Shooting College Football

I've been given the opportunity to shoot a few games this season and was hoping for some input on how I might get around some obstacles.

Right now I'm shooting with a 5D3, 300mm F/4L IS and a 200mm F/4L. From what I understand both of these should get me decent shots, assuming it's day time, but night games could be an issue.

Currently I'm not sure what games I'm going to get, but assuming I do get a night game, I don't want to decline because of equipment and lose my chance for any other games.

The other issue is I can't afford to rent a 300 or 400mm F/2.8. I could do the 70-200mm however.

Am I going to be okay bumping up the ISO for the game? Will they come out too dark/blurry?

Any input on how to get the best photos possible at night with the 300 at least (as said I can afford to rent a 200mm F/2.8 IS).

Thanks

Couple of questions:

1) Have you shot football before? If not go shoot a few highschool games to get the hang of it.
2) What colleges? Depending on the stadium, you'll either have good results with a f4 lens or bad.
3) I assume you understand exposure. If not learn it before you go out. Yes, bumping the ISO is ok. You'll need to shooting at f4. Keep the shutter speed above 1/640 (minimum).

Its impossible for us to guess the amount of light at a night game. Of course, you will have less grainy photos if you are using 2.8 lenses and more in focus shots if you were using better sports cameras such as the 70D or 1D4. With the 300m lens on a full frame, it will be tough for you to get good clear shots at distances more than 30 yards. If your assignment is to capture every peak play and moment of the game for magazine publication, you will certainly want different gear. If your assignment is to capture a few good photographs for your portfolio, you can work with what you have. You should be able to bump your ISO to 3200 for decent photos to keep your shutter speed at 1/320th plus. You can practice your shooting and focusing technique on cars before the game.

Many high school night football game photographers use flash, but it all depends on the ambient light and rules.

Check out these tips:
https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=735799

http://www.sportsshoot​er.com …oting_football/​index.html

This is just for my portfolio and nothing more, so no need for the ESPN shots, granted that would be nice. It'll be at Fresno State, so I would think the lighting would be better than say a D3 school.

Definitely am trying to head over to one of the local high schools to practice. Any word on how you go about that? Who you contact?

With my 5D3 I shoot HS football around ISO 10,000 and use HSS mode on my 580EXii. As I read this, you are just practicing so I can't see renting anything unless you want to burn money. The lighting at a D1 college will be much better than a HS stadium unless it is a monster of a HS.
The HS stadiums around here are EV 5-6 and no light enters from the end zones, not got for action shots.

SierraHighPhoto wrote in post #17107929
I've been given the opportunity to shoot a few games this season and was hoping for some input on how I might get around some obstacles.

Right now I'm shooting with a 5D3, 300mm F/4L IS and a 200mm F/4L. From what I understand both of these should get me decent shots, assuming it's day time, but night games could be an issue.

Currently I'm not sure what games I'm going to get, but assuming I do get a night game, I don't want to decline because of equipment and lose my chance for any other games.

The other issue is I can't afford to rent a 300 or 400mm F/2.8. I could do the 70-200mm however.

Am I going to be okay bumping up the ISO for the game? Will they come out too dark/blurry?

Any input on how to get the best photos possible at night with the 300 at least (as said I can afford to rent a 200mm F/2.8 IS).

Thanks

The challenges of photographing American gridiron football are less about equipment setup than about getting the most compelling action in frame. You'll spend your first few games getting used to making sure you properly track the action and push the shutter button at the right time. No camera settings can help you learn how to follow the best action. Following the ball on a long pass play is something you can expect to get wrong at first.

If you're accustomed to slow, static, controlled work, football sidelines will come as a busy, frequently crowded shock. You'll need to quickly get used to situations where the game controls you, where you need to often move from place to place, where your access can be limited and where people get in your way and you can't do anything about it. One moment you can be in a good location to capture action heading toward you, and then the next moment the ball changes possession and you'll need to move halfway down the field - over and over.

You'll also face some very real physical risks. It's common for sideline football photographers to be knocked down, injured and have their equipment damaged. You'll need to rapidly develop a sense of self-preservation to minimize the chance of this happening.

DC Fan wrote in post #17130972
You'll also face some very real physical risks. It's common for sideline football photographers to be knocked down, injured and have their equipment damaged. You'll need to rapidly develop a sense of self-preservation to minimize the chance of this happening.

I have just started photographing first division men's rugby. I'm able to stand 5 yards back from the sideline to give me a margin of safety. I'd hate to get clobbered by someone running full tilt up the sideline. And a player would be really ticked if he had to run around me because I encroached on the field.

Get some good PL insurance, you'll probably need it to shoot pitchside anyway. Your own safety is paramount. Watch the game, not just through the lens. Be aware of what's coming your way and move. Best shots are from low down, kneeling maybe. That makes moving swiftly harder. Practice.