1st Time Shooting NBA Game

[John Photography]

hey guys! i was just granted credentials to shoot an NBA game at the Staples center, i'm stoked!

I just wanted to reach out to all your seasoned sport shooters that has actually shot in the Staples center.

i'm thinkin' of bring the 70-200 and 16-35. i'm not sure what spot i'll be given, but is there another lens i should consider bringing? maybe my 135? i know the 5dmk2 isn't ideal for sports, but it'll have to do.

i'm also thinkin' of bringing a light weight monopod.

thanks in advance.

[jfphts]

Grats on the credentials, the NBA games I did I found my 70-200 was the most used glass, but defantly keep something for closeup, Not sure how the lighting is in the Staples center, but I imagine it's decent, You shouldn't need a monopod, holding it should be fine providing your shooting fast enough, Also make sure you get there earlier enough I know for the Pistons it was first come first serve.

[bigjon0107]

Dont bring a monopod.

You will do fine if all your bring is the 70-200.

[BenJohnson]

Dont bring a monopod.

You will do fine if all your bring is the 70-200.
^I think the 70-200 would be all you need for the action shots.

[Rey.dos]

70-200...

you dont need the 16-35, not unless your gonna have it as a remote
on the backboard.

have fun and good luck.

get there early. and practice shooting while they're practicing.

[John Photography]

thank you guys!

media door opens at 5pm, for 730 game time. was planning on getting there early to get the lay of the land. i have a feeling that spots will be assigned by publication.

thanks again all!

[bigjon0107]

thank you guys!

media door opens at 5pm, for 730 game time. was planning on getting there early to get the lay of the land. i have a feeling that spots will be assigned by publication.

thanks again all!

Yep, probably so. Depending on the publication you are shooting for, chances are you may get stuck in the second row, so if you have a really small stool (like 1' or so) bring it so you would be able to sit on it and shoot over row 1. Ask before you use it though, there may be a venue rule that I dont know about, but all the ones around here are ok with it.

[willshoot4food]

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[greszym]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gga3PM8GqVw&feature=related

[bigjon0107]

I would suggest taking a 24-70, 70-200, and a 300 for down court action. I would also suggest getting a pad or something to sit on. Something like this back support seat (http://www.walmart.com/ip/Texas-Tech-Red-Raiders-Stadium-Seat/13310386)

I dont think he is interested in renting gear.

[willshoot4food]

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[bigjon0107]

At the very least I would take a 24-70 and a 70-200 this will be enough to cover half the court assuming you are sitting baseline. Without a 300 you'll be missing half the game.


A 24-70 is not going to be long enough when you only have one body, and it is full frame. It would require a bunch of cropping. but i guess you may as well bring it sine you have it and see what the OP prefers.

[Dmao]

Congrats on the credentials. I have always dreamed to do the same for NBA games one day. Watching the Lakers on TV, I've always hated the lighting in the Staples Center along with all my friends.

Anyways, have fun and good luck.

[liam5100]

My view has always been to be over prepared. When I've shot NBA I take the 70-200, 24-70, 16-35, 85 1.2 and the 200 f2.

However, your 70-200 2.8 is going to be your main lens, you'll be fine with that and get most of the action you want. The other stuff normally comes into play with bad lighting situations, which the Staples center is not. And then when you want to start being a little more creative.

Its been a few years and things might have changed but when I shot in the Staples center I was getting 1/640 2.8 at ISO 1600...not bad at all.. so really the faster glass wasnt needed. The one problem I did have and I suspect you will as well is movement. Normally there are quite a few people going to be photographing the event along side of you. So you wont be able to move around much or change gear.

I didnt notice if you have two bodies or not, but either way take the two lenses with you to floorside one on each body if you can, if not take the other in a belt pouch or something. Also take a towel, in case you get sweat on you, its gross but it happens if they fall or jump around you and you'll need something to quickly wipe the lens off. Also, I'd suggest kneepads, you might be able to kneel and those floors are killers, at least on the knees of old guys like me.

Most of all have fun and share the shots.

[John Photography]

I would suggest taking a 24-70, 70-200, and a 300 for down court action. I would also suggest getting a pad or something to sit on. Something like this back support seat (http://www.walmart.com/ip/Texas-Tech-Red-Raiders-Stadium-Seat/13310386)
great idea, i've got a bad back too!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gga3PM8GqVw&feature=related
this is awesome, i just may do this with my back up 5D. that's if i can get a spot closer to the basket.
At the very least I would take a 24-70 and a 70-200 this will be enough to cover half the court assuming you are sitting baseline. Without a 300 you'll be missing half the game.
i'm debating on renting the 300mm, but would the f/4 be sufficient or would getting the f/2.8 IS be the wiser choice?

Congrats on the credentials. I have always dreamed to do the same for NBA games one day. Watching the Lakers on TV, I've always hated the lighting in the Staples Center along with all my friends.

Anyways, have fun and good luck.
this too has been a dream of mine, although i wish i was shooting the Lakers...but it's the NBA nonetheless! i see this as a gateway into getting to shoot more games, including the Lakers. thanks.
My view has always been to be over prepared. When I've shot NBA I take the 70-200, 24-70, 16-35, 85 1.2 and the 200 f2.

However, your 70-200 2.8 is going to be your main lens, you'll be fine with that and get most of the action you want. The other stuff normally comes into play with bad lighting situations, which the Staples center is not. And then when you want to start being a little more creative.

Its been a few years and things might have changed but when I shot in the Staples center I was getting 1/640 2.8 at ISO 1600...not bad at all.. so really the faster glass wasnt needed. The one problem I did have and I suspect you will as well is movement. Normally there are quite a few people going to be photographing the event along side of you. So you wont be able to move around much or change gear.

I didnt notice if you have two bodies or not, but either way take the two lenses with you to floorside one on each body if you can, if not take the other in a belt pouch or something. Also take a towel, in case you get sweat on you, its gross but it happens if they fall or jump around you and you'll need something to quickly wipe the lens off. Also, I'd suggest kneepads, you might be able to kneel and those floors are killers, at least on the knees of old guys like me.

Most of all have fun and share the shots.
yes, i do have a 5D as back up and am considering using it either as a remote w/16-35 or on me with a 24-70. the knee pads sounds like a good idea, as well as the towel.

i'm hoping that the Clippers won't attract much media, so i hope to be able to shoot from the front row.

[willshoot4food]

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[willshoot4food]

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[John Photography]

If you rent a 300mm it has to be a 2.8 the light at Staples will kill you at f4 and you don't need the IS version.

If you have an extra body smack the 24-70mm on it which will cover you at the base line and use the 70-200mm on the 5d mark II which will cover you out to the 3 point line. Light is minimal so you should be shooting somewhere at 1/500th - 1/640th wide open. You might also want to take the 16-35mm for some wide angle court shots at halftime or pre-game.

Keep an eye out for Billy Crystal and Frankie Munez they are regulars at the Clippers games and are usually court side.

i will most likely bring the 5D and throw the 24-70 on it. i'd love to get some wide shot underneath the basket. love those shots.

[Paul S]

At the very least I would take a 24-70 and a 70-200 this will be enough to cover half the court assuming you are sitting baseline. Without a 300 you'll be missing half the game.

You are right on the money about this !

[SuzyView]

For me, I have the 5D2 and the 40D. The 5D2 will be fine, but you'll need that wide for those shots right in front of the basket. I was going to suggest the 24-70 and 70-200 2.8 IS combo and add in there the 85 1.8. That lens is amazing by the court.

[AdamLewis]

I would suggest taking a 24-70, 70-200, and a 300 for down court action. I would also suggest getting a pad or something to sit on. Something like this back support seat (http://www.walmart.com/ip/Texas-Tech-Red-Raiders-Stadium-Seat/13310386)

I dont think he is interested in renting gear.

At the very least I would take a 24-70 and a 70-200 this will be enough to cover half the court assuming you are sitting baseline. Without a 300 you'll be missing half the game.

:lol:

Maybe he should rent some bodies and triggers and flashes and card runners and magic arms and super clamps and gobos and card runners too!

:rolleyes:

Just take your 16-35 and your 70-200. Youll use the 70-200 95% of the time and you can shoot cross court with it just fine. I shot cross court with a 70-200 on a 5D classic so you can definitely do it with 21MP to crop from. Throw on the 16-35 if you feel the need.

[Rey.dos]

simply work with what you gears you have. 70-200 2.8 will be your LENS of the night.

[John Photography]

can someone shed some light, no pun intended....on the in house strobes they use in Staples and other arenas? i'm assuming those are only made available to larger publications.

but i am shooting the Harlem Globetrotters at the Honda Center and since it won't be covered by as many photogs, how would i go about using those strobes? would they be triggered by PW or something more complex?

[Aaagogo]

from what I know with my 1/2 season with a local NBA team, I have observed that the setup is 70-200 and a 300.

I've seen them shoot with 30D's still, heck, even XSI as remote cameras, so that would mean that there is more than enough light. of course YMMV. The house photographer has access to 2 pairs of light each, one house photographer on each side, the setting with house lights are in the area of 1/160, f4, iso 320, ball park, been a while... Photographer from other agencies use ambient, and if it can be published in SI on ambient, light should be decent.

the only people allowed on the courts are house photographers AFAIK, i've seen SI and getty there, but they've never approached the courts, even when it was the NBA finals.

that's most of the info off the top of my head.

[John Photography]

from what I know with my 1/2 season with a local NBA team, I have observed that the setup is 70-200 and a 300.

I've seen them shoot with 30D's still, heck, even XSI as remote cameras, so that would mean that there is more than enough light. of course YMMV. The house photographer has access to 2 pairs of light each, one house photographer on each side, the setting with house lights are in the area of 1/160, f4, iso 320, ball park, been a while... Photographer from other agencies use ambient, and if it can be published in SI on ambient, light should be decent.

the only people allowed on the courts are house photographers AFAIK, i've seen SI and getty there, but they've never approached the courts, even when it was the NBA finals.

that's most of the info off the top of my head.
i was assuming that i would be shooting on the baseline. is that not a safe assumption?

can someone that has shot the LA Clippers at the Staples confirm or deny? i am planning on bringing lens based on me shooting from the baseline, not up in the rafters.lol

**EDIT**
just exchanged email's with the VP of Clippers PR/Media and i am slotted for a spot on the baseline next to the Spurs bench. and i'll have access to the opposite baseline in the 2nd half.

[AZAlphaDog]

If you are a credentialed photographer why don't you just get to the venue early and go into the media center and ask "who, what, when, where" and "what not to do."

The media center is where you leave your laptop that you use to submit your images, or get info. on the players and free water etc.

Also if you get there early enough you can shoot the players in the locker room (and that is the most fun that can be had as a credentialed photographer).

Send emails, but remember to talk to the people you emailed in person so you can work out your credentials for future games.

Oh, yea remember to have fun.

[willshoot4food]

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[John Photography]

If you are a credentialed photographer why don't you just get to the venue early and go into the media center and ask "who, what, when, where" and "what not to do."

The media center is where you leave your laptop that you use to submit your images, or get info. on the players and free water etc.

Also if you get there early enough you can shoot the players in the locker room (and that is the most fun that can be had as a credentialed photographer).

Send emails, but remember to talk to the people you emailed in person so you can work out your credentials for future games.

Oh, yea remember to have fun.
i plan on doing that, but i wanted to be prepared BEFOREHAND. thanks for the suggestions.
Wow really.... the guy was asking for suggestions, no need to be such a dick about it.
lol..he did come off a bit bullish, but all good. thanks for having my back nonetheless!

[mikeassk]

Wow really.... the guy was asking for suggestions, no need to be such a dick about it.


HAHA, Will meet Adam.

And they lived happily ever after.

[AZAlphaDog]

HAHA, Will meet Adam.

And they lived happily ever after.

WillShoot4Food's name is not Will (so your joke = fail)

[AdamLewis]

can someone shed some light, no pun intended....on the in house strobes they use in Staples and other arenas? i'm assuming those are only made available to larger publications.

but i am shooting the Harlem Globetrotters at the Honda Center and since it won't be covered by as many photogs, how would i go about using those strobes? would they be triggered by PW or something more complex?

House strobes are normally only setup for the team's photographer(s). Other people can come in and setup strobes with permission but I cant imagine a big team just lending out their equipment for nothing (since strobes to break eventually...).

[Aaagogo]

AFAIK, the house strobes are not controlled by PW's. They are controlled by the very expensive FlashWizard System. The arena that I was at, there are 2 pairs of strobes on each side and it is set to "relay" or "exchange" mode, flash set 1 will pop on trigger press 1,3,5... and flash set 2 will pop on trigger count 2,4,6 etc.

btw, the fastest way to get kicked out at any pro event is to poach PW channels. DO NOT EVER DO THAT.

i doubt that the OP is planning on bringing in remotes, he didn't mention it in his post, but remotes, position and PW channels, needs to be cleared with the arena and then an assignment of PW channels are allocated.

as for what I had said, in the arena that I worked at, only house photographers are allowed to be on the court, the rest were assigned baseline shooting "boxes" a small box is taped off on the court and that's where u sit.

and the OP probably got an unique access, because again, AFAIK, you get 1 spot for the whole game, but OP can switch sides at half time, so that's pretty rare.

[John Photography]

House strobes are normally only setup for the team's photographer(s). Other people can come in and setup strobes with permission but I cant imagine a big team just lending out their equipment for nothing (since strobes to break eventually...).
i figured the house strobes would be a long shot, but i've always wondered how they worked.
AFAIK, the house strobes are not controlled by PW's. They are controlled by the very expensive FlashWizard System. The arena that I was at, there are 2 pairs of strobes on each side and it is set to "relay" or "exchange" mode, flash set 1 will pop on trigger press 1,3,5... and flash set 2 will pop on trigger count 2,4,6 etc.

btw, the fastest way to get kicked out at any pro event is to poach PW channels. DO NOT EVER DO THAT.

i doubt that the OP is planning on bringing in remotes, he didn't mention it in his post, but remotes, position and PW channels, needs to be cleared with the arena and then an assignment of PW channels are allocated.

as for what I had said, in the arena that I worked at, only house photographers are allowed to be on the court, the rest were assigned baseline shooting "boxes" a small box is taped off on the court and that's where u sit.

and the OP probably got an unique access, because again, AFAIK, you get 1 spot for the whole game, but OP can switch sides at half time, so that's pretty rare.
thanks for the house strobe insight! and no, i do not plan on bringing any PW's/triggers whatsoever.

i am assigned a box on the baseline next to the Spurs bench, but i was told i could easily go to the other baseline for the 2nd half.

i'm hoping i can shot inside the locker rooms pre-game.

[AdamLewis]

i'm hoping i can shot inside the locker rooms pre-game.

That all depends on the staff. You can try asking but I wouldnt get your hopes up.

[Paul S]

i figured the house strobes would be a long shot, but i've always wondered how they worked.

thanks for the house strobe insight! and no, i do not plan on bringing any PW's/triggers whatsoever.


Have been to one arena where they did use PW's Every thing was pre arranged so when I got there I was handed 2 PWs one for each body. What a trip to use the house strobes --- what a day !

[AdamLewis]

Have been to one arena where they did use PW's Every thing was pre arranged so when I got there I was handed 2 PWs one for each body. What a trip to use the house strobes --- what a day !

PW's are pretty much an industry standard. People like SI use Flash Wizard systems but theyre total overkill for most everything (especially if youre just using them to control separate banks of lights which is something the PW Multi-Max system does QUITE easily). Flash Wizard systems are primarily used to sync multiple bodies to one set of strobes.

[John Photography]

let me know what you guys think: http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?p=9570693#post9570693

shot ambient with either 70-200 or 24-70. all hand held from the baseline.

it was a great experience and plan on doing it again. my goal is to cover the Lakers!

[willshoot4food]

,,,