I want to Freelance...

MJPhotos24 wrote in post #10575443
Actually, though LR has a lot of the stuff you need, and definitely fits the OP's needs, it is still missing some fields that we require as an agency, and so does Getty and the others...will say that with an * though because not sure if there's a new version that has them, all I know is we get images with missing fields because the photographers are using LR instead of PM and it's really annoying.

What are the specific fields that need to be filled out?

LBaldwin wrote in post #10576273
Staszek, I live in South SJ and have been to SJ state lots of times. There are a few things you should do to help get started. One is join both NPPA and EP (check my sig). I shot the SJ Giants, SF Giants and many other teams for Baseball America eons ago. I shot over at the Sunken Diamond too.

The first thing you need to know is that newspapers are dumping entire photo departments, of experienced shooters onto the street. So sports PJ is a very limited field to get work in, and freelance is very very tough. To shoot sports properly you need your own gear and there really is no way around it. The 70-200 w/ the 1.4 a really a crappy combo for sports. You won't get very sharp shots and if it is not sharp the editor is going to reject them out of hand. Sportsshooter is a great resource, if you can get someone to sponser you. SJ State has several sports ( I am sure you know) you can cut your teeth on and for most part they will welcome new shooters because they are rarely covered.

So there are very hard to get paid gigs, very hard to get the gear without some serious debt, very hard to get an assistants gig to learn the ropes, very very hard to compete with experienced PJ's who have the gear and just lost their newspaper jobs. Just check the NPPA website to see how many photographers are already in this area.

I am an idiot too, I still want to be a photographer when I grow up!! lol

Dang, thanks for the advice.

jacuff wrote in post #10542461
Download a trial version of Photo Mechanic.

Give yourself a deadline. For example, say a football game starts at 7:30 PM and you have to have your images into an editor by 10:00 PM. The editor has requested that you provide 8-10 images with captions and cutlines.

How fast can you do this in LR3?
How fast can you do this in PM?

Photo Mechanic for the win.. =)

Touching the gear issue once again as the start of school gets closer. I have my 50 1.4 for wider angle indoor shots and plan on using it.

Which combination of primes would you add to use in conjunction with my 50:

-85 f/1.8
-100 f/2
-135 f/2
-200 f/2.8

A pair of these primes would run me ~$900-$1,200.

Or skip all of the primes and snag a 70-200 2.8 IS. We've already discussed that the non-IS is a better deal, but if I've going to have a lens in my bag, I want to be able to use it for non-sport shots also (could be a bad argument). I've seen the IS go for ~$1,500-$1,600 in great condition here. I'm just nervous that f/2.8 is not going to be wide enough for volleyball and basketball.

I will only have one body and switch lenses as needed. I'm not the person to change lenses every five seconds to get THE shot. Instead, I see myself shooting to fit that lens. (Is there anything as too tight? It can show concentration, frustration, pain, etc.) If the subject comes too close for the lens on the camera, then I can shoot tighter and get different detailed shots. Remember, this is for fun... for now.

I have the old 70-200 and I love it. I think you have too many lenses in the same FL range. The zoom will work great, I would keep the 85, and pick up the zoom. If you can afford the IS II then get it. The one stop range can be covered with ISO changes. The issue with using the faster lenses is going to be DOF and those are razor thin, not to mention the AF on those lenses is a smidge slower than the zoom which is designed for fast action shooting.

The biggest issue you will come up against is actually the bodies ability to focus fast enough in low light action shots. That is where the 1 series excells. I still use my MKIIn and they can be had for 800 or so. I really love that camera and I wish it had self cleaning ability it does have the ability to suck dust from everywhere.. lol.

I know the other post was kinda dark, but that is the state of the biz now. But you seem determined, so any assistance I can help with, just ask.

LBaldwin wrote in post #10630170
I have the old 70-200 and I love it. I think you have too many lenses in the same FL range. The zoom will work great, I would keep the 85, and pick up the zoom. If you can afford the IS II then get it. The one stop range can be covered with ISO changes. The issue with using the faster lenses is going to be DOF and those are razor thin, not to mention the AF on those lenses is a smidge slower than the zoom which is designed for fast action shooting.

Maybe that lists confused you, I don't have any of those lenses. My lenses are in my sig. I definitely can't swing the extra cash for a MK II.

LBaldwin wrote in post #10630170
The biggest issue you will come up against is actually the bodies ability to focus fast enough in low light action shots. That is where the 1 series excells. I still use my MKIIn and they can be had for 800 or so. I really love that camera and I wish it had self cleaning ability it does have the ability to suck dust from everywhere.. lol.

I guess I'll give it a shot and see how my body handles. If it causes problem, I may have to look for a 1DII

LBaldwin wrote in post #10630170
I know the other post was kinda dark, but that is the state of the biz now. But you seem determined, so any assistance I can help with, just ask.

Thanks for you help. Just keep in mind that this is for fun. I'm getting a degree in biological forensic science, not sports photography.

Just to update this thread: today was the first day of classes, I sat in the school newspapers meeting since it was between my classes. I met the staff and teachers and things are looking good.

Work is done for credit, but since my schedule is already full I can't get credit for my work. Instead, I'm going to be taking an individual study with Kim Komenich. Kim is a retired photojournalist from the SF Chronicle and Examiner. He's willing to work with me and get me in touch with some local sports shooters. He's also willing to let me use his 400 f/2.8! This semester I'll shoot for the experience and networking, next semester I'll get credit for my time and the credits will go towards my photography minor.

Staszek wrote in post #10790535
Kim Komenich. Kim is a retired photojournalist from the SF Chronicle and Examiner. He's willing to work with me and get me in touch with some local sports shooters.

I met Kim back in the 80's when I was studying at the Academy of Arts in S.F., he was staff at the Examiner back then. He is a great guy and a wealth of knowledge. Tap into what ever he is willing to teach you.

Shot my first volleyball game Friday evening. I definitely need to work on my timing and keeping the focus locked on my subject in AI Servo mode. Here's a thread with a couple of pictures to show. Please post some feedback if you can.

I don't know if the soft faces are due to the AF picking up the dark jerseys last second or because the girls would move out of my focus point right before I clicked the shutter. Also having a faster frame rate would be awesome. The ball is long gone before the second frame can go off at 3.4 fps.

I think I want to jump the gun and sell my T1i to fund a 7D for a better AF system and 8 fps. The higher ISO performance, better metering system, and integrated flash trigger are bonuses. I thought about a used 1D2 or 2n, but I'd prefer the un-gripped body for non-event shoots (vacation, out with the friends, etc.). Thoughts or comments?

Stumbled back on this thread in my subscriptions. Pretty crazy how far I've come with photography and how much I have learned in a very short amount of time. I also ended up selling my T1i and moving to the 7D at the end of September. I've been very happy with the improved build, IQ, and AF performance of the 7D.

Here is my latest assignment: