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designonline

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Posts posted by designonline

    Sigma 300mm F2.8 with TC, or Sigma 50-500mm F4-6.3?

    in Sports

    Posted

    I would go with the 300 f/2.8. Sigmas super zooms tend to not focus very fast. Anything with a 2X converter will be slower to focus, but I shoot with a Canon 300 f/2.8 and love it. A prime lens I think is just sharper than a zoom. It gives me more versatility to crop the way I want. If I need to get closer, I throw on the 1.4X teleconverter. You'll need that f/2.8 on cloudy days or at night games.

    Producing pics for a swimming event

    in Sports

    Posted

    I have tryed to do both for the paper and the event and it is just about impossible. For the newspaper you have to keep track of the names of who is in the pool and who is coming out of the pool and can be VERY confusing. There is no way to get pics of every kid at a swim meet. There are hundreds of parents all standing right around the pool and once everyone is wet - THEY ALL LOOK THE SAME! Also when in the water, the kids don't rise out of the water during their relays like the pros do, so sometimes you will get absoltely nothing of an entire relay because they never show their face! Backstrokes are usually the best events to get faces and sometimes the butterfly, but again, they don't rise out of the water as much when they are kids. For software, use Photoshop. If indoors, check using the flash because you can mess up the starts. Also if indoors, shoot raw because of the white balance issues. (most indoor pools are VERY grey and dreary.) Take a towel to sit on and to wipe off your equipment. Look around for funny goggles - they make really good pics!!<div>00JNL5-34257184.jpg.76114e87fd8944fb4d0361eff5f5df0a.jpg</div>

    Are there any legal issues when photographing kids sports events?

    in Sports

    Posted

    It took me about 2 years to get in with the youth football, basketball, and baseball leagues here in Katy, TX. The only real issues I know of come with exclusive contracts the league may have with other photographers. Always approach the league first and get something in writing from them allowing you to be there. Be ready to have some of your best work to show them and be prepared to shoot EVERYTHING, including cheerleaders, coaches, cheering parents, players who don't play very much, etc. The photographers who only shoot action and nothing on the sidelines will be replaced quickly. (That's how I took the contract away from the previous photographers.) As far as the parents are concerned, it's a public event. I have only had one parent say anything to me about having their child's pic on a website, and it was only because they were in hiding from an abusive spouse. Just handle them on a case by case basis. 99% of the time, no one else usually buys pics of anyone but their own kids, but keep tabs on who your sales are to: ie grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc. If there is one that looks fishy, call the parents of the player and ask. It only takes a minute and will go a long way in showing that you are being careful about your sales. Do talk to an attorney first and also your insurance agent about an umbrella policy for liability purposes.

    Freelance or franchise?

    in Sports

    Posted

    I recommend freelance as weel. That way you get to pick what assignments you cover, not someone else. Also as a freelance photographer, you get to write off all your equipment, training, mileage, etc. General rule of thumb though, if you decide to do sports photography, consider your weekends pretty much spoken for.

    Need Advice - Football

    in Sports

    Posted

    I agree.. use the center focus point only. Unfortunately the 20D doesn't perform well in low light situations. If you are going to shoot just one person, turn the camera vertically. Might try running the files thru Noise Ninja to cut down on the noise.

    Legal Question

    in Business of Photography

    Posted

    Anything that contains the Detroit Redwings logo is a no-no. You might be able to getaway with the other one because that could be any Detroit team. Go to their website and usually there is a disclaimer about unlawful use of any NHL logos and all of the licensing jargon. People have to pay the NHL big bucks for the rights to reproduce the logo for merchandise. If you really need a firm answer, contact the Redwings home office or the NHL.

    Drop in photography business

    in Sports

    Posted

    I also take photos at youth football games. I have permission from the league and they endorse me at all the league functions and at the team mom's meetings. I make it a point to communicate with all the team mom's and I only go to the games where the team has requested me to be there. I have no problem with the parents taking pictures as well and even help them when I can. This builds a rapport with the parents and gets me tons of referrals. 90% of the parents will never achieve those professional looking shots, and those that do, if you had anything to do with it, will probably funnel even more work your way. I had one parent who I taught to shoot sports and now she teaches the yearbook class at her high school. She often asks me to come and speak to the class and refers parents as well as student athletes to me for portraits. I am constantly having to network, market myself, advertise, etc. to keep up. I also attend workshops to better my photography and learn techniques that can't be just figured out by an amateur shooter. Try to find other ways to get your name out there...contribute to the newspaper, donate photos for local HS team's website, meet with the athletic booster clubs. DON'T GIVE UP IF YOU REALLY LOVE IT!!!
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