Advice on shooting football (not the soccer kind)

Fujifilm XC 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 OIS

04/22/2005 06:15:25 PM · #1

I'm shooting the Penn State blue & white game tomorrow. It's basically a scrimmage, but I've been told I could probably shoot some of the NCAA games next semester so I'd like to make a good impression with my shots. Has anyone shot college or pro football before? Do you have any tips or suggestions (ie, favorite focal length to use, effective aperture/shutter combinations, random advice)?

I'm going to be shooting from the sidelines with a D1H (my D70 as backup) and have access to 80-200 f/2.8, 300 f/4 and 300 f/2.8 lenses. I'll also have a monopod. Unfortunately its going to be cold and rainy tomorrow, but still, it's gonna be fun shooting on the field before 60,000+ spectators = )
Thanks

buzzrock

Fujifilm X-M1

04/22/2005 06:18:18 PM · #2

I'd PM Alansfreed..
//www.dpchallenge.com/profile.php?USER_ID=3102

I know that John also shot some Football but I think his were the "Friday Night Light" variety..

Message edited by author 2005-04-22 18:20:44.

coolhar

Canon PowerShot Pro 90 IS

04/22/2005 07:02:55 PM · #3

Alan is the Man around here for football. I can tell you this much since it's a night game-- take the 80-200 & the 300 2.8; leave the 300 4 at home.

alanfreed

Nikon Z9

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

04/22/2005 08:03:11 PM · #4

I'll agree with coolhar... I'd leave the 300 f4 at home, you'll have plenty enough to carry around as it is :) I would imagine you'll want to keep the 300 2.8 on the camera 99.9% of the time. I'd probably take the 80-200 along and switch between them for the first part of the game to see which suits you better.

The 80-200 will come in more handy if you physically follow the action up and down the field. If you plan to "camp out" in an end zone, you might stick with the 300. I stick with the 80-200 myself, and run myself ragged running up and down the field. You probably need something like a 400mm or higher if you were planning to plant yourself in the end zone.

I always shoot in Aperture Priority, and I generally keep it wide open at 2.8.

You should be well-equipped with the D1H. I find it a bit tricky to get my D100 to focus fast enough to follow the action oftentimes. The D1H should do a much better job than mine.

Penn State is a fun place to shoot! The last game I did there was in 1988, but I remember it well. That place always brings quite the crowd!

If I can be of any more help, let me know... I'll talk your ear off! :)

04/22/2005 08:09:59 PM · #5

Thanks all for your suggestions. Only reason I'd use the 300 f/4 is b/c I think the newspaper only has 2 of the 2.8's (and is sending 3 photographers). Kickoff is at 2 so hopefully most of the game will be pretty bright. Running up and down the field sounds fun, I think I'll give that a try = )

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

04/23/2005 09:57:14 PM · #6

Had a great time (til it started pouring in the 3rd quarter). I've still got a lot to learn (especially at getting pictures of people catching the ball), but here are some of my better pics, and a shot of Joe Pa for good measure. (all pics shot with the D1H, 300 f/2.8 Tokina)

(I didn't really come prepared for rain and spent a good period of time keeping my camera and lens wrapped in a plastic garbage bag..

(My best pic, and the only one I'm really happy with)

alanfreed

Nikon Z9

04/23/2005 10:08:44 PM · #7

Excellent work! (I hear Penn State won, too! :)