Getting started in Sports Photography

[james_allen11]

<p>I have been on here and other boards trolling for quite sometime. I have been reading various posts in regards to sports photography. I guess the big question I have is how to start shooting sports. In the past I used my friends and the connections that developed to creat oppportunities for sports photography. I have wanted to resume sports photography, particularly soccer. I never really got an opportunity to do much soccer shooting. Here is the equipment I currently have:<br>

Nikon D70S<br>

Nikon 85mm 1.8<br>

Nikon 50mm 1.8<br>

Nikon 35mm 1.8<br>

Nikon 70-300mm ED<br>

Nikon 18-70mm 3.5-4.5<br>

Tripod (Better than the cheapo ones sold at wal-mart)<br>

Camera back pack<br>

Of course I have been told that my camera is older and the newer stuff is better. My rationale for choosing an older camera was that I could afford some nicer lenses. I can also rent faster lenses if necessary. There is a new state of the art soccer complex that was just built less than 5 miles from my house. I really want to improve but I don't wanna come across as desperate. It all boils down to getting my foot in the door. That is basically what I am after. If I need to invest in a 70-200mm 2.8 lens then I will do so in the future. I was always told that the best thing to have is good glass versus a great body and just a kit lens. </p>

<p><img src="http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/swankyeyeball/online/DSC_0120.jpg" alt="" /></p>

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[William Michael]

<p ><strong ><em >“the big question I have is how to start shooting sports. . . . I have wanted to resume sports photography, particularly soccer. I never really got an opportunity to do much soccer shooting.”</em></strong></p>

<p > </p>

<p >Then make the opportunities – shoot some Pro Bono. And Network.</p>

<p > </p>

<p >WW</p>

[Matt Laur]

<p>Yes, glass is important, and as a general rule is a better place to put money than into camera bodies. But sports is one of those areas where, alas, the camera body also really counts. Four reasons:<br /><br />1) Auto focus behavior. The AF module on bodies like the D300 and D3 is far, far more agile than earlier generations. This is a tangible, real thing when shooting sports.<br /><br />2) FPS. No matter how good your personal timing and familiarity with a particular sport, your sellable results can improve with the high frame rates and big buffers of the newer bodies.<br /><br />3) Low light performance. Lots of sports occur in wretchedly lit indoor spaces or happen as the sun is going down (or under outdoor lighting). The better your camera can work, in terms of image noise, at ISO 1600 or higher, the more sellable your results.<br /><br />4) Build. Bodies like the D300 and up are physically more rugged and have weather sealing that can make it less treacherous to be out in damp, dirty conditions.<br /><br />But none of that matters without the opportunities to shoot. It really is who you know. Consider shooting some practices! Offer the coach and players some free candids and action shots from such sessions, and take advantage of the fact that you can shoot at practices without there being the same limitations that occur during a real game. You can get some great material when everyone (and the rules) are more relaxed.</p>

[ben_goren]

<p>James,</p>

 

<p>If I may make a couple observations based on the pictures you posted: you need to be much, much,

much more aware of what’s <em>behind</em> your subjects. Fully half of your samples have

people with chain-link fence poles sticking out of their heads like Steve Martin arrows. And twice you

cut off feet at the ankles.</p>

 

<p>I think your best and fastest route to success would be to shoot lots of meaningless practice

sessions and then get as much critique on your technique as possible. Photo.net is an excellent place

to come for such criticism.</p>

 

<p>At the same time, be aggressive in critiquing the work of others doing similar work. Don’t be

bashful; just because you can’t shoot at somebody else’s level doesn’t mean you

can’t identify things <em>you</em> do and don’t like. And evaluating the work of others

is a great way to learn how to evaluate your own work.</p>

 

<p>Through that process you’ll come to identify your <em>real</em> equipment shortfalls

— and, even better, you’ll know <em>why</em> what you have isn’t up to the

task and <em>how</em> new gear will solve those problems. Only at that point should you spend your

money.</p>

 

<p>Cheers,</p>

 

<p>b&</p>

[james_allen11]

<p>Thanks for the responses. Lol! These photos were some of the very first I actually took of soccer. Before this I had never shot soccer before. It has been a few years since these were taken. Back then I was just happy to shoot and didn't really think of anything else. I will have to work on the background and being aware of what the backdrop will be as well as the content in the picture.<br>

I dunno if a d300 is gonna be in my budget. However I may be a ble to swing a D200 body. It isn't the newest but I believe it has great sports photo capabilities. If I had to save up for a d300, I would. I guess it would be a good investment. I think the D70s will be alright while I am learning for now. Hopefully my opportunities for soccer will be during the day.<br>

I have heard that the newer camera have a better ISO capability. I am assuming that even with faster ISO speeds that digital editing will become more important? I was always taught that using anything above 1600 would produce a ton of noise and make unusable pictures. I guess technology has caught up to this trend since I started using digital cameras.<br>

Taking pictures of soccer practices is good advice. I never thought about that! When something is free, people don't usually worry about the other details. I think what I will do is get in contact with the local soccer clubs and offer my services in return for access to a few practices. I have been looking through the galleries of many photographers on this site and on other sites. Some of their pictures are outta this world. <br>

IT is kinda disheartening to realize that even though I wanted to get the best equipment that I could with my budget that perhaps a better DSLR body would have been a better choice versus a more lenses. It's like starting a race with a decided disadvantage. However I originally learned shooting sports with an old Maxuum 9000 AF camera shooting manual zoom and focus, so I'll make the best of what I have got until then. =)</p>

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<img src="http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b65/swankyeyeball/online/DSC_0340.jpg" alt="" /><br>

After looking through some of my old pictures, I realize how much the backgrounds really detract from the picture. Definitely gonna have to wprk on that! Thanks for the tip!</p>

[dave_mccoll]

<p>Rent a good body and see the difference, minimum D 700</p>

[james_allen11]

<p>If I rent a D700, I'd probably never wanna go back to my Nikon D70s....lol. Though I am considering the D200 or D300.</p>

[viewthroughmylens]

<p>If you're going to be dealing with high school or youth sports.. you won't have a whole lot of say in backgrounds usually....<br>

At one of our high school fields.. there are cars parked on one side and parents and more vehicles on the other (the soccer only field)<br>

<img src="http://www.viewthroughmylens.net/Galleries/CloquetSports/BoysSoccer/VsDenfeld/BoysSoccerDenfeld9.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="679" /></p>

<p>Another.. has biffies and garbage cans!<br>

<img src="http://www.viewthroughmylens.net/Galleries/CloquetSports/BoysSoccer/VsSuperior/BoysSoccerVrSuperior2.jpg" alt="" width="619" height="700" /></p>

[Matt Laur]

<p>The solution for those, Dave, is a very fast lens shot close to wide open. Throw all of that clutter <em>way</em> out of focus.</p>

[daverhaas]

<p>some other things to consider:</p>

<p>If you're doing this for "parents" / event sales - you'll need<br>

1. Website / Web presence.<br>

2. Computers to display photos for parents to view at event<br>

3. Printer to print photos<br>

4. Staff for the booth at the event<br>

5. Memory cards - More than 1.<br>

6. Contacts with the league / coaches to get you in the door.</p>

<p>Many schools (HS) and Leagues have realized what a cash cow (for them) selling photos at their events provides. Thus they demand a couple of things - Good coverage and prompt payment! Many have right of first refusal agreements with photographers already in place (and those that don't are getting them) or firm working agreements with photographers. The right of first refusal means that for any event, the league contacts their first photographer and offers the gig...if they are booked or can't commit to the event, the league is then free to go to other photographers. </p>

<p>In exchange for the agreement the photographer typically gets exclusive rights to sell images from that event, a table / booth space and of course access to areas that parents normally can't get to. Of all the things that are touchy about events / sports - this is one of the most. There's a camp that says the events take place in "public" locations are are therefore fair game to shoot and sell. Then the other camp that says they've worked to develop the relationship with the league - therefore they have the exclusive right to sell photos from those events. There's also the MWC (mom w/camera) in the stands (typically) who gives her kids friends free photos.... So there is plenty of competition.</p>

<p>Also keep in mind that as the participants go up in age, sales tend to go down. By the time Jack or Jill is in their late teens the parents have enough photos of them and tend not to buy as much... the younger kids are where the cash tends to flow. Although there are always exceptions.</p>

<p>Overall - I'd say I spend about 30-40% of my time actually shooting - the rest is selling - trying to get new leagues, teams, events. </p>

<p>Also keep in mind that "No" today doesn't mean "No" tomorrow - Don't burn any bridges. I had a league that I pitched to last summer - they said "No" then... Last week they called and asked if I could shoot 4 events (upcoming) for them - seems that the person they were using booked another event over one of their upcoming ones and couldn't make it. They ended up losing all 4 events. </p>

<p>Dave</p>

<p> </p>

[james_allen11]

<p>Seems like I have much to do in order to get started on this. I never realized that this was so involved. Mt first goal is to work towards gaining experience and then work from there. Right now if you look at the examples of my pictures ; there are few that would be even borderline sell-able. I will work on creating new contacts within the local leagues here in Overland Park and also work on gaining experience shooting so that I can provide photos that people will be interested in buying. </p>

[shoppix]

<p>I just retired my D70S after buying a D300S to go along with the D300 I already had. The D70s is noisy and lower fps than the D300 models. The ISO on them is way better than the D70S.<br>

You're right about investment in good glass versus bodies. But....you get to a point where the benefits of a current body technlogy would be valuable to you.<br>

The 70-200 2.8 - with constant aperture - would be best spend right now. It will stretch your daytime hours of use - re: poor lighting at end of day and rainy days - and alow you keep aperture set at 2.8 or 3.2. That lets more light in so you can kind of keep the iso down and still get good shutter speeds. It also gets you better control of DOF to blur those backgrounds. As Dave H pointed out, your pretty much stuck with the BG that is there. More important to stay on side of field with sun behind you to get better light on your subject.<br>

One of your shots had player on bench in shadow. Pop up that on camera flash for some fill in those situations.<br>

Keep shootin'</p>

 

[Marc453]

<p>I don't think anyone mentioned it, but the tripod is a lawsuit waiting to happen. Don't take it anywhere near the field. If (heaven forbid) a player trips over it, you will be liable and will be in big trouble. Othr than that, the rest of us sports photographers don't need the competition, so go shoot um... weddings! Yeah, that it. Shoot weddings.</p>

[paige_kornelsen]

<p>I think one of the most important this is to just go shoot and be seen shooting. A perfect example is when I was in college I went to every home softball game just to watch (I love softball) then finally one day I took my 40d and my poor kit lens just to practice taking pictures. I was in the stands just clicking away when the coach approached me in between games and asked who i worked for and if i sold photos. I went on to explain that i was a student and this was just a hobby for me and I ended up getting my first team and individual portrait session a few days later. Mind you it was all done for free for the college's website, but they got pictures and i got experience.<br>

As also mentioned above its who you know, and that doesn't mean a big wig at Sports Illustrated. I've always went back to my home town and watched high school sports, ate at the diner, etc. on Friday's and weekends. The people there got wind of me doing sports for a hobby and commissioned my to do their little league portraits. Now I'm doing all their little league, portraits and action, and the high school is now working on geting me to take over all their photos.<br>

I also used to work with a lady in the mall, and she knew I liked to take sports pictures. She emailed me out of the blue over a year after we both left that job asking me to do her son's little league basketball t&i photos.<br>

Sure I'm not a millionaire, and the work flow isn't steady especially during the winter, but I am getting more work every month, and more importantly I'm getting my name out there.<br>

I also might suggest submitting pictures to a local newspaper. Start with a small daily or weekly paper. Take pictures of games and email them over. I work at a newspaper and because of budget cuts we barely have an editorial staff and are begging people to submit artwork. A lot of newspapers are like this. You may not get paid at first but if you keep taking quality stuff they will start sending you out and paying you for it. We have around 3 guys who consistently write and take sports pictures for us that aren't employees but we pay them as stringers.</p>

 

[dave_mccoll]

<p>I'm a devoted Nikon shooter, get the D300 over the D200, low light capability is better, I've owned both. Now shooting with a D3.</p><div></div>

[shawn1965]

<p>some fast glass perhaps?</p>