FIRST Sports Shoot!!!

[RbrtPtikLeoSeny]

Hey everyone. Just got my 20d about 4 or so days ago. Went to my little brothers track meet today with my 50mm f/1.8 and did my best to get some decent shots. Not easy with that lens, and the coach wouldn't let me on the field. Had to stand behind the fense and do my best to shoot over it.... terrible working conditions..... o well though got a few decent ones.

My 70-200mm f/4 is comming in sometime today SO EXCITED!:D

Anyway this was shot f/4.0 1/5000th ISO 400 and of course AI Servo.

[blinking8s]

exposure and all that tech blabble looks fine to...but you need to try REALLY hard to position yourself to capture the athletes face...a more head on view really helps. We arnt allowed on the track at the events I go to, so I find a corner going into a turn, or coming out of a turn, or go inside the track...

[RbrtPtikLeoSeny]

I know, I thought about that, and tried to find a place where I could get such a shot, but it was either too far for my 50mm to reach, or some place they wouldn't allow us. The coaches were wicked strict.... no clue why. Getting my 70-200 today hopefully, and then I'll have the zoom I need to get shots like that. So thanks for the advice! I think I also need to get the legs... couldn't do that because of the fense.... gaaahhhhh so evil.

[R Schade]

You'll love the 70-200 for track. For that matter, anything outside. The 50's a little too short for track. But you seem to have your settings right. Where I shoot, I have a very good vantage point that puts me right at the finish line and ther is a gate there so I can shoot right down the throat using AI servo mode. I'm probably less than 75feet from the finish line. You'll get allot of facial expression there as everyone is really pushing to hit the tape. I also get close to the fense in some of these running events and I can 1/4 my shots with pretty good results. My daughter's run relay and the 100 and 200m sprints, so my shooting finds me where I can get the shot. Like your coaches, they don't let you to close too the track. I would love to get in the infield.
Good luck, too bad track seasons coming to an end, but you'll have lenty of uses for it this summer.

[RbrtPtikLeoSeny]

Thanks! Yea, I was horrified when he wouldn't let me on the field. I thought that was so stupid. I was ready to say I was a photographer for the news paper or something so he'd let me in. Not a big fan of lying though.... thanks for the shooting spot idea! There's something similar at our track that I could try. I'll see if I can do that today if my lens comes in on time.

And yea, it's sad that track is almost over, but there's till lacrosse going on for quite some time. That and there are kids who play their sports year round. So, there's almost always something sports to shoot. This sunday I'm shooting my little brothers lacrosse game. Can't wait!

[R Schade]

I have a friend whos daughter dose this and uses a 10d like myself. Here he take his shots down by the goal he uses a 100-300mm but most of his shots are within 30 yards so he gets some great pictures of the action Depending where you shoot youll have to see where the shots and actions occuring left or right of the cage and most players are right handed so you'l have to decide wher on that line youl be shooting. It's not like my favorite basketball, but the rules still apply you will see the players comming in from your left. Fast shutter, arround 500th iso could be 200-400 probably the later. I know gmen has a post somewhere on this forum.

[R Schade]

By the way Blinking8s one fine shooter himself! I've seen his post over the past year, there great.

[RbrtPtikLeoSeny]

Yea I know. I've seen his work too and it's fantastic. Hopefully I'll become that good.

[RbrtPtikLeoSeny]

Oh yea, and he's the one who suggested I shoot in f/4 a few days ago for the track meet. Thanks for that blinking8s! Worked great.

[IndyJeff]

Thanks! Yea, I was horrified when he wouldn't let me on the field. I thought that was so stupid. I was ready to say I was a photographer for the news paper or something so he'd let me in. Not a big fan of lying though.... thanks for the shooting spot idea! There's something similar at our track that I could try. I'll see if I can do that today if my lens comes in on time.


Saying your working for a newspaper when in fact your not is about the quickest way to get a name and reputation, for the worse. Two things could happen, 1. You could be prosecuted for fraud. 2. You could be banned from future events.

It is not stupid not letting every Tom, Dick and Harry onto the field. The reason being why would anyone want to sit in the stands if they let just anyone wander down on the field. Imagine the confusion and chaos!!!

Now the thing to do would be to contact the local paper and see if they would like some images from the events. Ask if they can secure credentials for you. Inform them that you know being a small newspaper, I am assuming it is a small paper, they don't have a big budget but, ask what they pay. You might get $10-$25 per image out of them.

Also ask the coach if the team has a website, if they do then ask if they would like photos for it. Usually coaches jump at the chance to get images for the website. Make the restrictions work for you not against you.

[R Schade]

Good point IndyJeff!
As much as I would like to get in the infield I know what the limitations are, and that what I told another one of my friends when he thought of making himself a press pass. My photograhy is a hobby, I don't want the legal hassle that goes with being a Pro. Let alone the reputation that would follow if someone was to call you on not really having a valid pass. Besides, the news photograhers I have seen even at our meets are not alowed in the infield either. There is enough confusion with contestants, coaches, and referee moving from one venue to another.

[RbrtPtikLeoSeny]

I know, I would never do something like that, I'm just saying that for a moment I did think about it. It truely is unforunate though that they don't let anyone on the field. Thank you though IndyJeff that's a good idea. I'll start shooting sports events, calling up the local news papers and asking if they would like some pics for their articles. The two local papers in my area have some really crappy photographers with point and shoot cameras anyway. I'm sure I'd get some business! I have to get better at shooting first though

Anyway, my 70-200 f/4 JUST came in! UPS guy knocked on my door. This lens is AMAZING!!! I love it! Definately worth the money, and it looks so cool. The track meet that was supposed to go on today is posponed until tomorrow. So, tomorrow I'll have some shots to show yall.

[gmen]

Anyway, my 70-200 f/4 JUST came in! UPS guy knocked on my door. This lens is AMAZING!!! I love it! Definately worth the money, and it looks so cool. The track meet that was supposed to go on today is posponed until tomorrow. So, tomorrow I'll have some shots to show yall.
Enjoy that new lens!

Another reason that the infield is not easily accessible is a Health & Safety one. It's a potentially very dangerous place. Javelins, discuses (disci?) and hammers can fly off course - you will need to comply with the official's instructions as to how to acknowledge your presence there when throwing events are taking place. If you do get to work from the infield, be careful, keep your wits about you and obey by the rules.

[RbrtPtikLeoSeny]

Haha, good advice gmen, but this is elementary school track... the most they throw are their body's over the high jump bar. All they do is run, and jump. Not much danger involved when it comes to 4th-6th graders. :-)