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DPChallenge Forums >> Tips, Tricks, and Q&A >> NHL Photoshoot
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01/30/2009 10:55:36 AM · #1
So i've been commissioned to photograph an NHL hockey game tomorrow in Montreal. (yes, that's short notice!) I have a press-pass and all...

I've never done anything like this, so i was wondering if anyone has any tips for me?

What exposure should i expect there? I'm assuming i'm aiming for 1/1000 shutter at least?
What focal range should i expect to work in? (I have a D700 (FX sensor) with a a 70-200mm 2.8, a 1.4x and a 2.0x teleconverter)
My equipment should allow the full focal range, but will i have issues focusing with the teleconverters?
Any suggestions on focusing? Should i stick to the 51-point 3D tracking the whole time?
How many GB of card space should bring?
Does anyone know where i'll be allowed to stand? Will they position me? Or will i be able to decide where to go?

thanks
aleks
01/30/2009 11:01:50 AM · #2
I've never done an event like this but arenas are notoriously bad for lighting and the lighting will probably be mixed. Custom white balance would probably be the way to go.
01/30/2009 11:08:18 AM · #3
Awesome...i'm jealous...i shot a hockey game a few months ago in Buffalo Ny (Sabres vs Caps) and was allowed to bring in my 70-200 @2.8 L IS. I think i left the shutter speed at 800-1000 and didn't go above 4.0 with the aperture. I beleive most were shot at 2.8. I also had the ISO anywhere from 800-1000. Not sure how the lighting is in Montreal so you might have to raise the ISO some more. Here are some of my shots from the game. I recommend shooting in RAW in case you have to adjust WB and other things during PP.

//www.wizphotos.com/p711578418

Message edited by author 2009-01-30 13:37:41.
01/30/2009 11:48:15 AM · #4
congrats...not sure if NHL has the same rules as NFL...but I would suggest talking to AlanFreed. But he's probably heading south for the Superbowl. Go Steelers

But as I learned from his mistake, if you have a press pass, be careful where you post the pictures you were allowed to take.
01/30/2009 01:18:43 PM · #5
I imagine the technicals will depend on whether you are given triggers for the arena strobes. In Detroit, the photographers are positioned right on the glass, on portable crates/seats set in the aisle and they have remote triggers for the arena strobes. Without strobe access, you will be doing the shutter speed/ISO dance.
01/30/2009 01:33:50 PM · #6
Originally posted by Patents4u:

I imagine the technicals will depend on whether you are given triggers for the arena strobes. In Detroit, the photographers are positioned right on the glass, on portable crates/seats set in the aisle and they have remote triggers for the arena strobes. Without strobe access, you will be doing the shutter speed/ISO dance.


doing a shoot at JLA with the Wings would be my dream job ...
01/30/2009 01:49:17 PM · #7
Originally posted by pamelasue:


doing a shoot at JLA with the Wings would be my dream job ...


That would be cool. Hey, Labuda, how'd you get your gig?
01/30/2009 01:57:12 PM · #8
While never having shot NHL I have shot in my share of Dungeons, and have dreamed of shooting NHL games just because they have holes in the corners to shoot through. Make sure you get there early and pick out a couple of spots to shoot through. Take a custom white balance reading off the ice. I only see one lens that will have a chance of taking a decent shot at a game in your lineup. The 70-200. Remember one thing. If you expose for the ice, you will likely underexpose the faces by a stop or so. I generally dont mind losing some detail in the ice for a properly exposed face. Shutter speed needs to be fast, NHL and its players are faster then you think, and they are right on you in a manner of seconds(this is true even in the HS and college ranks) hopefully your D700 and 70-200 can keep pace, there is very little room for focus errors, and since you are being paid, they will expect you to deliver. Good luck.

Matt
01/30/2009 03:07:59 PM · #9
Originally posted by Patents4u:

Originally posted by pamelasue:


doing a shoot at JLA with the Wings would be my dream job ...


That would be cool. Hey, Labuda, how'd you get your gig?


I got it through a polish newspaper in chicago that wants the game covered. My main focus should be Komisarek; he's from polish origin. I didn't try to get this, but a friend of a friend gave my contact and that was it. Lucky i guess!
01/30/2009 03:31:00 PM · #10
This is a case where capitalization matters ... polish is something you apply to shoes or furniture. ;-)

Congrats on the gig -- let us know how it goes.

Message edited by author 2009-01-30 15:31:24.
01/30/2009 04:45:36 PM · #11
1/1000 shutter seems fast to me, I don't seem to get as much color saturation if it's too fast shutter. I've frozen moving objects 1/250 - 1/500 seems plenty. I've shot surfers at 1/125 with a polarizer to get more DOF.

A monopod may be helpful. Plan to do spanning. Lots of close shot behind goalies for shooting the "Forward" offensive players. Defensemen don't usually go beyond 1/2 to 2/3 toward the opponent side. My son played Defense from 5 to 17 years of age. I only did videotape at that time.

The glass wall is not very clean and scratched, but you can get above it, with a Telephoto lens. Spot focusing is too small and 51 points may be too much. It might not focus exactly on one particular of three close subjects. I don't have 3D, but group is good. You can always crop in if it's sharp.

Added:
They sometimes make a spectacle at first appearence on the ice and announce the players as they jump in.

Message edited by author 2009-01-30 16:48:08.
01/30/2009 04:50:14 PM · #12
/jealous
01/30/2009 05:24:41 PM · #13
Many of the best sports shots involved the holy trinity of one player form each team and the object of interest, in this case, the puck. Just something to keep in mind. I've shot a couple pick up games, and it's difficult. Make sure you've got a good write speed so the buffer doesn't fill up when you are in burst mode shooting a break away. And bring as much memory as possible. My .02 CDN. Oh yah. And I copy the jealous statement.

ETA: the few games I've attempted shooting were shot at high ISO and relatively wide open. As stated earlier, 1/1000 is a bit much. I've managed to get some decent stuff with 1/250 and maybe even slower, though a slapshot may require higher shutter speed with the speed of the stick moving. My best hockey shot is here

Message edited by author 2009-01-30 17:28:04.
01/31/2009 10:17:20 AM · #14
Originally posted by pidge:

Many of the best sports shots involved the holy trinity of one player form each team and the object of interest, in this case, the puck. Just something to keep in mind. I've shot a couple pick up games, and it's difficult. Make sure you've got a good write speed so the buffer doesn't fill up when you are in burst mode shooting a break away. And bring as much memory as possible. My .02 CDN. Oh yah. And I copy the jealous statement.

ETA: the few games I've attempted shooting were shot at high ISO and relatively wide open. As stated earlier, 1/1000 is a bit much. I've managed to get some decent stuff with 1/250 and maybe even slower, though a slapshot may require higher shutter speed with the speed of the stick moving. My best hockey shot is here


That's a great shot pidge!
Thanks for the tips. I have a feeling i'll be learning a lot today.
And i'm supposed to interview Komisarek at the end of the game and get shots of him with the Polish flag... hopefully i'll be able to fight the crowd to get to him after the game.

I'm assuming 14GB should be enough?
01/31/2009 10:44:09 AM · #15
Originally posted by labuda:

So i've been commissioned to photograph an NHL hockey game tomorrow in Montreal. (yes, that's short notice!) I have a press-pass and all...

I've never done anything like this, so i was wondering if anyone has any tips for me?

What exposure should i expect there? I'm assuming i'm aiming for 1/1000 shutter at least?
What focal range should i expect to work in? (I have a D700 (FX sensor) with a a 70-200mm 2.8, a 1.4x and a 2.0x teleconverter)
My equipment should allow the full focal range, but will i have issues focusing with the teleconverters?
Any suggestions on focusing? Should i stick to the 51-point 3D tracking the whole time?
How many GB of card space should bring?
Does anyone know where i'll be allowed to stand? Will they position me? Or will i be able to decide where to go?

thanks
aleks

Well I live in northern Vermont, so if you need a very seasoned second shooter, let me know. Honestly, with the D700 you shouldn't have any problem shooting this. the important thing will be getting a good wite balance reading. The light in an NHL arena will be better than all the dungeons I shoot in and you can shoot at such a higher ISO, so your shutter speed should be set fairly high. Good luck and seriously if you need a second shooter I'm only 2 hours from Montreal.
01/31/2009 12:22:18 PM · #16
White balance will be a factor under those lights! But that's a given. Just thought I'd mention it.

Good luck!
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