Help with NFL pre-game shooting

[MagikTrik]

Ok, first off I'm not a big sports photographer. Not really by choice as I love it when I get the chance but the local HS is usually pretty strict about who shoots & since I can't start there I can't really progress anywhere.
Anyway I somehow got lucky & got a chance to go down on the field before the Pittsburgh Steeler game on Monday through a contest (sort of). First I thought it was just that I would be allowed on the field & that alone got me super excited just because I'm a lifelong Steeler's fan & it would be cool. Tonight though, I learned two important things.

1) The team will be on the field warming up.

&

2) Although I'm not allowed to speak to them or ask for autographs I AM allowed to take as many pictures as I want.

So my question is..... what do I do? What do I look for, how do I shoot them, how do I shoot the stadium, where do I start, what should I make absolutely sure I get, etc, etc, etc.

Any & all tips will be extremely appreciated & just to be clear I have to go up to my seat before the game but I have about 2 hours on the field before-hand.

[DC Fan]

Look for facial expressions. You'll find a wide range of looks on the faces of the players and coaches as they warm up.

[dmwierz]

The best shots during warm-up are frequently of the players' faces. Get as tight as you can. I checked your equipment list and you really don't have any long glass. Might try your 70-200 with your extender although my experience with the 2X has rarely been satisfactory - plus since this is a Monday night game, it will likely be dark, and losing 2 stops of light might be a killer. If you can get close enough, the 70-200 might be long enough.

Alternately, even (and no, this is not heresy), use your S5 IS 'cuz this will be your longest focal length option, however you'll also be challenged by a the smaller aperture of this camera at the long focal length.

On a football field, it's next to impossible to shoot warm-ups and have it not look like warm-ups, so my advice is don't even try. The backgrounds will be full of other players of the same team (even the scrimmages may have the same jersey covering the same jersey), coaches, ball-boys, etc. Plus, the players won't have their mouthguards in, which is a sure give away that the photo was taken in non-game "action".

Look for moments when the players are talking to each other or to the coaches, or joking, or otherwise relaxing before going into "battle", etc. One of the other good things about warm-ups is the players often take their helmets off, so you can get very good shots of their faces.

Most of all, have fun!

[MagikTrik]

Look for facial expressions. You'll find a wide range of looks on the faces of the players and coaches as they warm up.
Thank you very much, great idea.

The best shots during warm-up are frequently of the players' faces. Get as tight as you can. I checked your equipment list and you really don't have any long glass. Might try your 70-200 with your extender although my experience with the 2X has rarely been satisfactory - plus since this is a Monday night game, it will likely be dark, and losing 2 stops of light might be a killer. If you can get close enough, the 70-200 might be long enough.

Alternately, even (and no, this is not heresy), use your S5 IS 'cuz this will be your longest focal length option, however you'll also be challenged by a the smaller aperture of this camera at the long focal length.

On a football field, it's next to impossible to shoot warm-ups and have it not look like warm-ups, so my advice is don't even try. The backgrounds will be full of other players of the same team (even the scrimmages may have the same jersey covering the same jersey), coaches, ball-boys, etc. Plus, the players won't have their mouthguards in, which is a sure give away that the photo was taken in non-game "action".

Look for moments when the players are talking to each other or to the coaches, or joking, or otherwise relaxing before going into "battle", etc. One of the other good things about warm-ups is the players often take their helmets off, so you can get very good shots of their faces.

Most of all, have fun!

Man, thank you sooooo much, that is EXACTLY what I was hoping to find here. Great tips & ideas, thank you very much.

[PhotosGuy]

Might try your 70-200 with your extender although my experience with the 2X has rarely been satisfactory I have it with the 2X TC & feel that it needs to be at f/8-11 to be sharp enough. I would use it without the TC at f/2.8, though.
70-200 f/2.8 & 2X TC combination "Test" (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=444369)
There's a link to other tests in there & Post #8 shows f/8 effective.

[mpeters]

I'll second Dennis' recommendation on the S5 IS. It has decent IQ, is your longest lens and you won't have a problem bringing it through the gate. Before you pack your kit bag with a DSLR and a couple of lenses confirm that you will be able to bring them in.

The other thing to shoot in the warm ups is the cheerleaders as they will be wandering around.

Unfortunately, the stands won't be filled yet, so wide angle environmental shots aren't as cool as during the game.

[FrickzPicz]

I pretty much travel around the United States going to 49ers games. Due to the Owner seeing me at alot of games, he gives me that cherished field pass now and then. Either way i have noticed that just getting there 2 hours before the game when the gates open up. You can get some good pregame shots from just standing in the endzone or sidelines.

I am not a pro in anyway. But i have noticed the best thing to do, is 1) like stated above, focus on facial expressions and when they take off their helmets. But what i like and tend to get some good shots out of is focusing on the ball. Not the ball itself just kind of knowing where its going to be. Like a QB if he is about to release a pass focus on him and be ready. After you get a few of that, focus on the receivers hands but dont forget his body in the picture. When the ball is in the air and almost there start snapping. You can get some really good shots of his face and eye contact on the ball and then eventually the ball reaching its target.

I see this thread is almost 2 months old, but i figured id give my take on it for anyone in the future as well.

[DDCSD]

How did it go OP?