Football Photography: Advice needed

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juanito

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Hi folks,

I have been lucky enough to bag myself a press pass for the Liverpool v West Ham game on Monday evening. Unfortunately I have a limited amount kit.

This consists of a Nikon D80 body and a Sigma 70-200mm F2.8 EX DG lens. I also have a Sigma 18-50 2.8 and a Nikon nifty fifty 1.4, though I doubt either of these would be of any use to me on the night.

Any suggestions of improving my chances of achieving at least a couple of decent shots at the game?

I's not a paid job and I am currently unemployed so would be looking at hiring anything else I may require from Calumet.

What would be my basic essentials?

Maybe a teleconverter, monopod etc?

Thanks in adavance :)
 
I'd say a teleconverter would hamper you big time. What about hiring a 300mm f2.8 and maybe another body so you can have the 300mm on one and your 70-200 on another body for any close action that comes your way.
 
Steveo_Hants said:
I'd say a teleconverter would hamper you big time. What about hiring a 300mm f2.8 and maybe another body so you can have the 300mm on one and your 70-200 on another body for any close action that comes your way.
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I agree. You need a fast aperture and a TC won't help you. There's a reason why all the pro 'togs on the sidelines have things like 300/2.8s and 400/2.8s .....
 
juanito said:
I have been lucky enough to bag myself a press pass for the Liverpool v West Ham game on Monday evening. What would be my basic essentials?
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WOW! How did you manage that? Please PM me about it if needbe. Most I managed to get was Championship through my local newspaper and that was the most I could get. Please do let me know how you managed that though! Very impressive! :D

With regards to gear. Ideally if possible, rent a second body. Keep your 70-200mm on one body, and rent a 300 f/2.8 as well if possible. The 70-200 will be great if you cannot stretch to renting a body and new lens on its own, for when two players are running down the wing towards you and are jostling on the ball. Thats your money shot!

Also a small chair of some sort to sit on may be useful, so that you are not uncomfortable if made to sit on the ground for 90mins. A box of some sort could be sat on also though?

Make sure you position yourself on the wing with the most action coming down it. That way you have more chances to get the perfect shot.

Gear wise the 70-200 would be OK on its own. For championship football I used a D300 with 70-300 VR and got some OK shots - not great but adequate (flickr link to ohotostream with some of them on it: http://www.flickr.com/photos/29590453@N08/)

Also, its a great opportunity, so make the most of it, and ENJOY IT! :D
 
Thanks for all the advice up to now guys. It's all very much appreciated.

Think i'll give the TC a miss then but will enquire about the 300 f/2.8 on Monday and maybe a monopod. I dont think my budget could stretch to an extra body unfortunately. Though I think having something to sit on would also be a great idea.

I tend to mainly do a lot of concert photography but as passionate red I also document the progress of the supportes union and this Monday they have a giant mosaic planned on The Kop to show their support for Michael Shields the jailed Liverpool fan and have ask me to get a few shots which I am hoping to be able to get with my 18-50 f/2.8.

Then i'll have the rest of the game to get what I can.

Great shots by the Alex
 
Nice one on blagging a pass, you must know someone very high up as getting in to any match of that caliber is pretty much impossible without an FA license!

Anyway i would say

- Take a seat or stool cos keeling is rubbish for the whole match. Also makes you look like you know what your doing
- Your best bet is 300 f2.8/ 70-200 f2.8 thats all i really use, on two bodies. Anything else will be too wide, unless by chance they run by for the celebration.
- All togs have a preferred position some like the wings i prefer either side of a goal near the corner spot get a bit of everything from here.
- Beg borrow steal and get a D3 seriously for evening football my camera rarely leaves 3200!
- If you do get the 300 bring a monopod cos holding it up for 90 mins isn't nice.
- Enjoy the match, and don't fret if you don't get anything. Most people never get the opportunity!
 
Thanks for the advice Russ.

Seat, monopod, 300 or 400 f/2.8, spare body.

Will see which of these I can beg , borrow or steal before the game tomorrow.

Fingers crossed! :thumbs:
 
Good luck

Oh and a warm jacket, gloves and a hat are essential.

Otherwise you will forget about the match and be just be thinking about how cold you are!
 
russbates said:
Nice one on blagging a pass, you must know someone very high up as getting in to any match of that caliber is pretty much impossible without an FA license!

Anyway i would say

- Take a seat or stool cos keeling is rubbish for the whole match. Also makes you look like you know what your doing
- Your best bet is 300 f2.8/ 70-200 f2.8 thats all i really use, on two bodies. Anything else will be too wide, unless by chance they run by for the celebration.
- All togs have a preferred position some like the wings i prefer either side of a goal near the corner spot get a bit of everything from here.
- Beg borrow steal and get a D3 seriously for evening football my camera rarely leaves 3200!
- If you do get the 300 bring a monopod cos holding it up for 90 mins isn't nice.
- Enjoy the match, and don't fret if you don't get anything. Most people never get the opportunity!
Click to expand...

IIRC stools are a no no at Anfield. You shoot sat on the floor with your lens hood off as a mark or respect to the guy working next to you so he can see the game too.....
 
Gracias Diego.

There goes the stool!

Definitely a pair of waterproof's then I think.

Do you think i'll get an opportunity to move during the game or even at half time maybe?
 
juanito said:
Do you think i'll get an opportunity to move during the game or even at half time maybe?
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If what happens at OT (Old Trafford) is anything to go by, the togs all finish sending off their final images from the first half then race round to the other side so they have united attacking them in the 2nd half again. I think movement during play is not allowed (I may be wrong though!)
 
Thanks Alex

Fortunatley/unfortunately I have nowhere to send my images to in a hurry so may be able to improve my position for the second half if needed.
 
Hi guys, newbie on the lose but felt i had to offer my advise on this.

As a season ticet holder at LFC the situation is like this. All camers start either at the Anfield road end just before kick off or they huddle on the touchline taking pics of random celebs in the "exec box!"

Once the game is underway they are all located at the Anfield road end in the corner closest to the main stand. It looks a decent position for shots of the away fans if you wanted some candid shots of football fans at work!

Second half and its all change..,,,,,,,a quick sprint down the touchline to the Kop!!!

Good luck and hope this helps!
 
duff1979 said:
Hi guys, newbie on the lose but felt i had to offer my advise on this.

As a season ticet holder at LFC the situation is like this. All camers start either at the Anfield road end just before kick off or they huddle on the touchline taking pics of random celebs in the "exec box!"

Once the game is underway they are all located at the Anfield road end in the corner closest to the main stand. It looks a decent position for shots of the away fans if you wanted some candid shots of football fans at work!

Second half and its all change..,,,,,,,a quick sprint down the touchline to the Kop!!!

Good luck and hope this helps!
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I'm guessing thats because they want liverpool attacking them in all of their photos?
Don't liverpool always prefer to defend the kop first half? might have got that totally wrong though! :lol:
 
You jammy get........

LOL!

Can`t wait to see some of your results.
 
Hey man,

As a Red too, just wanna say 'you lucky *&£$%@~ ' lol. God I hope we win and go top.

Enjoy it and best of luck mate!!

ps. 300 or 400 2.8. In London at the mo, the going back up 'norff' soon. The weather is nice here (sunny!) but will you need to take a rain guard of some sort? Also extra warm clothing.
 
alex_m90 said:
I'm guessing thats because they want liverpool attacking them in all of their photos?
Don't liverpool always prefer to defend the kop first half? might have got that totally wrong though! :lol:
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I guess they assume most of the action will be in the away teams penalty box........but thats not always the case esp at the moment!!! lol

And your right Liverpool always defned the Kop first half...............
 
duff1979 said:
I guess they assume most of the action will be in the away teams penalty box........but thats not always the case esp at the moment!!! lol
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It will be tonight. My mighty Hammers haven't been very mighty at Anfield since 1963 :eek: So expect plenty of action in the away teams penalty box tonight.

Good luck with tonight, hope you get a decent result with the photography :thumbs:
 
How did it go matey, Dont forget to share your experience here.... ;)
 
well done m8, very lucky.

Would love to get an oportunity like that, with my team (im a stoke fan) or any other really.

Just a little note on gloves, what do people do for gloves, do they werea fingerless or get used to being hampered.

Personally I have a pair of leather gloves in my camera bag, and i cut a slit in the shooting finger, so I can still touch the shutter button with my finger, but the rest of my hand (and rest of my finger ) is snugly tucked away
 
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