Sports photographt advice sought

[(used to be) Fat Sam]

Hi,
I've been thinking all summer that I'd like to spend this season creating a
photographic archive of my local rugby team, Swaffham.
Their ground is owned by the club, but it's not the stadium type. Just the
sort where spectators stand around the edge of the pitch.

Is there anything I should be aware of before turning up at the first match
next month with my camera in my hand?
Obviously, I've written to the team and asked their permission to do
pitchside photography, with the promise that I'll share all the photos I
take with the club for their own use. They said they thought this was an
nteresting proposition, and would raise it at the next meeting.

So, I was wondering if anyone has any suggestions or advice regarding
pitchside photography.
Any situations, circumstances, protocols or preparations I should be aware
of beforehand?

Thanks for any and all advice.

[Colin.D]

Post by (used to be) Fat Sam
Hi,
I've been thinking all summer that I'd like to spend this season creating a
photographic archive of my local rugby team, Swaffham.
Their ground is owned by the club, but it's not the stadium type. Just the
sort where spectators stand around the edge of the pitch.
Is there anything I should be aware of before turning up at the first match
next month with my camera in my hand?
Obviously, I've written to the team and asked their permission to do
pitchside photography, with the promise that I'll share all the photos I
take with the club for their own use. They said they thought this was an
nteresting proposition, and would raise it at the next meeting.
So, I was wondering if anyone has any suggestions or advice regarding
pitchside photography.
Any situations, circumstances, protocols or preparations I should be aware
of beforehand?
Thanks for any and all advice.

I haven't done a lot of sport shooting, but a few things come to mind;
don't transgress onto the pitch, watch out for running linesmen, and
more action seems to happen near the try lines rather than mid-field.
Try to get frontal or front/side shots; shots of the backs of players
rarely work. Be prepared to let some action go, don't tear all over the
touch lines trying to follow everything. I found the best position was
on one or other touch line beyond the try line, ready to catch a player
going for a try with defenders trying to stop him. I used to shoot with
a 120 press camera with a wire frame finder, where one could see all the
action outside the frame. The major problem I have with dlsrs - and
slrs - is that one is blind to any action out of shot, unless one
practices shooting with both eyes open, but varying zoom settings result
in varying viewfinder image sizes and the both eyes open technique
doesn't work very well.

Have a go, and good luck. You might also find the local papers could be
interested as well.

Colin D.

[(used to be) Fat Sam]

Post by Colin.D

Post by (used to be) Fat Sam
Hi,
I've been thinking all summer that I'd like to spend this season
creating a photographic archive of my local rugby team, Swaffham.
Their ground is owned by the club, but it's not the stadium type.
Just the sort where spectators stand around the edge of the pitch.
Is there anything I should be aware of before turning up at the
first match next month with my camera in my hand?
Obviously, I've written to the team and asked their permission to do
pitchside photography, with the promise that I'll share all the
photos I take with the club for their own use. They said they
thought this was an nteresting proposition, and would raise it at
the next meeting. So, I was wondering if anyone has any suggestions or
advice regarding
pitchside photography.
Any situations, circumstances, protocols or preparations I should be
aware of beforehand?
Thanks for any and all advice.

I haven't done a lot of sport shooting, but a few things come to mind;
don't transgress onto the pitch, watch out for running linesmen, and
more action seems to happen near the try lines rather than mid-field.
Try to get frontal or front/side shots; shots of the backs of players
rarely work. Be prepared to let some action go, don't tear all over
the touch lines trying to follow everything. I found the best
position was on one or other touch line beyond the try line, ready to
catch a player going for a try with defenders trying to stop him. I
used to shoot with a 120 press camera with a wire frame finder, where
one could see all the action outside the frame. The major problem I
have with dlsrs - and slrs - is that one is blind to any action out
of shot, unless one practices shooting with both eyes open, but
varying zoom settings result in varying viewfinder image sizes and
the both eyes open technique doesn't work very well.
Have a go, and good luck. You might also find the local papers could
be interested as well.
Colin D.

Thanks Colin. Top tips mate.
If the papers pick up on them, it would be a right Billy bonus, but I don't
think my work is good enough if I'm completely honest.
I've only ever had one photo published in the paper, and that was a planned
posed shot where I had plenty of time tomake sure everyting was right and in
place.

[Joel]

Post by (used to be) Fat Sam
Hi,
I've been thinking all summer that I'd like to spend this season creating a
photographic archive of my local rugby team, Swaffham.
Their ground is owned by the club, but it's not the stadium type. Just the
sort where spectators stand around the edge of the pitch.
Is there anything I should be aware of before turning up at the first match
next month with my camera in my hand?
Obviously, I've written to the team and asked their permission to do
pitchside photography, with the promise that I'll share all the photos I
take with the club for their own use. They said they thought this was an
nteresting proposition, and would raise it at the next meeting.
So, I was wondering if anyone has any suggestions or advice regarding
pitchside photography.
Any situations, circumstances, protocols or preparations I should be aware
of beforehand?
Thanks for any and all advice.

Besides martial arts tournaments I have never done any other sport (except
for fun or practicing new camera and lens etc.) to have much experience to
share. But I believe the requirements are pretty much general

- Good DSLR camera with option to capture fast action (some can capture more
frame than other).

- FAST lens is one of the very important parts. Depending on the distance
or your liking, 70-200mm f2.8 or 100-400mm is pretty common zoom. Unless
you have lot of $$$ to spend then either 300-800mm or 800mm would be
nice, but I don't think you really need this type of monster (yet).

- Good Post Processing skill could be the must. Or at least to me I won't
be happy without some post processing.

Everything else is up to you... like the deal, or photography skill like
good angle, time, camera setting etc..

[Peter]

Post by (used to be) Fat Sam
Hi,
I've been thinking all summer that I'd like to spend this season creating
a photographic archive of my local rugby team, Swaffham.
Their ground is owned by the club, but it's not the stadium type. Just the
sort where spectators stand around the edge of the pitch.
Is there anything I should be aware of before turning up at the first
match next month with my camera in my hand?
Obviously, I've written to the team and asked their permission to do
pitchside photography, with the promise that I'll share all the photos I
take with the club for their own use. They said they thought this was an
nteresting proposition, and would raise it at the next meeting.
So, I was wondering if anyone has any suggestions or advice regarding
pitchside photography.
Any situations, circumstances, protocols or preparations I should be aware
of beforehand?

Unless you have some pretty high end equipment, an intimate knowledge of the
sport, a little bit of luck and a lot of memory cards, don't try for that
decisive action shot. Concentrate instead on the reactions of the players
after something happened, good or bad.
Watch the guys on the bench. Even look at the fan reaction.
Try to isolate on the reason you are taking the shot in the first place,

Shoot for yourself, not for a "maybe it will sell."
Have fun.

[(used to be) Fat Sam]

Post by Peter

Post by (used to be) Fat Sam
Hi,
I've been thinking all summer that I'd like to spend this season
creating a photographic archive of my local rugby team, Swaffham.
Their ground is owned by the club, but it's not the stadium type.
Just the sort where spectators stand around the edge of the pitch.
Is there anything I should be aware of before turning up at the first
match next month with my camera in my hand?
Obviously, I've written to the team and asked their permission to do
pitchside photography, with the promise that I'll share all the
photos I take with the club for their own use. They said they
thought this was an nteresting proposition, and would raise it at
the next meeting. So, I was wondering if anyone has any suggestions or
advice regarding
pitchside photography.
Any situations, circumstances, protocols or preparations I should be
aware of beforehand?

Unless you have some pretty high end equipment, an intimate knowledge
of the sport, a little bit of luck and a lot of memory cards, don't
try for that decisive action shot. Concentrate instead on the
reactions of the players after something happened, good or bad.
Watch the guys on the bench. Even look at the fan reaction.
Try to isolate on the reason you are taking the shot in the first place,

Aaaah...Thinking laterally, I like it.
There's more to the game than the action on the pitch.
Could come away with some nicely unique shots that way.

Post by Peter
Shoot for yourself, not for a "maybe it will sell."
Have fun.

Thanks, I will.
I know pretty much for certain that my work will not be of saleable quality,
but everyone has to start somewhere, and I'm really wanting to do this as a
way to expand my repertoire and learn new skills rather than earn a living
from it.
If I come away with a reasonable portfolio of action shots, I'll be happy.
If the club happen to publish one of the photos on their website, then I'll
probably wet myself, LOL.

[Joel]

"\(used to be\) Fat Sam" <***@knox.orangehome.co.uk> wrote:

<snip>

Post by (used to be) Fat Sam

Post by Peter
Unless you have some pretty high end equipment, an intimate knowledge
of the sport, a little bit of luck and a lot of memory cards, don't
try for that decisive action shot. Concentrate instead on the
reactions of the players after something happened, good or bad.
Watch the guys on the bench. Even look at the fan reaction.
Try to isolate on the reason you are taking the shot in the first place,

Aaaah...Thinking laterally, I like it.
There's more to the game than the action on the pitch.
Could come away with some nicely unique shots that way.

Post by Peter
Shoot for yourself, not for a "maybe it will sell."
Have fun.

Thanks, I will.
I know pretty much for certain that my work will not be of saleable quality,
but everyone has to start somewhere, and I'm really wanting to do this as a
way to expand my repertoire and learn new skills rather than earn a living
from it.
If I come away with a reasonable portfolio of action shots, I'll be happy.
If the club happen to publish one of the photos on their website, then I'll
probably wet myself, LOL.

Even just to learn to improve your skill, a good camera with fast lens are
still the very important parts of the requirements.

I know that you may think because you won't make any money so you don't
need good equipment, but that isn't my point. My point is

- Without fast camera and fast lens you will depend more on luck than
improving your skill. Yes, I have read (and believe you do too) so many
fantasies saying good camera equipment won't make good photographer, but
it's only 1/2 of the whole fairy tale.

- Without being able to meet the minimum requirement to capture some good
captures it won't be easy to learn from one failure after other. Or you
won't be able to know what, when, where, why you hit or miss.

And if you spent $$$ on poor equipment then you now know why I often say
don't spend $$$ on the cheapie lens because it will add more $$$$ to the
good investment to make the better lens become more expensive.

[tony cooper]

On Thu, 7 Aug 2008 12:15:39 +0100, "\(used to be\) Fat Sam"

Post by Peter
Unless you have some pretty high end equipment, an intimate knowledge
of the sport, a little bit of luck and a lot of memory cards, don't
try for that decisive action shot. Concentrate instead on the
reactions of the players after something happened, good or bad.
Watch the guys on the bench. Even look at the fan reaction.
Try to isolate on the reason you are taking the shot in the first place,

My son played rugby in college (University of Alabama) and here in
Orlando. My best shot of him is:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tony213/2691125028/

He's standing with a fan from the Sheppey (UK) club that was touring.

[Brian]

On Thu, 07 Aug 2008 08:29:50 -0400, tony cooper

Post by tony cooper
On Thu, 7 Aug 2008 12:15:39 +0100, "\(used to be\) Fat Sam"

Post by Peter
Unless you have some pretty high end equipment, an intimate knowledge
of the sport, a little bit of luck and a lot of memory cards, don't
try for that decisive action shot. Concentrate instead on the
reactions of the players after something happened, good or bad.
Watch the guys on the bench. Even look at the fan reaction.
Try to isolate on the reason you are taking the shot in the first place,

My son played rugby in college (University of Alabama) and here in
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tony213/2691125028/
He's standing with a fan from the Sheppey (UK) club that was touring.

Given the likely light levels most of the season I'd suggest upping
the ISO as far as your camera will allow to gain some shutter speed.
I've recently read that it's also worth accepting one or two stops
under exposure to get the shutter speed and correcting the exposure in
in post processing (Bryan Peterson - Understanding Shutter Speed), but
haven't tried it yet.

Brian

[tony cooper]

On Thu, 07 Aug 2008 21:51:02 +0100, Brian

Post by Brian
On Thu, 07 Aug 2008 08:29:50 -0400, tony cooper

Post by tony cooper
On Thu, 7 Aug 2008 12:15:39 +0100, "\(used to be\) Fat Sam"

Post by Peter
Unless you have some pretty high end equipment, an intimate knowledge
of the sport, a little bit of luck and a lot of memory cards, don't
try for that decisive action shot. Concentrate instead on the
reactions of the players after something happened, good or bad.
Watch the guys on the bench. Even look at the fan reaction.
Try to isolate on the reason you are taking the shot in the first place,

My son played rugby in college (University of Alabama) and here in
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tony213/2691125028/
He's standing with a fan from the Sheppey (UK) club that was touring.

Given the likely light levels most of the season I'd suggest upping
the ISO as far as your camera will allow to gain some shutter speed.
I've recently read that it's also worth accepting one or two stops
under exposure to get the shutter speed and correcting the exposure in
in post processing (Bryan Peterson - Understanding Shutter Speed), but
haven't tried it yet.

That image was posted for the subject matter in relation to the
thread. It was taken 15 years ago or so, and I don't remember if I
was using my 35mm slr or an instamatic-type camera. It's a scan of a
print. I could juice it up in LightRoom, but I just put it up because
of the rugby comments and I like the poses and the people.

I happen to be scanning in a bunch of old prints and remembered I had
this shot.

[(used to be) Fat Sam]

Post by tony cooper
On Thu, 07 Aug 2008 21:51:02 +0100, Brian

Post by Brian
On Thu, 07 Aug 2008 08:29:50 -0400, tony cooper

Post by tony cooper
On Thu, 7 Aug 2008 12:15:39 +0100, "\(used to be\) Fat Sam"

Post by Peter
Unless you have some pretty high end equipment, an intimate
knowledge of the sport, a little bit of luck and a lot of memory
cards, don't try for that decisive action shot. Concentrate
instead on the reactions of the players after something happened,
good or bad. Watch the guys on the bench. Even look at the fan
reaction.
Try to isolate on the reason you are taking the shot in the first place,

My son played rugby in college (University of Alabama) and here in
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tony213/2691125028/
He's standing with a fan from the Sheppey (UK) club that was
touring.

Given the likely light levels most of the season I'd suggest upping
the ISO as far as your camera will allow to gain some shutter speed.
I've recently read that it's also worth accepting one or two stops
under exposure to get the shutter speed and correcting the exposure
in in post processing (Bryan Peterson - Understanding Shutter
Speed), but haven't tried it yet.

That image was posted for the subject matter in relation to the
thread. It was taken 15 years ago or so, and I don't remember if I
was using my 35mm slr or an instamatic-type camera. It's a scan of a
print. I could juice it up in LightRoom, but I just put it up because
of the rugby comments and I like the poses and the people.
I happen to be scanning in a bunch of old prints and remembered I had
this shot.

I don't think Brian was criticising your photo Tony.
I thought he was offering tips on how to get the fastest possible shutter
speed for my forray into sports photography.
I could be wrong however.

[tony cooper]

On Fri, 8 Aug 2008 00:30:17 +0100, "\(used to be\) Fat Sam"

Post by (used to be) Fat Sam

Post by tony cooper
On Thu, 07 Aug 2008 21:51:02 +0100, Brian

Post by Brian
On Thu, 07 Aug 2008 08:29:50 -0400, tony cooper

Post by tony cooper
On Thu, 7 Aug 2008 12:15:39 +0100, "\(used to be\) Fat Sam"

Post by Peter
Unless you have some pretty high end equipment, an intimate
knowledge of the sport, a little bit of luck and a lot of memory
cards, don't try for that decisive action shot. Concentrate
instead on the reactions of the players after something happened,
good or bad. Watch the guys on the bench. Even look at the fan
reaction.
Try to isolate on the reason you are taking the shot in the first place,

My son played rugby in college (University of Alabama) and here in
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tony213/2691125028/
He's standing with a fan from the Sheppey (UK) club that was touring.

Given the likely light levels most of the season I'd suggest upping
the ISO as far as your camera will allow to gain some shutter speed.
I've recently read that it's also worth accepting one or two stops
under exposure to get the shutter speed and correcting the exposure
in in post processing (Bryan Peterson - Understanding Shutter
Speed), but haven't tried it yet.

That image was posted for the subject matter in relation to the
thread. It was taken 15 years ago or so, and I don't remember if I
was using my 35mm slr or an instamatic-type camera. It's a scan of a
print. I could juice it up in LightRoom, but I just put it up because
of the rugby comments and I like the poses and the people.
I happen to be scanning in a bunch of old prints and remembered I had
this shot.

I don't think Brian was criticising your photo Tony.
I thought he was offering tips on how to get the fastest possible shutter
speed for my forray into sports photography.
I could be wrong however.

It was a bit too dark. I popped it a little in LightRoom:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tony213/2743125006/ so my son doesn't
look like he has Mediterranean instead of Irish heritage and the
Sheppey fan is closer to that English paleness.

The noise looks worse, though. Scanning old prints results in a lot
of noise and I didn't try to photoshop any out.

In the days this picture was taken, we were often stuck with the ISO
of the film that was in the camera if we were finishing up a roll.
With digitals, and the ability to change the ISO from shot to shot, we
forget this. Actually, I think this picture was taken when the term
was ASA, not ISO.

[(used to be) Fat Sam]

Post by tony cooper
On Fri, 8 Aug 2008 00:30:17 +0100, "\(used to be\) Fat Sam"

Post by (used to be) Fat Sam

Post by tony cooper
On Thu, 07 Aug 2008 21:51:02 +0100, Brian

Post by Brian
On Thu, 07 Aug 2008 08:29:50 -0400, tony cooper

Post by tony cooper
On Thu, 7 Aug 2008 12:15:39 +0100, "\(used to be\) Fat Sam"

Post by Peter
Unless you have some pretty high end equipment, an intimate
knowledge of the sport, a little bit of luck and a lot of memory
cards, don't try for that decisive action shot. Concentrate
instead on the reactions of the players after something
happened, good or bad. Watch the guys on the bench. Even look
at the fan reaction.
Try to isolate on the reason you are taking the shot in the first place,

My son played rugby in college (University of Alabama) and here in
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tony213/2691125028/
He's standing with a fan from the Sheppey (UK) club that was touring.

Given the likely light levels most of the season I'd suggest upping
the ISO as far as your camera will allow to gain some shutter
speed. I've recently read that it's also worth accepting one or
two stops under exposure to get the shutter speed and correcting
the exposure in in post processing (Bryan Peterson - Understanding
Shutter Speed), but haven't tried it yet.

That image was posted for the subject matter in relation to the
thread. It was taken 15 years ago or so, and I don't remember if I
was using my 35mm slr or an instamatic-type camera. It's a scan of
a print. I could juice it up in LightRoom, but I just put it up
because of the rugby comments and I like the poses and the people.
I happen to be scanning in a bunch of old prints and remembered I
had this shot.

I don't think Brian was criticising your photo Tony.
I thought he was offering tips on how to get the fastest possible
shutter speed for my forray into sports photography.
I could be wrong however.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/tony213/2743125006/ so my son doesn't
look like he has Mediterranean instead of Irish heritage and the
Sheppey fan is closer to that English paleness.

Hahahaha...
We do have tans, honest...It's just that the rain washes it off.

[Brian]

On Fri, 8 Aug 2008 00:30:17 +0100, "\(used to be\) Fat Sam"

Post by (used to be) Fat Sam
I don't think Brian was criticising your photo Tony.
I thought he was offering tips on how to get the fastest possible shutter
speed for my forray into sports photography.
I could be wrong however.

Spot on Sam. It was just how the thread dropped down. I've still not
looked at the photo in question.


Brian

[Peter]

Post by (used to be) Fat Sam
I don't think Brian was criticising your photo Tony.
I thought he was offering tips on how to get the fastest possible shutter
speed for my forray into sports photography.
I could be wrong however.

A fast shutter speed is not always appropriate. If you want to show action
in your image a slower shutter seed will often do the trick.

[Vance]

On Aug 7, 4:15 am, "\(used to be\) Fat Sam"

Post by (used to be) Fat Sam

Post by Peter

Post by (used to be) Fat Sam
Hi,
I've been thinking all summer that I'd like to spend this season
creating a photographic archive of my local rugby team, Swaffham.
Their ground is owned by the club, but it's not the stadium type.
Just the sort where spectators stand around the edge of the pitch.
Is there anything I should be aware of before turning up at the first
match next month with my camera in my hand?
Obviously, I've written to the team and asked their permission to do
pitchside photography, with the promise that I'll share all the
photos I take with the club for their own use. They said they
thought this was an nteresting proposition, and would raise it at
the next meeting. So, I was wondering if anyone has any suggestions or
advice regarding
pitchside photography.
Any situations, circumstances, protocols or preparations I should be
aware of beforehand?

Unless you have some pretty high end equipment, an intimate knowledge
of the sport, a little bit of luck and a lot of memory cards, don't
try for that decisive action shot. Concentrate instead on the
reactions of the players after something happened, good or bad.
Watch the guys on the bench. Even look at the fan reaction.
Try to isolate on the reason you are taking the shot in the first place,

Aaaah...Thinking laterally, I like it.
There's more to the game than the action on the pitch.
Could come away with some nicely unique shots that way.

Post by Peter
Shoot for yourself, not for a "maybe it will sell."
Have fun.

Thanks, I will.
I know pretty much for certain that my work will not be of saleable quality,
but everyone has to start somewhere, and I'm really wanting to do this as a
way to expand my repertoire and learn new skills rather than earn a living
from it.
If I come away with a reasonable portfolio of action shots, I'll be happy.
If the club happen to publish one of the photos on their website, then I'll
probably wet myself, LOL.- Hide quoted text -
- Show quoted text -

I pretty much started as a paid photographer when I was in high school
by shooting high school sports for the local newspaper. I found I
could make a nice piece of change (for a 16-year-old) by selling shots
to the families where their kid was featured. Just a thought, but
keep that in mind if you're interested. They don't have to be great
shots, just decent ones of reasonably good technical quality. All you
need are the team rosters and be willing to approach people with the
idea of selling them a picture. I don't know what kind of camera you
have, but cameras can be very expensive and I'm all for anyone making
photography help pay for itself.

Your first asset is knowing the game. They'll give you a sense of
knowing where the action will develop. To get the best shots for
yourself, or possibly for the club too, you'll need to be a
photographer and not a fan. It's a very different mindset. You're
interested in what's going on visually, not the game.

Depending on your camera, you'll want more batteries and memory
media. Beside your ability as a photographer and your sense of where
the action is developing in the game, your best friend is going to be
being able to take a burst of shots. Start shooting just before the
action and shoot through it. Also, panning helps. Here's where being
a fan of the game and your experience watching it come in. You want
to follow the action towards where you feel it will develop. Will you
be wrong sometimes? Of course, but your percentage of good action
shots will go up. It's something you will get better as the season
goes along. It allows you to frame tighter, which of course means
that there will be less enlargement to do, which means a technically
better picture (at least that's the theory).

When it comes to framing, I like to shoot about 25% more area than my
best in camera crop would be. In any kind of action shooting luck is
involved. I like to build in as much cushy for myself as I can and
25% is about right for me. You might want to start with something
like 50%, but I wouldn't go anything over that. A lot will depend on
your camera.

High shutter speed to stop the action and if that means high ISOs,
that's the price you pay. A good base point is 1/500 sec.

Your zoom lens is your friend and, if you have it, turn on your image
stabilization. Autofocus may help or hinder you, depending upon how
fast it is. An old trick, which I still use, is to pre-focus on where
I think the action is going to be and use depth of field to get the
sharpness.

Move up and down the sidelines.

Don't be afraid to get in front of people. Nothing is quite the
pisser as having somebody get in front of your shot, even partially.

Above all, have fun and if you're not quite satisfied with everything
remember you're going to be better than next time.

Just my 2 p.

Vance

[(used to be) Fat Sam]

On Aug 7, 4:15 am, "\(used to be\) Fat Sam"

Post by (used to be) Fat Sam

Post by Peter

Post by (used to be) Fat Sam
Hi,
I've been thinking all summer that I'd like to spend this season
creating a photographic archive of my local rugby team, Swaffham.
Their ground is owned by the club, but it's not the stadium type.
Just the sort where spectators stand around the edge of the pitch.
Is there anything I should be aware of before turning up at the
first match next month with my camera in my hand?
Obviously, I've written to the team and asked their permission to
do pitchside photography, with the promise that I'll share all the
photos I take with the club for their own use. They said they
thought this was an nteresting proposition, and would raise it at
the next meeting. So, I was wondering if anyone has any
suggestions or advice regarding
pitchside photography.
Any situations, circumstances, protocols or preparations I should
be aware of beforehand?

Unless you have some pretty high end equipment, an intimate
knowledge of the sport, a little bit of luck and a lot of memory
cards, don't try for that decisive action shot. Concentrate instead
on the reactions of the players after something happened, good or
bad. Watch the guys on the bench. Even look at the fan reaction.
Try to isolate on the reason you are taking the shot in the first place,

Aaaah...Thinking laterally, I like it.
There's more to the game than the action on the pitch.
Could come away with some nicely unique shots that way.

Post by Peter
Shoot for yourself, not for a "maybe it will sell."
Have fun.

Thanks, I will.
I know pretty much for certain that my work will not be of saleable
quality, but everyone has to start somewhere, and I'm really wanting
to do this as a way to expand my repertoire and learn new skills
rather than earn a living from it.
If I come away with a reasonable portfolio of action shots, I'll be
happy. If the club happen to publish one of the photos on their
website, then I'll probably wet myself, LOL.- Hide quoted text -
- Show quoted text -

I pretty much started as a paid photographer when I was in high school
by shooting high school sports for the local newspaper. I found I
could make a nice piece of change (for a 16-year-old) by selling shots
to the families where their kid was featured. Just a thought, but
keep that in mind if you're interested. They don't have to be great
shots, just decent ones of reasonably good technical quality. All you
need are the team rosters and be willing to approach people with the
idea of selling them a picture. I don't know what kind of camera you
have, but cameras can be very expensive and I'm all for anyone making
photography help pay for itself.
Your first asset is knowing the game. They'll give you a sense of
knowing where the action will develop. To get the best shots for
yourself, or possibly for the club too, you'll need to be a
photographer and not a fan. It's a very different mindset. You're
interested in what's going on visually, not the game.

I'm a fan of rugby, so I'm very familiar with the dynamics of the game.
But as you said, that might make photographing it difficult, LOL.

Depending on your camera, you'll want more batteries and memory
media. Beside your ability as a photographer and your sense of where
the action is developing in the game, your best friend is going to be
being able to take a burst of shots. Start shooting just before the
action and shoot through it. Also, panning helps. Here's where being
a fan of the game and your experience watching it come in. You want
to follow the action towards where you feel it will develop. Will you
be wrong sometimes? Of course, but your percentage of good action
shots will go up. It's something you will get better as the season
goes along. It allows you to frame tighter, which of course means
that there will be less enlargement to do, which means a technically
better picture (at least that's the theory).
When it comes to framing, I like to shoot about 25% more area than my
best in camera crop would be. In any kind of action shooting luck is
involved. I like to build in as much cushy for myself as I can and
25% is about right for me. You might want to start with something
like 50%, but I wouldn't go anything over that. A lot will depend on
your camera.
High shutter speed to stop the action and if that means high ISOs,
that's the price you pay. A good base point is 1/500 sec.
Your zoom lens is your friend and, if you have it, turn on your image
stabilization. Autofocus may help or hinder you, depending upon how
fast it is. An old trick, which I still use, is to pre-focus on where
I think the action is going to be and use depth of field to get the
sharpness.
Move up and down the sidelines.
Don't be afraid to get in front of people. Nothing is quite the
pisser as having somebody get in front of your shot, even partially.
Above all, have fun and if you're not quite satisfied with everything
remember you're going to be better than next time.

All excellent advice, thanks to everyone.
I've had an email back telling me that their youth team is on a training
week with Leicester Tigers, and the club president has suggested that I come
along tomorrow to bang off a few memory cards full of shots.
This is great, as it will give me a feel for what I need to be doing before
the actual season begins. Sort of a training session for me too.

[ransley]

On Aug 6, 4:13 pm, "\(used to be\) Fat Sam"

Post by (used to be) Fat Sam
Hi,
I've been thinking all summer that I'd like to spend this season creating a
photographic archive of my local rugby team, Swaffham.
Their ground is owned by the club, but it's not the stadium type. Just the
sort where spectators stand around the edge of the pitch.
Is there anything I should be aware of before turning up at the first match
next month with my camera in my hand?
Obviously, I've written to the team and asked their permission to do
pitchside photography, with the promise that I'll share all the photos I
take with the club for their own use. They said they thought this was an
nteresting proposition, and would raise it at the next meeting.
So, I was wondering if anyone has any suggestions or advice regarding
pitchside photography.
Any situations, circumstances, protocols or preparations I should be aware
of beforehand?
Thanks for any and all advice.

What is your camera, sports is where a fast sensor and fast telephoto
lens make a real difference. Forget flash, use the highest iso before
noise is an issue.

[(used to be) Fat Sam]

On Aug 6, 4:13 pm, "\(used to be\) Fat Sam"

Post by (used to be) Fat Sam
Hi,
I've been thinking all summer that I'd like to spend this season
creating a photographic archive of my local rugby team, Swaffham.
Their ground is owned by the club, but it's not the stadium type.
Just the sort where spectators stand around the edge of the pitch.
Is there anything I should be aware of before turning up at the
first match next month with my camera in my hand?
Obviously, I've written to the team and asked their permission to do
pitchside photography, with the promise that I'll share all the
photos I take with the club for their own use. They said they
thought this was an nteresting proposition, and would raise it at
the next meeting.
So, I was wondering if anyone has any suggestions or advice regarding
pitchside photography.
Any situations, circumstances, protocols or preparations I should be
aware of beforehand?
Thanks for any and all advice.

What is your camera, sports is where a fast sensor and fast telephoto
lens make a real difference. Forget flash, use the highest iso before
noise is an issue.

At the moment, it's just an entry level DSLR, but I'm looking to upgrade
within the next 6 months.

[Joel]

Post by (used to be) Fat Sam

On Aug 6, 4:13 pm, "\(used to be\) Fat Sam"

Post by (used to be) Fat Sam
Hi,
I've been thinking all summer that I'd like to spend this season
creating a photographic archive of my local rugby team, Swaffham.
Their ground is owned by the club, but it's not the stadium type.
Just the sort where spectators stand around the edge of the pitch.
Is there anything I should be aware of before turning up at the
first match next month with my camera in my hand?
Obviously, I've written to the team and asked their permission to do
pitchside photography, with the promise that I'll share all the
photos I take with the club for their own use. They said they
thought this was an nteresting proposition, and would raise it at
the next meeting.
So, I was wondering if anyone has any suggestions or advice regarding
pitchside photography.
Any situations, circumstances, protocols or preparations I should be
aware of beforehand?
Thanks for any and all advice.

What is your camera, sports is where a fast sensor and fast telephoto
lens make a real difference. Forget flash, use the highest iso before
noise is an issue.

At the moment, it's just an entry level DSLR, but I'm looking to upgrade
within the next 6 months.

Most current entry level DSLR (like Canon 20D, 30D, and 40D etc. and I
think even the XTi) should be able to handle most fast action sports. And
again, the LENS is a very important part you don't wanna skip.

That's one of the reasons why I always suggest to save $$$ for the FAST
lens instead of wasting $$$ on the cheapie lens. And few hundreds or
more/less $1000 for the lifetime of enjoyment isn't too expensive.

[Peter]

Post by (used to be) Fat Sam
At the moment, it's just an entry level DSLR, but I'm looking to upgrade
within the next 6 months.

If you want to upgrade just to get a new toy, fine. But, unless you run
into unlivable limits with your current toy, put your money in the glass.