Taking photos at football matches - a bit of advice please!

Guy Fawkes

Guy Fawkes

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Lee Thurston
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Hi there,

Thinking of taking my canon 400d (and 70-200mm) to some local(ish) football matches - from BSP down to Unibond North (or maybe even lower!).

Just wondering how cameras are looked upon from the terraces? Has anyone had any problems? I don't want to get on the pitch or anything and the pics will only be for personal use.

What could be nicer than a freezing February night on the terraces watching North Ferriby United?! :thumbs:

Thanks in advance.
 
I've found that if you contact the home club in advance and tell them what kind of pictures you want to take and what you'll be using them for then they will be more than happy to allow you to take pictures. Smaller clubs at small grounds will generally be happy for you to wander round pitch side as long as you are careful and sensible. Some will advise you to have liability insurance if you are going anywhere near the players but I guess it's up to you.
 
Many thanks for your reply Rob,

As a relative newbie, I won't be going anywhere near the players just yet but well worth bearing in mind! Decided to take the plunge as football is a big (biggest?!) passion of mine.

With regards to night matches under the floodlights, i'm assumign these can be taken without a tripod?
 
a mate of mine took a D200 and sigma 70-200 f/2.8 to Old Trafford, he took 3 pictures then a steward spotted him and booted him out, they weren't abusive they just pointed the T&Cs about no pro cameras and ejection from the ground if you took pictures with one and he hadn't got a leg to stand on.

so just ask, they can only say no:)
 
On the one hand its against all ground rules at every club in the UK to take a camera onto a football terrace or stand or whatever (yes even for licencesd photographers)...

On the other hand at that level nobody cares.. You will be alright.. would have to be some real jobsworth to tell you not to.. more than likely it will be the opposite and welcomed with open arms.. probablyl be askled what your doing with the pics as they would like some :)
 
Guy Fawkes said:
With regards to night matches under the floodlights, i'm assumign these can be taken without a tripod?
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you cant take a tripod into a football ground..thats going a bit far.. use a monopod .. but wiht a 70-200 you wont need it (thats presuming its a 2.8)

night footbal.. fill the frame is the best advice...
 
What do you need a tripod for?

I'd imagine York City wouldn't be too keen on you in the stands with a long lens but you'd be fine just shooting from behind the barrier in the Unibond league. FGR won't let me use my camera at their games after I supposedly upset someone when I took these at the start of last season.
 
You didnt upset the girl in thw white top did you Tiger ? I noticed she is in quite a few of the photos ;)
 
Guy Fawkes said:
Thanks for all the comments guys, very much appreciated. :)

I think the way forward is to email the gronds before I go.

Thanks again.
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Avoids problems - but at most smaller clubs you should have no problem.
 
I am not sur atb what level they start getting stroppy,I photograph weekly in amateur football but have also taken shots in the Welsh league with no problem at all
 
Guy Fawkes said:
Hi there,

Thinking of taking my canon 400d (and 70-200mm) to some local(ish) football matches - from BSP down to Unibond North (or maybe even lower!).

Just wondering how cameras are looked upon from the terraces? .
Click to expand...

That will depend on whether you want it to take pics or throw it.
 
wack61 said:
a mate of mine took a D200 and sigma 70-200 f/2.8 to Old Trafford, he took 3 pictures then a steward spotted him and booted him out, they weren't abusive they just pointed the T&Cs about no pro cameras and ejection from the ground if you took pictures with one and he hadn't got a leg to stand on.

so just ask, they can only say no:)
Click to expand...

I've taken my 40D and a 70-300 to OT and I also see lots of this level of kit at every game> Korean guy stood beside me last yesterday with a 5D and 70-200. I think as long as you only take pics during the warm up they are OK. They're bound to get shirty if you try it during the match as you need a licence for match pics.
Not seen if he's posted yet but Kipax on here could advise.
 
Oakey22 said:
sorry if you mind but want to point out something in this pic, why doesnt she use the tripod colar instead of the one on the camera, thats a lot of weight on the camera mounts.
1252233086_927056379f.jpg
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Yip, she is doing that camera no good at all and making it harder to get a steady shot.
 
I had a ball smack right into the monopod.. it made the monopod leave the collar on my sigma 12-300 and ripped all the threads..

I am not the above photographer :) I did ahve a reason for doing the same until i got a new collar though :)
 
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