Event Photography: From the Camera to Server

Over this past weekend my company shot the largest event it has ever covered to date. I think it was a huge success for us but I'm always wanting to streamline the inefficiencies I find. This brings up the questions of, "how are you getting photos from the shooters to server?"

This past weekend event I only had 1 shooter covering the ice at a time so it was pretty simple using a card runner. It would have been extremely nice being able to wirelessly transfer the images from the camera to our server to eliminate the need for a runner.

We're hoping to get hired for an event that will be covering 3 rinks at a time for an event next year which will require (3) shooters and possibly multiple runners. On top of that, w may need two dedicated people to offload the images to the server.


I'm really curious for you event photographers on how you are getting the images from your cameras to server efficiently.

Hybrid AWD wrote in post #17156196
Over this past weekend my company shot the largest event it has ever covered to date. I think it was a huge success for us but I'm always wanting to streamline the inefficiencies I find. This brings up the questions of, "how are you getting photos from the shooters to server?"

This past weekend event I only had 1 shooter covering the ice at a time so it was pretty simple using a card runner. It would have been extremely nice being able to wirelessly transfer the images from the camera to our server to eliminate the need for a runner.

We're hoping to get hired for an event that will be covering 3 rinks at a time for an event next year which will require (3) shooters and possibly multiple runners. On top of that, w may need two dedicated people to offload the images to the server.


I'm really curious for you event photographers on how you are getting the images from your cameras to server efficiently.

The ultimate setup is used by organizations such as Sports Illustrated, which links cameras at some major events to a LAN, then reads images directly from the cameras to editors' networked computers.

Yeah I had a LAN set up but it was only to use the tablets at viewing stations but not to get the images directly from the camera. I was thinking about this the entire time I was covering the event but couldn't wrap my head around the concept other than shooting tethered.

I know Canon had the wireless transmitter for the 1D MKIV but it's also no longer available.

Too bad I don't have SI's bankroll to make my life a little easier

Eyefi?

jecottrell wrote in post #17156317
Eyefi?

Sadly the Eyefi cards don't have the best reviews.

Hybrid AWD wrote in post #17156338
Sadly the Eyefi cards don't have the best reviews.

I wouldn't fully dismiss it based on past reviews. I think it used to be much worse, and they have since improved. I have one that works for my needs. I don't use it for large events like you though.

If you shoot jpg, I think it works great. Reviews may complain about slow RAW file transfers, but that is to be expected with the tech at this point.

juicedownload wrote in post #17158673
I wouldn't fully dismiss it based on past reviews. I think it used to be much worse, and they have since improved. I have one that works for my needs. I don't use it for large events like you though.

If you shoot jpg, I think it works great. Reviews may complain about slow RAW file transfers, but that is to be expected with the tech at this point.

Maybe I'll buy one just to see how it works. My biggest concern is transfer speed, range, and keeping track of who is sending the files (think of a competition, multiple people etc).

Hybrid AWD wrote in post #17158728
Maybe I'll buy one just to see how it works. My biggest concern is transfer speed, range, and keeping track of who is sending the files (think of a competition, multiple people etc).

Yes I see the issues there. I don't know how multiple cards would work connecting to a network. Speed depends on filesize, ie size of jpg. If you're shooting raw, then I would reconsider using eyefi because it is slow to transfer ~25MB for each file. The file naming convention could probably be handled from within the camera settings.

juicedownload wrote in post #17158749
Yes I see the issues there. I don't know how multiple cards would work connecting to a network. Speed depends on filesize, ie size of jpg. If you're shooting raw, then I would reconsider using eyefi because it is slow to transfer ~25MB for each file. The file naming convention could probably be handled from within the camera settings.

We never shoot large events with RAW, that'd be insane lol. This past event was 3 days, 33hrs and we shot 117 GB worth of photos. That is in medium format on the 1D MKIV.

I do similar event but with 6 different shooters at one time. I thought about having a wireless system but it will be way to complicated. But when technology advances to a point where every camera body has WiFi built-in, I think configuring two routers, one as a bridge to relay back to main router would work. For example, have one on the shooting floor and one at the Server.

EmaginePixel wrote in post #17161982
I do similar event but with 6 different shooters at one time. I thought about having a wireless system but it will be way to complicated. But when technology advances to a point where every camera body has WiFi built-in, I think configuring two routers, one as a bridge to relay back to main router would work. For example, have one on the shooting floor and one at the Server.

I've always thought about reaching out to some of you other bigger companies in the country to come check out/work/help to see your processes. Obviously I can read all day on google but I think we can all agree that until you actually work and or see it in person it doesn't always make sense.

I know we can all learn from each other, that's for sure.

Hybrid AWD wrote in post #17162049
I know we can all learn from each other, that's for sure.

Absolutely!! We should chat and compare notes. Annual tournament events like these are big undertaking. It's a major risk to rely on cutting edge technology. A failure in any part of such time critical workflow will really jeopardize sales and customer experience.

EmaginePixel wrote in post #17162189
Absolutely!! We should chat and compare notes. Annual tournament events like these are big undertaking. It's a major risk to rely on cutting edge technology. A failure in any part of such time critical workflow will really jeopardize sales and customer experience.

Oh you mean like my tablet viewing stations loosing connection to the LAN.... yeah I know what you mean. Luckily I'm one of those people who prepare with redundancy lol

Tablets??? wow... you're way on the edge... LOL. Great!

Wireless is a no. Too many variables. Cat5e/Cat6 is proven and reliable. Get yourself a laptop with USB3 ports and GigE. Run Cat6 to your server. Plug in Lexar USB3 readers into laptop. Have laptop share drives with server.

Although honestly, it's not bad having a card runner. Sneakernet is quite fast. I've done Sneakernet with 6+ photographers before, kept my kids busy for the weekend.

John