FIVE MISTAKES TO AVOID AT YOUR FIRST PRO GAME | Sports Photography
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- Опубликовано: 22 июл 2024
- Today I am sharing five mistakes to need to avoid when you get the chance to photograph your first professional sporting event. It's an exciting moment and it's easy to get carried away at the game, so be sure not to make any of these mistakes if you want continued opportunities in sports photography.
0:00 Introduction
1:20 Don't Post Credentials on Social Media
2:12 Don't Cheer
3:08 No Autographs
4:42 Only Shoot From Where You're Allowed
5:51 Don't Block Other Photographers
6:48 BONUS: Don't Forget to Network
7:47 Recap
ABOUT ME:
I currently work as a director of photography and content at USA Today Sports. As part of our national and worldwide distribution, you've likely seen my work in many publications including but not limited to USA Today, The New York Times, Chicago Tribune, ESPN, and Sports Illustrated.
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I am sharing this video with some high school photography students. I am a sports photographer that has been contracted to shoot our local High School sports. This football season I noticed these kids were walking through the players box and posing players during the game. I approached one to kindly let them know that they are not supposed to be in the players box, and they could get in trouble doing that. I was informed that their "teacher" told them to do that because you get better pictures. I let them know they might be able to get away with it at this level, but they do that in a college game or pro you won't have a credential any longer.
So important to network. Also just being personable and polite to everyone. I've also found that athletes appreciate it when you treat them like people and not celebrities. It's also so great to pass information on to others. When someone new shows up at our ballpark I always take time to welcome them and give them a rundown. You always give great advice. Bet you're excited to get shooting.
I know some people can get a little protective of their "turf" but you can still be a decent person. Thanks for watching!
@@JerryTLai oh yah they can. I'm thankful for those who guided me and I just want to pass it forward.
I found networking has gotten inquiries from news sources if my pictures can be used with credit. It also gotten me tips on settings, and angles, etc. More importantly, it has gotten me relationships.
I'm starting out in sports photography, and all these tips are going to help me with my next shoot. Thank you.
I found you in my suggestions, i dont know how and why, but even tho im not a photographer this was really interesting. Keep working on man💪
Even the great Google and RUclips might make a mistake once in a while, but glad you stopped by to say hello!
Thank you for another excellent video.
Great video! Only shooting where you're allowed is a big one to follow as in some instances, it is a safety issue. I haven't shot a baseball game before but before many of the off-road races I've gone to, there's always a mandatory media meeting where they tell you where you can & can't shoot, how far you need to be from the track and never, never be on the outside of a turn. I have found that at any time if I'm unsure of a spot that I can always ask the nearest course official and he or she will be able to tell you if that's a safe spot or not. Plus, if you're really cool about it, sometimes the course officials can point out some better vantage points that you may not have seen in the first place.
Good tip. I think especially for motorsports, they tend to have pre-race meetings. They usually have for NASCAR and IndyCar events that I have been to.
Thanks for sharing the tips! I have only shot some local cycling events casually from the sidelines (as a hobby) but really these tips sure work for me too. And I ultimately agree with your bonus point - networking is one key to move forward in this industry.
Have a good time in Japan!
Hi Jamil, thanks for watching! Yes these tips can apply to anybody no matter what level. Happy shooting!
I remember my first shoot for you. I didn't make any of those mistakes but I was brutal at captioning and didn't have the right gear. You let me know it and I still feel bad 😂
LOL I did? Well, look at you now so maybe I scared ya straight :-)
@@JerryTLai oh yeah. NFL, 70-200 with a teleconvertor, keywords, wrong tense. Rookie.
@@BradRempel Haha I was debating on getting on a teleconverter to pair with my 70-200 versus saving up for a 200-400. Obviously the 200-400 would be better, but is the 70-200 w/ tc an ok placeholder? Should I just save my money?
Hi Jerry! I have been following these tips and are remarkable accurate - some serious 'don's', that if you cross the line... Networking is keen and from experience people, specially senior photographers get to know you and makes a whole lot of difference for the next event when you will meet them again.
Cheers
Thanks for your continued support Carlos! Hope you continue to enjoy these videos and making great photos out there!
@@JerryTLai hopefully yes, working to make better photos, but dedicated now to fine tune my work flow. Its a pleasure to see your commitment on helping the photography community through this channel! Cheers
Thanks for the tips, Jerry! I hope your trip to Japan was awesome! I've been continuing to work on my baseball portfolio working for the Kenosha Kingfish as their team photographer and I think you might like to look at it! My goal is to shoot a Cubs game someday (& Bulls, Bears, Blackhawks, etc haha).
Hey John, thanks for watching. I just sent you an email. Since we are in the area, let's touch base later on in the summer when I get back!
@@JerryTLai Hi Jerry! Thanks so much for getting back to me! I would really like to meet you later in the summer (August)! Be on the lookout for my email in the morning (6/22/2021)!
Hi Jerry, I think it is important to be friendly. I have been photographing Flat Track Motorcycle racing for 20yrs. There are often 10-12 photographers walking the inside of the track. The one thing that always annoys me is that one photographer that has the " YOU KNOW WHO I AM' mentality and is very standoffish. It creates a negative vibe for everyone that is close by. As you said in your video I always introduce myself and shake hands (elbow bump ... now-a-days). Great channel!!!
Unfortunately inevitably in this industry there are some people who have big egos. Just stay friendly and do the best work you can and let that do all the talking. Thanks for watching!
Nice one Jerry, Hope your not going to stir crazy in that hotel room? One thing I would say is ask the marshal's if its ok to shoot from this area, even if you have an ALL ACCESS pass, keep on there good side.
Great tip! Fortunately, I am out of that hotel room. My work in Japan is completed and I'm back in the US for a few weeks.
What Sony lenses do you recommend for boxing?
For combat sports - and boxing in particular if you are ring side, a 24-70 and a 70-200 is a good combo. Some people go wider, and go with a 16-35 but I find a 24 is adequately wide unless you are really trying to go for a sense of place, or if you have access to the celebration inside the ring.
Thank god I don't get paid for shooting a game so I can cheer and talk to whoever I want! :D
Funny you say that. It's such a first world problem to have, but I do miss just being a fan and being able to just enjoy a game, go to watch parties, or not worrying about who to talk (or not talk) to!
What's going to be the best solution for an 300mm+ lens for my R5? Obviously can't spend 5 figures on the 400 f2.8, etc.. Should I consider the RF 100-500, or perhaps an EF lens with the RF/EF converter?
I think the 100-500 is a great lens to consider. If I'm not mistaken, it's the only RF lens with 300mm+ range that's not in the five figures range. That said, like the EF 100-400 before it, you're going to likely be limited to using that under daytime or sunny conditions. Pushing it all the way to f/7.1 at 500mm is probably going to be difficult in a lot of indoor/evening situations, even with the newer R5. I really like the EF 100-400, so I'm sure the 100-500 is great too... you just have to be aware of and live with its low light limitations.
@@JerryTLai Thanks for the reply. I would assume there would be something like an RF 400mm f/4 coming in the future, would it be worth waiting for that? I already have the RF 70-200 f/2.8, but I'm looking for something with more reach for soccer/baseball/football. Do you think the ISO performance of the R5 would help make up for shooting at f/7.1 during say, a night time soccer match?
Hi Eric - I think everything that is currently offered (or has recently be offered) in EF form will eventually come out in RF form, so while I don't know for sure I'm pretty certain a 400 f/4 will be in the pipeline. However, it would probably be quite expensive too. I think a new EF 400 f/4 is like $6-7K so an RF version would be pushing 5 figures too.
ISO performance of the new cameras may mask some of the problems of low light, but I still think you still need to do what you can to reduce the noise. Whether that means shooting at 400 f/6.3 or even 300 at f/5.6 (or wherever the aperture transitions happen) and sacrificing a little bit of shutter speed. I did a video that roughly touched on this when it comes to shutter speed: ruclips.net/video/gFROLzX4USw/видео.html
@@JerryTLai Appreciate the replies. Thank you!
I commonly see photographers at pro events shooting long lenses without lens shades, why is that?
Jerry a little different subject but I was at a music venue as a paid ticketholder for one of the last shows Cream did at MSG. I paid $1200 for 2 tickets in the second row of the floor seating, for the first part of the show the 2 seats in front of me were vacant. A working photographer came over and stood on the seats directly in front of me totally blocking our view. I was patient and figured he would get a few shots and move on. To my surprise he remained their for a second song and showed no intention of moving. I politely asked him to move or at least sit down so we could see, he was nasty and security ended up coming over to see what the commotion was about. I again politely said there is a photo pen, 20 feet away and he could have taken a few shots and moved. Have you ever had a bad experience with a fan and what is the proper conduct in that type of situation?
Interesting... so I'm sure the photog moved because the photo pen probably had some sort of problem (obstructed or just not ideal for whatever reason). BUT here's the unwritten rule.... DO NOT block a paying customer (but if you absolutely must to achieve a certain look... ask nicely and get out of the way ASAP). I'm surprised the security didn't ask the photographer to move back to their designated area.
@@JerryTLai it ended up okay and the photographer came over after the show and apologized. He offered to send me some photos, I said to him I understand you have a job to do, I was patient for one complete song, I declined the photos and just said I wanted to see it live, Cream will never tour again and it was a once in a lifetime moment for me. I guess we both got caught up in the moment. He thought I called security, I thought he did, it turned out they just saw the tension between us and came over as a precaution. I enjoy your content very much, its great to get the information from a working pro who happens to have a youtube channel, there are far too many youtubers putting out bad information, THANK YOU💖
One time, I was shooting basketball on the baseline and another photographer was shooting on the opposite side. So, naturally, I went to explore that side with him (literally right next to him) and I was asked to move (by the media communications guy) because I was "in the way," but I wasn't more "in the way" than the other guy. Made no sense. I'm good friends with the other photographer now, too, which is funny. Not sure why I couldn't sit there, too, though.
Question shoot RAW or JPEG? I shoot for Maxpreps and they want JPEG. But I still prefer RAW. and some of my friends who shoot for Getty shoot RAW and we’re dumbfounded when I told them they want me to shoot JPEG. And I understand why they want to shoot JPEG cause there is a very specific crop that they use and they say you can’t get the photo under 10MB for upload to they site if you use RAW which I found is not true when you use Photoshop or Affinity Photo for cropping
Personally, I shoot JPG. Workflow for me is slightly faster, and I don't have as much issue with storage. But we have no preference for our photographers - it's what they want to do. Maxpreps saying you can't get the photo under 10MB for upload doesn't sound right to me. Couldn't you just shoot RAW and then export to JPG with a size limit?
@@JerryTLai Exactly my thought process. My understanding is that Maxpreps wants you to export the image as a JPEG for them to use. Some photogs I've spoken with say JPEG's faster, but I'd rather have the ability to correct white balance and exposure if need be. To them, I say don't spray and pray lol. Export in a lower res if need be 👍
Have you been working out? Nice flex! Enjoy Tokyo.
LOL all skin and bones. Definitely not a photographer body lol.
Just to add, try not to "tag along" to season photographer in the hope for better angles without his consent or permission.. And try not to disturb others when they're busy nailing the shots during the action.. Talking through my experience 😆
And most important thing is "know the game" you're shooting.. As in my case, photographers who never shoot at an equestrian dressage competition or shows will have no clue on what to shoot if he doesn't understand the sport itself.. For normal people, dressage is like the horse walking around aimlessly 🤣
Haha I will admit we almost never photograph dressage but we do see it broadcast and always wonder what is going on! As you I’ve said and now you’ve said - “know the sport!”