Ouch

I'm glad it was the linesman and not a player, I'm sure that would if hurt more

philwillmedia wrote in post #9995758
this is the perfect example of why inexperienced photographers SHOULD NOT be given access to the sidelines of sporting events, no matter what level of event it is.

Things happen if you like it or not. People with lot of experience will occasionally have problems like this. For example, things I was writing about in this thread happened to me after being in skiing World cup for 6 or 7 years myself (as skier and later on as serviceman, after another 15 years or so in lower level racing), and after another 5 or 6 years as being photographer. It still happened. Sure it happens easier if you don't have experiences, but on the other side, if you cover 40 or 50 races a year, chances something will go wrong are a lot bigger, then when you cover 1 or 2 races/matches. So based on this, noone of us should have access to course/sidelines.
And another thing... where should less experiences people learn? Noone of us was born with all the knowledge of this world, so we should learn somewhere. And I guess lower level events are perfect place to learn. But based on your statement, they don't belong not even there.

philwillmedia wrote in post #9995758
So, I'm guessing you didn't have credentials and weren't supposed to be where you were.
At the risk of upsetting somebody, especially all those who think they should have unrestricted access at sporting events, this is the perfect example of why inexperienced photographers SHOULD NOT be given access to the sidelines of sporting events, no matter what level of event it is.

So, by extension of your logic, no one should ever get near the sidelines of a sports venue. Why? Because they will be in experienced. How will they become experienced enough to shoot there if they are not allowed to at any level?

Let me ask - how did you get credentialled? By shooting lower level events perhaps and working up?

Accidents happen - experience just makes people more aware of possibilities for them.

The OP could have been standing yards behind the sidelines and still been hit by a player being tackled on the line and being forced out.

neilwood32 wrote in post #9999073
So, by extension of your logic, no one should ever get near the sidelines of a sports venue. Why? Because they will be in experienced. How will they become experienced enough to shoot there if they are not allowed to at any level?

Let me ask - how did you get credentialled? By shooting lower level events perhaps and working up?

Answer is here...https://photography-on-the.net …hp?p=7690055&po​stcount=10
and I still shoot lower level events when time permits.

neilwood32 wrote in post #9999073
Accidents happen - experience just makes people more aware of possibilities for them.

The OP could have been standing yards behind the sidelines and still been hit by a player being tackled on the line and being forced out.

Fair enough.
Forget about credentials, forget about the players' and other officials safety and just open up the sidelines to anybody with a camera who thinks they're good enough and should be there.

If you think I'm the only one of this opinion, have a read of this thread https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=855119

Just because you're skilled at capturing images, and a pro, doesn't necessarily mean you have common sense or that the gods favor your existence.
The hurt locker is open to all, and the pain is free.

Most pros don't have time for the high school Rugby, etc. circuit.

Fortunately many of the professional performers are kind to anyone that has the equipment and exhibits skill with it.
Because they know...without fans they have no job.

philwillmedia wrote in post #9999161
Answer is here...https://photography-on-the.net …hp?p=7690055&po​stcount=10
and I still shoot lower level events when time permits.

Fair enough.
Forget about credentials, forget about the players' and other officials safety and just open up the sidelines to anybody with a camera who thinks they're good enough and should be there.

If you think I'm the only one of this opinion, have a read of this thread https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=855119

Fair enough; you are not the only one who is certain of his own superiority....

To get this thread a bit back on topic...

I was once trying to cross a creek to get a shot of a waterfall, only to slip and fall right on top of my camera bag. I only managed to slightly damage my 50mm 1.8 (which was in the bag) - somehow halfway popped the back of the lens mount out of place. I didn't even realize that I had done this until about a week later when I was trying to figure out why the lens was suddenly not as sharp as it had been...