NFL Photo Pass

[RickyH]

Without a doubt, rent a lens

[MJPhotos24]

Walking onto an NFL field for the first time can be intimidating hearing 80,000+ screaming voices, pay attention and watch the guys who are old pros to see where to go and what to do. Stay in the zones you're allowed, don't act like a newb, the other togs there are working and not interested in giving advice 99% of the time as there is VERY little down time during an NFL game running cards and shooting. Get there early or risk being extremely late (I mean 3-4 hours early!), find out where the media parking is, find out if you're on that list as usually you need a pass before you go.

As for scenes - you should be able to tell that soon as you walk in as photogs are supposed to have an eye for that kinda thing. Look for rowdy fans, the hyper guy on the sidelines during pre-game....and yes, rent a lens!!

[FIXXER04]

For the best possible experience a 300 2.8, and a 70-200 2.8 would be good rental candidates and a second body too. If you can rent one lens you can cover most with a 300 2.8. (My 2nd body with 70-200 never sees more than 150 shots per game, and my wide angle less, unless tailgating, stadium, crowds etc.

If your just using what you have, work from the endzone with your 28-135 and just catch what's coming your way. With NFL your free to move along with the play so sideline captures can be nice too if the action is close with your kit lens. Things to remember NO PHOTOS ALLOWED BEHIND TEAM BENCH. and most photographers, me included prefer to work from a kneeling position just be mindful of the other photographers who do this every week. There are plenty of people on the field, ref's, etc who will inevitably screw up some of the best action. It's not unusual to shoot 1500 + photos at a major game.

Aperture priority at whatever the widest your lens will go, hi speed drive mode, center point focus and adjust your iso to keep your shutter around 1/1000. (With a 2.8 lens on a bright day @ iso400 you will hit 1/3200 if the conditions are right don't fear fast shutter speed)

Most of all enjoy, I'm still in awe everytime I'm on the field and thats basically every Sunday.

[airfrogusmc]

A client hired me to shoot some half time stuff at the Bears/Browns on 11/1. I only had a field pass that was good for the time the client was down there and I gotta tell ya it was an amazing experience. We actually stayed down on the field until security kicked us out which was shortly after the kick off.

Good advice from fixxer04

[slimenta]

2.8 is great if you are confident in your abilities with the rental lenses. If not, I would consider shutter priority, 1/1250 to 1/1600 and an iso to achieve f 4-5.6. More forgiving for focus but greater DOF which you may not like. Always tradeoffs!

Originally Posted by FIXXER04

For the best possible experience a 300 2.8, and a 70-200 2.8 would be good rental candidates and a second body too. If you can rent one lens you can cover most with a 300 2.8. (My 2nd body with 70-200 never sees more than 150 shots per game, and my wide angle less, unless tailgating, stadium, crowds etc.

If your just using what you have, work from the endzone with your 28-135 and just catch what's coming your way. With NFL your free to move along with the play so sideline captures can be nice too if the action is close with your kit lens. Things to remember NO PHOTOS ALLOWED BEHIND TEAM BENCH. and most photographers, me included prefer to work from a kneeling position just be mindful of the other photographers who do this every week. There are plenty of people on the field, ref's, etc who will inevitably screw up some of the best action. It's not unusual to shoot 1500 + photos at a major game.

Aperture priority at whatever the widest your lens will go, hi speed drive mode, center point focus and adjust your iso to keep your shutter around 1/1000. (With a 2.8 lens on a bright day @ iso400 you will hit 1/3200 if the conditions are right don't fear fast shutter speed)

Most of all enjoy, I'm still in awe everytime I'm on the field and thats basically every Sunday.

[Palladium]

always stay behind the yellow line.

White line for TV crew & ball boys, chain gang, etc)

Yellow line for everyone else.

Can't shoot from directly behind the bench even though the yellow line is behind it.

Without looking at your gear. If you never shoot with a long tele before - a NFL game is not a good 1st time out. Shoot with the gear you know. When you near the bench - get in the habit of looking away from the action to get the sideline players/coach's full face shots.

eg. Offensive is near the goal line - look to get reaction shots from the bench area.

Different stadiums have different rules re: the end zones - ask the security or another photog about the end zones where you can be.

Don't block the 25 second play clock - if you do you'll hear it from the security guard who's only job it is to make sure no one stands in front of it.

During play action don't step forward improve your site angle - generally when you do your going to block the site line of the photog next to you.

Bring / Buy knee pads. Some stadiums require photogs kneel some don't. But generally FB photos look best from a low angle.

No flash - so make sure you know your camera and if your shooting in automatic modes make sure you know how to turn off you flash. The exception is at the end of the game - flash is OK for the "Field Rush".

Keep you head on a swivel - especially during warm-up, especially if you in the end zones. The kicker / punters have the footballs flying all over the place and if you not careful it's easy to get hit with the ball or get run into by the ball boys retrieving the balls.

[asysin2leads]

I agree with what's already been said, but I don't think I've seen the most important thing to remember....












.....HAVE FUN!

Don't forget to post your results here.

[hughshows]

Incredible advice, thank you all!

[FlyingPhotog]

Originally Posted by Palladium

always stay behind the yellow line.

<SNIP>

Do not try to compete with any TV Camera .. Hand-Held or Fixed...

That's a fight you can not win.

You didn't pay the NFL north of $1 Billion to be there. CBS/FOX/ESPN Did...

[Sibil]

I didn't know we have so many NFL shooters here. That's great.

[asysin2leads]

Originally Posted by Sibil

I didn't know we have so many NFL shooters here. That's great.

Apparently, my title doesn't account for anyone w/ the power to get me NFL credentials.

[FlyingPhotog]

Originally Posted by Sibil

I didn't know we have so many NFL shooters here. That's great.

Not an NFL shooter per se in my case but I did 14 years covering the NFL for FOX, CBS and NBC in a technical capacity.

I know a thing or three about how the league "thinks" and where still photographers rank Vs TV Crew.

[hooookup]

Unless you are on a tight deadline, it's best to leave space in the photo work room for the pro's who are on tight deadlines. By all means store your stuff in there but try not to hog a seat or power outlet. If you are on a tight deadline and need to get pictures out at half time or directly following the game, bring a power strip as power outlets are sometimes scarce in photo work rooms. Also, get to the stadium early and get a lay of the land. Before the game starts, head over to the NFL booth on the field and pick up your vest (dont forget to bring ID).

[DDCSD]

Hugh, how did it go?

[hughshows]

What a great experience. Even though the Steelers lost it was fantastic to just be able to be there, following the game, learning the ins and outs about field etiquette and enjoying the whole atmosphere. Granted it was my first time out and my gear is limited but any critique will be appreciated.


http://www.flickr.com/photos/hughsho...7622819232034/

Plus I might be able to go to the games for the rest of the season!