Just starting in Sport Photography C&Cwelcome

[rodddy]

I'm just trying to get started in shooting local sporting events (hockey, horse shows, motosport etc). I'm looking at shooting an event, setting up a booth and selling images to mostly parents and possibly fans.
This is my first trial, just as P.R and I'm friends with the parents.

1.http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3361/3215682058_c83baee4d3.jpg

2.http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3385/3215667830_3330a32565.jpg

3.http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3323/3215690034_40a2f89546.jpg

4.http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3412/3214796695_4b57e1c010.jpg

5.http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3127/3214811865_1654d27bf5.jpg

[northpointphoto]

Nice shots.

Not much I can criticize about on these photos other than the ice looks blown out on some of the images which is probably inevitable shooting hockey. The players are nicely exposed which IMO is more important. I've never shot hockey before so I cant really comment much

[40Dude6aedyk]

Great shots! 2 quibbles: In #2 the mutant has an extra leg and an extra stick. In #4 crop out the 2 distracting black objects in the lower right.

[Lightchaser]

I don't shoot hockey either but these look great to me. Nice and sharp, good timing. The colour looks a little off in a couple. Do you have a grey card? Or a bit of white paper to custom set the WB.

[shaner123]

Good stuff. I agree that ice does look a little blown out but ya, besides that the plays are extremely focused and bright.. could you share your settings??

[Peter Camyre]

Nice "punchy" colors. I'd say you did well.

[Lacks_focus]

They look good. I'd experiment with WB a bit. Some look a little off to me. Also, if you intend to start offering these for sale, I find there are three basic requirements. Clearly focused face, puck and some action. Your #3, while interesting as it is a goal, would probably never sell... No face. Picture it on someone's refrigerator. Unless that was the game winning shot or had some other significant importance, no sale. #2 and 4 are OK.

I work with one local HS team (my son is on it) and have shot all but two of the games this season as well as the team and individual shots for the team's program. I also provided the team shot to the HS yearbook staff. I worked with the team's booster club before the season started and set up a deal where I would donate the profits to the club at the end of the season, minus my basic expenses like Smugmug Pro account subscription and taxes. Sales have been pretty good this year and I should have a decent amount to turn over. Local HS hockey gets very little money from the schools, and the sport is expensive. There are other fundraisers, this is just my contribution. No, I'm not making a profit, but the exposure is priceless and I would shoot all the games anyway! What I'm trying to says is getting your name out there, with a portfolio to back it up, is what I think is important at this point. Looking at what has been selling, the face in focus and some action are definitely a priority. Also, the team pic has sold pretty well.

I do it as easy as possible. No booth, no preorders. I have a card I pass out with my Smugmug account on it. People can look though and pick what they want when they want.

I will also say this is probably much more work than people realize. I have 4 to 5 hours invested per game. Generally two hours to shoot it. The weeding, processing and posting will eat 2 to 3 more hours depending on how many shots I take. I normally post 100 to 130 shots per game. Also, on a larger scale, I help a guy from time to time with gymnastics. He is a partner in a event photography business, that after several years of doing it small scale, has gained a very solid rep. He does a booth and a slide show at the meets, but sales are done just like I do. I worked with him on a 3 day meet last weekend. There were 8 sessions of gymnastics; 4 boys and 4 girls. I have 28 hours invested in JUST THE SHOOTING! Then for this past week, I have spent every spare moment on the processing and posting. I took almost 6000 pictures and posted well over 1500. No, I was not in burst mode. I did the whole meet in single shot. There were just that many gymnasts... I'll get paid for this one, but I like photography too much to figure out what my hourly wage would be based on the number of hours I have wrapped up in it...

Sorry for the long post, I just think (because I know I did) that this is more work than people realize. Just be ready for the bruised thumbs, sore shoulders, blurry eyes, tired feet and back, not to mention the countless hours in front of the computer that comes with the fame and fortune:)... It’s still fun though!

[RGolfJ]

Well put lacks, I agree with everything you said.

[beacherz]

Nice exposure and focus. Maybe a little wb adjustment in a few. Which lens were you using? Curious if it was the 85 1.8. Good luck with sales.

[rodddy]

Thanks, I used the 70-200mm f2.8 IS.