game? After all, I was told only 3-4 shots would be used. Crap, I gotta go to the bathroom and I am stuck in this stupid parking lot. Is this guy cutting me off? Doesn't he know who I am?.. Man my head hurts. I should process the photos, see how they worked out. Bah, screw it. I will do it tomorrow, my head and feet really hurt.

That's pretty much it.

Oh!!: don't talk to the players, don't stand in the way, try to be invisible, don't drop your gear, and do understand the consequences of ripping out your clothes and streaking for the one time in your life.

[Naturalist]

...do understand the consequences of ripping out your clothes and streaking for the one time in your life.


I read this, then saw your avatar and cracked up!!!:lol:

[PhotoJourno]

:lol: I did too, when I read your message. (Did not realize my mugshot and comment matched)

[Nick Pro]

:lol: I did too, when I read your message. (Did not realize my mugshot and comment matched)

Oh why did you stop writing the canon he wrote thread!?

That post was genius! Really made me laugh.. :D

[fubarhouse]

As Motorsports is seperate from Sports, I'll still contribute.

As said, free tickets, free food and drink (depending where you are), best seats in the house, free and exclusive parking. You get to go almost anywhere you want, given you consider safety and don't get in anybodies way. I like to get there before spectators, and to leave after closing time. Packing essentials like sunscreen and insect repellant, excessive amounts of memory and battery power and if it's a multiple day event, I'll charge all my batteries overnight. I'm a little excessive. In all, the greatest fun anybody can have is being a pro photographer - if you can make it there.

It's the most fun anybody can have I believe, and that's one reason I started at photography, get out in the sun and enjoy motorsports :) and it will pay off if you are persistant enough :)

However one understandable downfall is, if you mess up on the terms and conditions, they kick you out and won't let you back - and your contract will still be void unless these conditions are on the contract.

[Palladium]

My quick recap:

Free Parking

Free Food (pre game - halftime - post game)

Free Drink

Free Suntan or

Free Weather - be prepared

Long Hours - Hard Work

[PhotoJourno]

Oh why did you stop writing the canon he wrote thread!?

That post was genius! Really made me laugh.. :D


As soon as I can stop the madness here, I will continue writing. Thanks for the Kudos, more will be up shortly. :)

[dmwierz]

OK, I gotta go against the grain.

Sometimes free parking (Wrigley charges $30 for media parking unless you're one of the chosen few)

Sometime free food (all Chicago venues except MLS charge for food)

Sometimes free drinks

Not really free tickets since frequently you don't even have a seat to sit on.

I guess I wasn't going for "how" to shoot a pro event so much as what it's like. The "how" is really the easy part, and this is what most people see when they're watching on TV, or at the game.

Here's what it's like for me:

I'll cover a MLB game since this is what's going on right now (but most sports are similar). I'll also mention what happens if one isn't familiar with a park, as in your first time there.

Fight traffic and arrive at least 3 hours before the game. If new venue, where the heck is media parking? Why am I not on the list? Please, please let me park here. Whadya mean it's $30!

OK, where is media will call? Oh, there it is. Got my credentials, now where is the photo work room? How do I find the team photographer (whose name you found out before you left home, and whom you have either already called or at least emailed)?

Check with team photog or media relations to see if there are any special shooting position assignments. Find out how they want you to travel from first base to third base - some parks don't allow you on the field once the game starts and you either have to go through the stands or they have tunnels under the stands. Some parks let you walk on the field between innings. Ask if you can shoot from in the stands, and if so, where?

Check for line-up (probably not out yet) and get game notes to see what the developing stories are. Decide if you want to start off on first or third base - IMO, decision made by whether starting pitchers are RHP, LHP or both. Any big name hitters you need to get? This could also dictate which side to start at. If ESPN is there, figure out where they have all their gear and if Erin Andrews is working the game. Decide if it's worth it to shoot from the ESPN side (very crowded) in order to be close to Erin Andrews.

Try to reserve your shooting position, but be prepared to be bumped by bigger fish. Cover home team's batting practice from on the field. Make sure to get stock shots of all the stars and any players "in the news". Cover visiting team's batting practice. By now, lineups should be ready so go get one (or several - make "friends" by giving them to other shooters). Get something to eat at media dining room (or some parks, buy yourself something to eat from one of the vendors). Go back to your "reserved" shooting spot to find out who's bumped you. Choose another spot. Make sure your wireless is working. Call your wire service to see who is working and to make sure they have your cell number. Decide if you want to shoot the national anthem/first pitch. Find a chair to sit on in the photo well (or some places, you can't sit so you'll stand).

The game starts. Get stock shots of both pitchers, preferably from their "front" sides. Get as many batter shots as you can. If any interesting action happens get shots of this, As soon as you get good action, or after an inning or two, load your first CF card onto your laptop and start to edit and caption the first set of shots (laptop is on your lap, or if you're really lucky, you have a table-like thing to put it on - good luck seeing the screen if it's daytime, even with a laptop shade - some photo wells are open with no roof). Edit pictures and caption them fully, but don't miss any action while you're doing this. Transmit shots of starting pitchers, high-profile batters and any early game action. Normally this is around 5-10 shots. Deadlines can be tighter for night games as the daily papers need stuff by a certain time to make the morning editions, especially if the visiting team is from the East Coast as their deadlines are an hour earlier than Midwest dailies. Cover a couple to a few innings from one side, then go to the other side and do the same thing. Load your second CF card, review the shots, choose the ones to send, edit and caption them and send another 5-10 or so shots. again without missing any action on the field. After another few innings, if you're allowed, find an alternate shooting position to get some unique angles, like up high, or from center field. Review latest shots, edit and caption keepers and transmit these. Be prepared to get a phone call from your wire service that something is wrong with your shots so could you please re-transmit (or that they need a shot of somebody in particular whom they're writing a story on - hopefully this person is still in the game).

Choose where you're gonna cover the last couple innings from (good to have easy sight lines to the winning team's dugout). Be in position to catch the winning pitcher's jube (normally he'll jube towards his dugout). Shoot post game jube. Go to post-game presser if your credentials allow or if there's anything worth shooting, otherwise load next CF card into your computer, review the next set of images, edit and caption these and transmit them. Normal haul from a game is 20-30 images. This last set can be sent from the photo well or back in the media room - some parks turn out the lights soon after the game and the photo wells can get pretty dark.

Say good-bye to Erin Andrews.

Check with wire to ensure they have what they need. They'll definitely know by now who is the subject of their stories and if they need any other images you haven't sent. By this time, it's probably an hour or two after the game (depending on how long it takes to eidt and transmit your last set of shots) so traffic should be thinning out. Finally get to use the head. Pack up your stuff and roll out of the ballpark.

So, in summary, arrive around 4PM for a 7PM game, and normally leave around midnight or later for an extra inning or rain delayed game. All in a day's work.

Drive home. Go through remainder of game shots to see if there are any more shots worth sending. Edit and caption these and transmit. Get to bed around 2 or 3AM.

If this sounds like "fun", well it is, but it's also a lot more work than anyone ever realizes who doesn't do it. Notice I hardly said anything about where to shoot from, nothing about what settings to use, what equipment, etc. This stuff is assumed to be second nature to anyone covering a game at this level. Being able to shoot the game competently is a given. Being able to do it while editing, captioning, transmitting, moving around, dealing with adverse weather, sitting on hard chairs or standing for hours on end, humping all your gear around the ballpark, etc., this is where things get can get a bit challenging.

Not every game requires live transmission. A couple of my clients allow me to review, edit and caption once I get home or even the next morning. However, the real wires all compete to get images in the next day's papers, so there is tremendous pressure to not only get the shots, but get them sent out on time, during the game while maintaining your coverage of the game. Think about shooting while you're editing. And not just editing - you're also writing detailed captions for all the shots you transmit.

Phew, I'm tired just writing this.

[Galaxy99]

Free Parking - Yes

Free Food - Lunch usually - Yes

Free Drink - Yes

Free Suntan - Free Sunblocks - Yes

No time to enjoy the game - Yes

Long Hours - Hard Work - Yes

Late night work - choose pictures/PP/submit pictures/writing - Yes

Some days feeling like crap - Yes

[manutd101]

Thanks guys, this is really interesting to those of us who never have shot a pro event, just to figure out the workload you guys have :)

[Darsk47]

Good read. Thanks all especially Mario & Dennis for the long posts on the view from the pro insiders.

Mega-logistics that don't really get considered when you see a shooter on the sidelines and think - 'great spot , wish I could shoot from there'. Not to mention you still must get superb shots.

Nobody mentioned fans other than part of the pedestrian crowd - any spectators ever get confrontational or try to grab some of your gear with all the commotion going on during a big league game?
Darcy

[scotteisenphotography]

Shot the redsox once. It was actually quite laid back. Parked, had free food, best seats in the park. We all sat aronud shooting and talking the whole time. I guess it might be different for the photogs that need to get their photos somewhere ASAP. we also had a room out back with tons of internet hookups for our laptops.

[eddarr]

Say good-bye to Erin Andrews.



After three references I had to google Erin Andrews just to find out what the deal was.

[manutd101]

After three references I had to google Erin Andrews just to find out what the deal was.
Me too :o

[Darsk47]

Ed - ManU

Aren't you glad you did !!!

[manutd101]

Ed - ManU

Aren't you glad you did !!!
Haha yes :eek:

[fslshooter]

I shoot professional baseball almost exclusively and most is freelance and on speculation. In baseball there are at least six professional levels in each organization -- Rookie, Low A, High A, AA, AAA and the majors. Of these I shoot Rookie, High A and AA minor league baseball the great majority of the time. Here's how my shooting season goes.

I begin preparing for the season as soon as Baseball America publishes their prospect handbook -- a couple months before the baseball season begins. Using it I develop what I call my "To Shoot" database because images of guys in BA's handbook are the best sellers. Games start with Spring Training when pitchers and catchers report to camp in mid February and I shoot a dozen or more ST games. Then the minor league season begins in early April and I shoot the Florida State League Top Prospect card set. To shoot the 24 guys in the set (two from each team) I travel to the 12 FSL ballparks in Florida -- I drove over 2,600 miles in three weeks to shoot this year's set. Then I concentrate my efforts on guys in my to shoot database. This involves tracking pitching rotations because starting pitchers normally pitch only every fifth day and in order to get action shots I need to be at games when they pitch.

The MLB draft is in mid June and images of the top draft picks are the best rookie sellers. So I track top draft picks noting which draftees will be playing in Florida. There are 16 Rookie level teams in the state and I work my schedule according to where the top draft picks are playing. I'm on the road a big part of every week and staying overnight in areas where I'll be shooting.

As soon as the minor league season ends the first of September, I shoot the FSL Championship series. Then Instructional baseball starts and I shoot as much of it as I can because organizations typically send their top prospects to Instructs. Their games are played at the Spring training venues in Florida in September and October.

Immediately after I shoot each game, I download images, add the player's name to each image file, upload images to clients and update my database of guys I've shot. By the end of the season I'll have about 1,500 different players in my database and several baseball card quality images of each guy.

It's a very long season for me -- starting in mid February and ending in late October. I shoot more than 100 games, drive more than 15,000 miles, stay 50 or more nights in cheap hotels, eat too many ballpark meals, miss a lot of meals and get rained out several games during the season. It's a long slog and I don't make very much money doing it but I get the best "seat" in the ballpark free and meet hundreds of players a few of whom make it to the show. I love the game of baseball and being up close and personal to the action plus getting to know the guys before they make it to the majors keeps me going.

[manutd101]

Thanks for your experiences!

[Strnge]

Erin Andrews = HOT!

[mizouse]

I'm no pro, but does it count if i got to shoot with pro photographers?

Pretty much what you guys said about the free food parking tickets etc applied to me as well.

[danaitch]

Well, from the perspective of being the team photographer for Britain's National football Champions, my home game day goes something like this -

Check batteries and cards the night before, pack kit and leave it all by the front door.

Sunday morning - Drag my mountains of kit to the bus stop (I really can't justify the expense of a car in Central London) and hope a '253' comes along before a '29' (I prefer not to get verbal abuse and a knife in the guts if I can help it).

Get to Finsbury Park around midday, for a 2.30pm kick-off. Stand around wondering why on earth I continue to get here this early for no good reason. Say hi to those players who aren't wearing their "Keep away, I'm in the zone" face. Say hi to any of the away team I know. Sit on the ground and wait for something to start happening...

Wonder if I'll break my ankle in any of the cracks on or around the playing surface.

Introduce myself to the 'away' coach and officials as they stagger out of the changing rooms (staggering cos it's tough to hold your breath for that long).

Shoot some of the warm-ups, but then realise there's no real point - ugly men starting to sweat just don't make popular images. ;)

Suffer the usual weird looks from passers-by who wonder why their walk through the park is being ruined by the weirdos with helmets and shoulder pads running around and shouting.

Suffer the "Are you a photographer? Take my photo!" challenges from the kids who suddenly accumulate on the sidelines, in response to the sounds of the game. Take some of their photos (the ones with knives, at least).

Turn my ankle and use my face to break my fall, as usual. It sounds worse than it is - the multitude of goose turds across the field usually make for a soft landing.

Shoot the game, trying not to 'verbal' any of the away team if they make a good play. Try not to call the play to the Blitz defense if the offensive huddle is in the endzone. :p

Realise I've forgotten to bring anything to eat, at halftime. Realise I've forgotten my own bottle of water and steal some from the players bench. Spit out the insects and grit.

Finish the game and rush home on another '253'. Wash my clothes and lower legs. Bandage my face. Process my photos and start to upload them, leaving the Mac to finish off overnight.

Not much different to other versions, really. :(

[manutd101]

Thanks. How many photogs are at a British American football game?

[DC Fan]

The Sports Shooter web site (http://www.sportsshooter.com/) is a good source of information from those who face the real-world pressures of deadlines and production. There's also useful information at the Rob Galbraith site. (http://www.robgalbraith.com/)

[manutd101]

The Sports Shooter web site (http://www.sportsshooter.com/) is a good source of information from those who face the real-world pressures of deadlines and production. There's also useful information at the Rob Galbraith site. (http://www.robgalbraith.com/)
Yeah, I know about sports shooter, but its obviously a place for those who are already shooting sports as a way to make money, so I figured that people on this site would enjoy learning a little about what its like to be a working pro. But thanks for the links :)

[MJPhotos24]

MiLB
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=520214&highlight=MILB

Whole new situations for MLB, NFL, NHL...

As for getting everything free, not the case many times and you have to pay for parking, pay for food, pay tolls, pay for drinks, where's this person giving away suntan lotion? Never seen them. It's a job, good one, but a job.

[manutd101]

MiLB
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=520214&highlight=MILB

Whole new situations for MLB, NFL, NHL...

As for getting everything free, not the case many times and you have to pay for parking, pay for food, pay tolls, pay for drinks, where's this person giving away suntan lotion? Never seen them. It's a job, good one, but a job.
Cool, thanks for the link Mike (seen it before but still some good info there for ya'll to check out) :)

[danaitch]

Thanks. How many photogs are at a British American football game?

Only from my experience, and other than the very few national BAFL-friendly photographers (all of whom produce absolutely superb stuff - check www.imacimages.co.uk or www.grahambeardsleyphotography.co.uk ) -

Holding a compact camera at arms length to get photos of a boyfriend/brother/son/etc. - 10 or so.

Using a DSLR but not knowing anything about the game other than when their boyfriend/brother/son/etc. is on the field - 3 or 4.

Using a DSLR and knowing enough about the game to get a good shot now and again - one?!

Using a DSLR and shooting off about 500 shots per game, getting SOME good stuff - One, maybe two. One of these will probably be shooting at shutter priority because it's a sporting event and ruining the shots they could have got with a huge DOF.

Arguments on the sidelines about who's in whose face/place/space - None!

Free food, parking, media guides, photographers rooms, storage areas, internet, etc. - Somewhere between none and bu99er all.

I actually PAY to be the Blitz' photographer! :eek:

Daft, I know. :rolleyes:

[DC Fan]

Did anyone here ever use a Leafax 35?

[manutd101]

Only from my experience, and other than the very few national BAFL-friendly photographers (all of whom produce absolutely superb stuff - check www.imacimages.co.uk (http://www.imacimages.co.uk) or www.grahambeardsleyphotography.co.uk (http://www.grahambeardsleyphotography.co.uk) ) -

Holding a compact camera at arms length to get photos of a boyfriend/brother/son/etc. - 10 or so.

Using a DSLR but not knowing anything about the game other than when their boyfriend/brother/son/etc. is on the field - 3 or 4.

Using a DSLR and knowing enough about the game to get a good shot now and again - one?!

Using a DSLR and shooting off about 500 shots per game, getting SOME good stuff - One, maybe two. One of these will probably be shooting at shutter priority because it's a sporting event and ruining the shots they could have got with a huge DOF.

Arguments on the sidelines about who's in whose face/place/space - None!

Free food, parking, media guides, photographers rooms, storage areas, internet, etc. - Somewhere between none and bu99er all.

I actually PAY to be the Blitz' photographer! :eek:

Daft, I know. :rolleyes:
You pay them!? Don't do that to yourself ;)

[HuskiesD1]

Not quite a pro event, but as an intern at daily in Minnesota, I've covered a few minor league games.

Games don't start till 7, I get to the office by around 2, shoot whatever else they need.

Pack all gear plus 300 f/2.8 into trunk, drive two miles to the stadium. Yep, we're that close :)

Stadium lacks photo wells, but you are welcomed to shoot from either the dugout, the stands, or the fence.

Should I choose dugout, I have to deal with pissed baseball players who instantly throw stuff, kick stuff, scream, curse and then finally give a really big smile as though I need their mug shot. It's funny, though I got hit by helmets twice last summer shooting for the school paper.

Check watch every five minutes. Check LCD screen even more.

Get a phone call for the paper about a fire a couple miles away. Get out of the building only to receive a second phone call saying that there is no fire and somehow someone convinced themselves that flames were pouring out of a building - OK.

Shoot either till 845 or until you have 2-3 good photos.

Or.... like in my first game, start a downpour in the opening ceremony and end up shooting a feature with bat boys collecting rainwater in cups.

Get back, edit for deadline. Smile.

[manutd101]

Not quite a pro event, but as an intern at daily in Minnesota, I've covered a few minor league games.

Games don't start till 7, I get to the office by around 2, shoot whatever else they need.

Pack all gear plus 300 f/2.8 into trunk, drive two miles to the stadium. Yep, we're that close :)

Stadium lacks photo wells, but you are welcomed to shoot from either the dugout, the stands, or the fence.

Should I choose dugout, I have to deal with pissed baseball players who instantly throw stuff, kick stuff, scream, curse and then finally give a really big smile as though I need their mug shot. It's funny, though I got hit by helmets twice last summer shooting for the school paper.

Check watch every five minutes. Check LCD screen even more.

Get a phone call for the paper about a fire a couple miles away. Get out of the building only to receive a second phone call saying that there is no fire and somehow someone convinced themselves that flames were pouring out of a building - OK.

Shoot either till 845 or until you have 2-3 good photos.

Or.... like in my first game, start a downpour in the opening ceremony and end up shooting a feature with bat boys collecting rainwater in cups.

Get back, edit for deadline. Smile.
Sweet! Thanks.

[michael_]

i started shoooting motorsport early last year, come august i started to get accreditation to local club level stuff, which isnt much to write about, come 2008 it all snowballed, (motorsport, tennis, afl [australian footbal league] all high profile gigs).

Tennis

2008 started with the Medibank International Tennis in Sydney, each sport has varying levels and Tennis has to be the most difficult because of the long hours and week long events.

My event started a few days prior to the main draw, it was my first time shooting a professional tournament so wanted to get in as much as possible before the main draw, i went along to qualifiers, got my accreditation and scouted the venues and see where i had access too.

Come the start of the event i arrived about 2hrs before the first match which was schedule for about 11am, setup my laptop in the media room, check out the schedule of play for the day and plan where i was going to go, add some of my gear to my locker (ie flash and shoter lenses).

I got down to the media pit on centre court a good 20min before the match was to start, check my settings and get ready to shoot, after about 7 games and moving along the media pit to get both sides of each player its time to move and go up in the stands for different angles, get the shots i needed of both players then quickly get back to the media room, download my shots, tag, rename, keyword, edit iptc info quickly pp and send 5-10 images to my photo editor for the match then its on to the next match either on centre court or one of the outer courts.

Stop for a quick break at lunch grab some off the free food available to media in the media restaurant then back in the media room and look through my shots again see if there is anything i missed.

Come about 4pm each day the sun creates an awesome shadow and amazing golden light on centre court so i have to make sure im there for that for the 30 or so minutes its available.

At the end of the days play grab a quick bite of dinner which was usually pretty good, was catered for but was not free but reasonably priced (only lunch, drinks, icecreams where free) then get ready for the nights session which started in the media pit and moving around, after the days play get my shots out, do bit more editing and finally leave the media room, some nights it was about 11pm on a few nights when matches went rather late i was out of there by about 2am. When i got home i would backup my shots and upload the rest to a few other sites and be in bed by 2am most nights.

Rinse Repeat for 6 days.

Motorsport

Depending on the track and if i have been before, if not go the day before the event starts, get my passes and check out spots to go and where the sun will be, check out the media room and get ready for a hektic few days.

The days usually start a good few hours before anything starts, ill arrive pretty early (7am) setup in the media room then start by walking around the pits and checking out all the usual suspects getting the stock shots i need before spectators crowd the place, go back dump my shots, catalogue etc and get a few out or online.

When everything is ready to go i like to start with grid shots then move around the track to a variety of different positions, depending on the track and the event i can either drive to the spots i want or i have to hike or i can get the media bus, after i have the shots i need and depending on the race ill go back to the media room, dump and get them out, its pretty straight forward, rinse repeat then at the end of the day do a lot more editing, see if there are any stories i need to follow up on or get shots for for the next day, the day usually ends about 7pm, get home, dump, backup and rest up for another hard day.

Do this for the few days of the event and make sure i am close to the pits for the last few races.

AFL

Much like tennis but only for a few hours and once a week, my only deadline is by the next morning for the newspaper i cover matches for and the league for their website (im the official photog for the league), its a little easier to shoot because i can stay for the entire match and get plenty of shots.

------------------

For me most of my time is spent getting images out, the actual shooting is part and parcel, depending on the sport there can be some research or time spent working out what or how you plan to shoot the next day, it is fun, sometimes not cheap because you have to pay for petrol, parking, food, travel expenses but for the most part i am paid to be there so the stress of making sure i get the right shots isnt there so for me makes it easier to get what i or the client wants.

[HuskiesD1]

High school football is a little different, but I've yet to shoot a football game for a paper.

Here goes anyways..

Get there early. Even small schools will have a huge turnout and you won't be able to find a good parking space.

Fight through a crowd of fans, show a security person (I won't say guard because all these people really do is stand there, look at you, and make a joke about yours lens. Every. Time.) only to realize that there are already a half dozen parents with point and shoots, SLR's, and the amazing video camera that will die by halftime in a storm of cursing.

Shoot the game, while avoiding little kids, parents w/cameras, getting photos of ref butt.

For my last game of the season last year, I also learned why its important to at least KNEEL while shooting. A team had the ball at about the four yard line and I choose to sit (and I mean sit) very near to the pileon in hopes of getting a good close photo. The play was a running sweep - right at me. The players were at a perfect distance, camera focused, shutter button halfway down when I felt something coming from my right. A referee plowed into me, knocking me back, leaving my camera somewhere on my side, and tossing my 1.4x Kenko that used to be in my across my chest - literally passing over my face as I fell.

Immediately after this takes place, two players collide right in front me.

Asked by four people if I was OK. I smiled and kept shooting.

[manutd101]

Haha, good stories guys. Hopefully your 1.4 was OK!

[namasste]

As for the best seats in the house, sometimes this isn't even true (if you are a low man in photo well so to speak). There are times I might have had a better view for a shot from the first few rows than on the field. There was a also a time I got to my photo hole and setup camp (hockey) only to get pulled away by the team media person who needed me in the locker room. Got back to find my photo hole occupied by another photog who refused to move or share..made for some tense times for sure. As stated already, enjoying the game isn't really a part of the plan usually.

[dmwierz]

Not quite a pro event, but as an intern at daily in Minnesota, I've covered a few minor league games.

Games don't start till 7, I get to the office by around 2, shoot whatever else they need.

Pack all gear plus 300 f/2.8 into trunk, drive two miles to the stadium. Yep, we're that close :)

Stadium lacks photo wells, but you are welcomed to shoot from either the dugout, the stands, or the fence.

Should I choose dugout, I have to deal with pissed baseball players who instantly throw stuff, kick stuff, scream, curse and then finally give a really big smile as though I need their mug shot. It's funny, though I got hit by helmets twice last summer shooting for the school paper.

Check watch every five minutes. Check LCD screen even more.

Get a phone call for the paper about a fire a couple miles away. Get out of the building only to receive a second phone call saying that there is no fire and somehow someone convinced themselves that flames were pouring out of a building - OK.

Shoot either till 845 or until you have 2-3 good photos.

Or.... like in my first game, start a downpour in the opening ceremony and end up shooting a feature with bat boys collecting rainwater in cups.

Get back, edit for deadline. Smile.

Do you cover the St Paul Saints? If so, I've seen REAL fires just over the right field wall, as that's where they used to have a fire department training building. Sometimes more interesting than the game.

[HuskiesD1]

Do you cover the St Paul Saints? If so, I've seen REAL fires just over the right field wall, as that's where they used to have a fire department training building. Sometimes more interesting than the game.

I got to go to one St Paul Saints game.

It was rained out. Thanks, Minnesota.

[HuskiesD1]

Haha, good stories guys. Hopefully your 1.4 was OK!

It was. It later suffered a horrible, horrible accident involving a fall from a ladder while attached to a 70-200 that barely fit in the bag.

It split in half and tore part of the mount of the 70-200.

Good Times. Good Times.

[grego]

I have to admit, I hijacked this idea from Dennis (dmwierz (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/member.php?u=30897)), but it was just such a good idea it needed a thread. So, without further ado, the question to all you pro sports photogs (or those that have shot pro), what is it really like? For those of us who never have, what don't we know? Feel free to share whatever you like. Thanks!

Depends on the sport and what type of event it is (playoffs/big rival/etc.) I do have to say, if you came to watch the sport, you just missed all your important photos. For me, you do not even realize the game has gone by or some big moments do not strike you the same way as they would if you were a fan of that team. All you are worried about is getting that shot from that key/big play.

In a sense it seems cooler than it is really is at times. Depending upon the event, parking and food can be free or it might not be.

For me, I tend to get nervous for those big events, so I try to be at the location very early. I'm paranoid that something might go wrong if I'm not there early enough and it happens.

I would say my coolest moment was when the great SI photographer, John W. McDonough (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/multimedia/photo_gallery/2005/07/20/gallery.mcdonough/content.2.html) complimented me on my basketball photos during the NCAA tournament. That was probably the high point in my sports shooting so far.

The coolest thing is meeting the other photogs I think. That is what I liked best. Most of them are very friendly and helpful. Very fun to hang around and then look at the photos they edit and send to their editor once they are done shooting. I think that is probably one of the best parts.

Some games were super fun and then there were a few others that had their annoying parts and sad parts (like witnessing UCLA basketball lose and UCLA women's soccer in the final game lose a few feet in front of me). Oh and big sweaty players falling on you sucks (although much worse to get hit by football players running into the sidelines).

[manutd101]

It was. It later suffered a horrible, horrible accident involving a fall from a ladder while attached to a 70-200 that barely fit in the bag.

It split in half and tore part of the mount of the 70-200.

Good Times. Good Times.
:eek: Holy crap!

[neumanns]

I like to show up halfway through the game shoot a couple shot's in "P" mode then get to the pub in time for happy hour to beat the exiting rush. After a few drinks I head home so I can send in the best two or three shots of the five or so that I took to the editor and watch a little Television while waiting for the editor of SI to call and let me know that I got yet another cover shot.
.
.
.
.
All this happens in the last ten minutes or so before I wake up and realize one of the kids is crying in the other room.

(Sorry, I couldn't resist)

[HuskiesD1]

I like to show up halfway through the game shoot a couple shot's in "P" mode then get to the pub in time for happy hour to beat the exiting rush. After a few drinks I head home so I can send in the best two or three shots of the five or so that I took to the editor and watch a little Television while waiting for the editor of SI to call and let me know that I got yet another cover shot.
.
.
.
.
All this happens in the last ten minutes or so before I wake up and realize one of the kids is crying in the other room.

(Sorry, I couldn't resist)

Oh my god! That's how I first got published in SI too! :)

[GooGaBu Photos]

Well, I saw this post few days back - but have been a little busy since then. But wanted to add my little point of view to this thread as well.

I have now been doing photography as full time for few months, so my experiences might not be too broad and doing it here in FInland. The scene might be very different, but here's an idea what I think of shooting as a 'pro'.

In my opinion one of the most important things when covering sport is that you 'KNOW THE SPORT'. You will have a much higher chance of being able to get decent shots if you know the sport you are photographing. I mean, if you have never seen a game of football (that's soccer) in your life. You might struggle to get nice shots from the game.
Knowing the game, the team and players will help you anticipate the events on the field better.
You know which players are likely to go for big tackles.. big hits or what ever it is that happens in your chosen sport.

It also helps to know the arena/rink where you shoot, that way you don't have to rush there hours in advance to check the lighting or which way the sun shines or how the shadow from the terrace moves during the game. Because you already know all this.

I suppose in Finland the rules and regulations on where you can shoot are bit more relaxed than in the U.S or U.K. In here the comments I have received many times when asking where I am allowed to shoot is, ' well, just don't go to the pitch...'

One issue that for me is one that causes 'head aches' is, is there WIFI at the arena that i can tap into. Or do I need to use my 3G internet. As I usually have a deadline to deliver the pictures no later than 15-30 minutes after the game.
So to get the pics from the CF card to the Mac and quick edit and sending 4-6 pictures per paper... I am sometimes cutting it very close ..

But, all in all I think shooting sports is MUCH less stressful than my previous work as a Chef.

Just few views from someone who has just started to make money out of this...

[manutd101]

Well, I saw this post few days back - but have been a little busy since then. But wanted to add my little point of view to this thread as well.

I have now been doing photography as full time for few months, so my experiences might not be too broad and doing it here in FInland. The scene might be very different, but here's an idea what I think of shooting as a 'pro'.

In my opinion one of the most important things when covering sport is that you 'KNOW THE SPORT'. You will have a much higher chance of being able to get decent shots if you know the sport you are photographing. I mean, if you have never seen a game of football (that's soccer) in your life. You might struggle to get nice shots from the game.
Knowing the game, the team and players will help you anticipate the events on the field better.
You know which players are likely to go for big tackles.. big hits or what ever it is that happens in your chosen sport.

It also helps to know the arena/rink where you shoot, that way you don't have to rush there hours in advance to check the lighting or which way the sun shines or how the shadow from the terrace moves during the game. Because you already know all this.

I suppose in Finland the rules and regulations on where you can shoot are bit more relaxed than in the U.S or U.K. In here the comments I have received many times when asking where I am allowed to shoot is, ' well, just don't go to the pitch...'

One issue that for me is one that causes 'head aches' is, is there WIFI at the arena that i can tap into. Or do I need to use my 3G internet. As I usually have a deadline to deliver the pictures no later than 15-30 minutes after the game.
So to get the pics from the CF card to the Mac and quick edit and sending 4-6 pictures per paper... I am sometimes cutting it very close ..

But, all in all I think shooting sports is MUCH less stressful than my previous work as a Chef.

Just few views from someone who has just started to make money out of this...
Great point on knowing the sport. It is very true.

[polarbare]

I'd also like to take a moment to everyone who's posted. There's lots of good insight in this thread including things I've never really thought about before.

[Borderfox]

Free Parking

Free Food

Free Drink

Long Hours - Hard Work ;)

I would second that, and also add that overseas work takes a lot of effort.

[clayk]

Did anyone here ever use a Leafax 35?

Wow, what a blast from the past. My company bought one of the very first ones,serial number 23 I think. It was the one with the separate monitor that was just a standalone portable television. We also used Companders with it for high speed transmission to a very early AP picture desk (not the Leaf, the Vax system)

[DC Fan]

Wow, what a blast from the past. My company bought one of the very first ones,serial number 23 I think. It was the one with the separate monitor that was just a standalone portable television. We also used Companders with it for high speed transmission to a very early AP picture desk (not the Leaf, the Vax system)

Then you're one of the people who can appreciate how things have changed and improved. :)

The Leafax 35 was the absolute, ultimate, state-of-the-art device for remote deadline image transfer in the old days of photography, back in the ancient days of, oh, 1988.

In those days, when you'd take a few dozen 36-exposure rolls of film to an event, you'd have to break away early from an event to process film and scan the images for processing, and the scanners usually were a long way from the event. The Leafax 35 was a film scanner and CRT monitor built into a suitcase-sized aluminum case, heavy but portable for its day. In the era of the V.32 modem, it saved the time of having to rush a long way to find a place to transmit images.

Those were the days when a newpaper photographer would be lucky to be able to get a picture from the first few minutes of a night sporting event into print. Now, with the widespread availability of portable broadband internet access through WiFi and EV-DO, you can all but get every image to a photo editor as soon as it's taken.

There's an interesting interview available with Peter Read Miller, (http://www.usa.canon.com/dlc/controller?act=GetArticleAct&articleID=1126&fromTips=1) whose career extends from long before the Leafax 35 era to the digital era.

[clayk]

[QUOTE=DC Fan;5888228]Then you're one of the people who can appreciate how things have changed and improved. :)

I actually remember working with the AP's "blue box" transmitter. I actually traveled by air with the thing to do remote jobs, usually football and basketball. I remember when the portable spinning drum model came out I thought I had died and gone to heaven.