Shooting at York City

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ash39

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Hi guys,

got my first ever match at Kit Kat Crescent a week on Saturday, never shot a proper game before. The woman I spoke to at the club was quite vague about things despite me saying I hadn't done it before so I'm after some advice.

Can anyone tell me what happens on matchday, where do I need to turn up? How long before kick off? What is the etiquette with other photographers and 'spots' etc? I don't imagine people will be fighting for spots for a match against Ebbsfleet United but you never know!

Thanks
 
ash39 said:
Hi guys,

got my first ever match at Kit Kat Crescent a week on Saturday, never shot a proper game before. The woman I spoke to at the club was quite vague about things despite me saying I hadn't done it before so I'm after some advice.

Can anyone tell me what happens on matchday, where do I need to turn up? How long before kick off? What is the etiquette with other photographers and 'spots' etc? I don't imagine people will be fighting for spots for a match against Ebbsfleet United but you never know!

Thanks
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First off, the ground isn't called that anymore, it's back to being 'Bootham Crescent' now (the image I show here is an older one). Here's a general guide to the place for reference first of all http://www.conferencegrounds.co.uk/york_city.htm

Have you actually been given a press-pass? I'm going to assume you have in making this post. In answer to your specific questions: The office where you sign in is easy to find. Just use the main entrance to the ground that runs along Grosvenor Road, image by the_king_tubby from Wiki...
250px-KitKat_Crescent_entrance.png
Forgive the lack of specifics, but I've only been sent down there twice. The office is in the main stand (the white building in the image) just ask one of the stewards at this entrance where you sign in, and they'll point you straight to it. You sign in at one of the windows and are given both a pass and a 'high-viz' vest. From here just show your pass to one of the turnstile staff and they should let you pass through. I'd suggest you turn up an hour to an hour and a half before kick-off, some arrive earlier, but I find this gives me plenty of time to setup.

Both of the games I've done were BSBP games against Tamworth and Braintree, and I think Ebbsfleet are of a similar stature in the league. You shouldn't have any problems with space based on my experience, you do see a handful of photographers and they may all cluster together on one side of the goal following York making it a little tight there, but that'll still leave plenty of room on the other side.

I wasn't informed of any restrictions on where you're allowed to sit (I always ask new clubs for clarification on this now, so you should just ask to avoid potential problems), but personally I wouldn't use the touchlines, as per the course for lower league grounds there isn't much space and you'll be at a risk of getting in the way of players and/or getting trampled, so stick to behind the goals would be my advice.
 
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Only been there once which was a few years ago for a pre-season against Middlesboro. Signed in as mentioned above but dont think there was any restriction on were to sit. Cant remember the floodlights being that good so f2.8 lens will be a must. Hope Ebbsfleet win which will enable Grimsby to close the gap on York :thumbs:
 
That all sounds pretty straightforward. In terms of equpment I only have a 500d and 70-200 F/2.8 non IS so not a lot of setting up to be done. I realise the 500d will struggle as it gets towards the end of the second half but it's only a hobby at the moment and I can't justify the upgrade. Want to see if I suit it first.

I play a lot of football myself so hoping the positional and tactical knowledge will give me an advantage in terms of where to point the camera and when to shoot.

Tophatter, I phoned the club and asked to speak to the person dealing with press passes. The person wasn't in the office so they gave me an e-mail address, and I got a reply pretty much straight away saying no problem. I'm not sure if I'm meant to have paperwork or anything so I've fired one back asking what I need to do next.

I'm from Leeds but now living in York so I'm a Leeds fan anyway, although I want York to do well, sorry guys!
 
You may be asked to show your conference licence & proof of PLI!. Kind regards Graham.
 
I wouldn't risk shooting at a venue where professional sportmen were performing without having PLI inplace.

Lets say they crash into you and they are out injured for two seasons as a result of the collision ....No even worth thinking about !!
 
Where did I say I didn't have pl insurance? I'm insured for 2m. A lot of egos on here!
 
2 quick tips regarding positioning, firstly avoid sitting directly in front of the advertising boards or emergency gates (not sure of the setup at this particular ground), and if you're shooting from behind the goals look where the supporters for the team attacking your goal are. Players will often run towards their own fans after a goal.
 
Aperture87 and Pooley, thanks for the insightful advice. I have a good idea where I'd like to try and position myself. Do people often swap ends at half time at lower league level? I'm expecting a York win and would if possible try and get at their attacking end for both halves.
 
pooley said:
2 quick tips regarding positioning, firstly avoid sitting directly in front of the advertising boards
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Really? To be honest, I've found that at most grounds (below Premiership/Championship where they have space behind the boards) you have little choice but to sit in front of the advertising boards because there isn't space to go anywhere else! Granted, if there is room to sit without blocking them you certainly should do so, but often, as is the case with Bootham Crescent, it just can't be done.
Do people often swap ends at half time at lower league level?
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I can't speak for everyone (obviously!) but for me it depends on who they are there shooting for. If they are there for a club or a local paper then they will tend to follow 'their' team, but others, like me who are there in a neutral capacity to simply cover the game will tend to pick an end for more photographic reasons (better background, away fans behind you in case of an away cele' at that end, lighting etc) and stick with it, but this is not a rule at all.
 
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pooley said:
Really??
You've never had an over enthusiastic steward trying to shift you because they can't see all the advertisers name on a board? It's the OPs first match, just trying to avoid unnecessary hassle.
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Funnily enough, only once in my three and a half years of shooting. This was at Kingston Park, at a Newcastle Falcons Rugby match, but that's because there was room to sit behind the boards but they are very tall at that end so photographers can have trouble seeing over them hence the attempt to sit on the other side. Of course, some games they'd let you and others they didn't. I've never had it happen at a football match when I've sat in front of them, at grounds where there's simply no other option. I suppose if the OP wan'ts to play it safe at Bootham Crescent (where he'll have no choice) then he can try and position himself so that he's sitting towards the edge of the boards and therefore not blocking the main advert.
 
ash39 said:
Aperture87 and Pooley, thanks for the insightful advice. I have a good idea where I'd like to try and position myself. Do people often swap ends at half time at lower league level? I'm expecting a York win and would if possible try and get at their attacking end for both halves.
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I think its fair to say that as York are the home team covering their attack would be the best option in both half especially when you look at both teams league positions.....................but dont dismiss an upset!

If sitting behind the goal then make sure you get a good sweep of the gaol area and always best if you have some idea of which side players run when celebrating a goal :thumbs:
 
ash39 said:
Where did I say I didn't have pl insurance? I'm insured for 2m. A lot of egos on here!
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And where did it say you did have it ?

You asked for advice and I thought it usefull to mention it. Not an ego just trying to be helpful and pointing out the potential should you fall foul without any.

Good Luck with it.
 
snapzz said:
I think its fair to say that as York are the home team covering their attack would be the best option in both half especially when you look at both teams league positions.....................but dont dismiss an upset!
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I was given York City v Tamworth last season. Normally I stay 'neutral' and don't follow anyone but on this occasion the league table was telling with York challenging for promotion and managerless Tamworth down the bottom struggling so I decided to follow York. The end result? I was at the wrong end for both of Tamworth's goal and they won 2-1, so certainly don't dismiss it!
 
Aperture87 said:
I was given York City v Tamworth last season. Normally I stay 'neutral' and don't follow anyone but on this occasion the league table was telling with York challenging for promotion and managerless Tamworth down the bottom struggling so I decided to follow York. The end result? I was at the wrong end for both of Tamworth's goal and they won 2-1, so certainly don't dismiss it!
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Sometimes these games have a habit of "kicking you in the teeth" :shake:
 
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