Coaching and Photography

rholly wrote in post #12269216
Looking for ideas on getting pictures of my son while coaching. I'm the photography guy in the house and I can't take pictures during the games. I've tried using my wife and another Mom but the pictures stink even with progressive suggestions every week. I bought my gear to capture moments like this and it's frustrating. Has anyone found a solution to this issue?

BTW, this is proof it's not just pressing the button.

Thanks in advance,
Russell

i seriously laughed when i read this. my wife offered to come out and take pictures of my hockey team (it's a little hard for me to do it being that i'm in goal). i got my camera totally setup to get sweet shots. i showed her exactly where to stand to get different kinds of pictures and what does she do.... she goes and sits in the stands with my buddy's wife and talks most of the game. she took maybe 50 pictures of the game (from where she was sitting)... none were keepers, and then she takes about 150 pictures of the handshakes at the end of the game... i just don't get it?!?!?!


and to give suggestions to your particular issue....
- find someone who knows a thing or two about photography (and the sport) and let them use your gear
- like others have mentioned - do one or the other. i find that when i'm taking pictures (even if it's just for some friends at a local arena or field) that i need to pretty much focus on that exclusively. i prefer to do one thing well rather than two things so-so

ajaffe wrote in post #12285712
You don't shoot while you are coaching. Just like how you should never coach while you are shooting.

I can not stand when someone is shooting next to me coaching their son or cheering on their team, a little pet peeve of mine.

I had to stop coaching, just to get some good shots of my kids playing sports. Tried other options just like you are doing, and none of them worked.

I actually do barter...I have a buddy who is also a serious shooter handle my kids game in exchange for me shooting his kid. This works well since inevitably, I'll have parents asking for free stuff from me if my kid is on the team (which makes no sense on any level) but when you are shooting someone else's kid, you can sometimes grab a few sales since parent's are less inclined to be..I mean to ask. FYI, its amazing to see the confused look on a parent's face when you say you don't give away photos.

chris270 wrote in post #12287889
I can not stand when someone is shooting next to me coaching their son or cheering on their team, a little pet peeve of mine.

Yea. I always clam up when I am shooting regardless of my relationship with the players. They know I am there, I don't need to remind them.

Magic 24 wrote in post #12269386
Have you thought about setting up a remote?

Would this work for lacrosse if he's not the goalie?

You're still cheating the kids if you are not investing your full attention to them during the game as a coach. You are then cheating the kids if you are not investing your full attention to them during the game as a photographer.

Best solution? Buy a 600mm lens, have your assistant cover for you since you "cannot make it that day" and shoot from the parking lot.