So you want to be a sports photographer?

Nikon AF-S Zoom-Nikkor 28-70mm f/2.8D IF-ED

04/29/2007 03:19:15 PM · #1

Well folks I'm coming close to finishing my first year working as a freelance/assignment reporter with the local paper. I've been thrown into some really wild stuff that I never would have shot had I not worked with the newspaper. I've shot just about every sport you can think of in the past year, some I'd like to forget I shot and some that you walk away with some images that you cant believe you actually caught. This past week I had to shoot a night baseball game where local teams were playing in a semi-professional stadium. It was a big deal for them and a big deal/challenge for me. So how did I do? I think I did pretty well. And the reason I did so well has to do with DPC and some of the great photographers here in the forums putting their knowledge on the line helping idiots like me become better photographers. So while the forums are filled with bickering people, people posting just to make others mad, and all sorts of stuff not photographic in nature. Sometimes sifting through all of that stuff is well worth it. I'd like to send out some props to the guys who have directly or indirectly helped me make my first year a success.

Skip world famous sports/news/everything photographer, taught me not to be scared of high ISO

jmsetzler Sports photographer supreme, I cant list all the tips I've picked up from you. SC would kill my post for bandwidth

Alanfreed Watching some of the stuff you do in the sports field is inspiring.

Thanks guys, here are some images from the past week that I know I couldnt have gotten without your advice and encouragement. All shot with the 120-300 2.8 Sigma @3200 ISO and @ f2.8 with varying shutter speeds.

MattO

Gringo

Nikon D2X

04/29/2007 03:22:23 PM · #2

Bravo Matt! Kudos on you.

rasdub

Nikon D70

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G IF-ED

04/29/2007 03:27:35 PM · #3

Good job Matt!

suemack

Canon EOS-20D

Konica Minolta MF 85mm f/1.7

04/29/2007 03:29:16 PM · #4

Good work Matt!!

briantammy

Olympus PEN E-P3

04/29/2007 04:45:15 PM · #5

those are some great shots matt, looks like a fun job

sher

Canon EOS-300D Rebel

Tamron AF 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di LD Aspherical IF for Canon

04/29/2007 04:51:02 PM · #6

definitely great shots, Matt!

jemison

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

04/29/2007 06:07:58 PM · #7

Great shots Matt! That 120-300 rocks, doesn't it? It looks like you must have had dugout-level access...sweet!

Canon EOS-20D

04/29/2007 06:15:32 PM · #8

What, no "

mk for listening to me blather on endlessly about sports, teasing me mercilessly for being an equipment ho and exhibiting extreme patience while I antagonize her with my wretched grammar?"

Just kidding, dude. You've done a lot this year and come a long ways...very cool. You should be proud. :)

Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS USM

04/29/2007 06:44:27 PM · #9

Thanks for the kind words about my shots.

to

MK you got me there, however if I had to thank you everytime you put me in my place and helped me, the forums would look pretty lame with every other topic being "MK you helped me again" posts.

Jemison The 120-300 is one of the best "budget" lens on the market IMHO. After drooling over a Canon L lens knowing I wouldnt be able to afford one forever, I took a serious look at the Sigma and found I wouldnt be disappointed with the purchase. Turns out I was right, if someone shoots sports and needs a 300 F2.8 this is a definate must look at lens if your on a budget.

Thanks again to the guys and gals on these forums that help out not only me, but every user, member, and noobie who comes to these forums asking for your help. Regardless of whats said in the forums filter out what you dont want to read and remember that there are folks here who not only are willing, but love to help other members of the community. I'm just one example of a student of DPC who has been helped by the kindness of others.

MattO

Skip

Canon EOS-1D X

04/29/2007 08:51:08 PM · #10

Originally posted by matto:

Thanks again to the guys and gals on these forums that help out not only me, but every user, member, and noobie who comes to these forums asking for your help. Regardless of whats said in the forums filter out what you dont want to read and remember that there are folks here who not only are willing, but love to help other members of the community. I'm just one example of a student of DPC who has been helped by the kindness of others.

and i'm really glad you posted this, because i have been getting rather tired of all the filtering i've had to do lately...

jemison

04/29/2007 10:36:29 PM · #11

Originally posted by MattO:

Thanks for the kind words about my shots.

to MK you got me there, however if I had to thank you everytime you put me in my place and helped me, the forums would look pretty lame with every other topic being "MK you helped me again" posts.

Jemison The 120-300 is one of the best "budget" lens on the market IMHO. After drooling over a Canon L lens knowing I wouldnt be able to afford one forever, I took a serious look at the Sigma and found I wouldnt be disappointed with the purchase. Turns out I was right, if someone shoots sports and needs a 300 F2.8 this is a definate must look at lens if your on a budget.

Thanks again to the guys and gals on these forums that help out not only me, but every user, member, and noobie who comes to these forums asking for your help. Regardless of whats said in the forums filter out what you dont want to read and remember that there are folks here who not only are willing, but love to help other members of the community. I'm just one example of a student of DPC who has been helped by the kindness of others.

MattO

Hmmm...never thought of a $1750 lens as "budget"...sort of busted mine.

04/29/2007 10:40:11 PM · #12

Originally posted by jemison:

Hmmm...never thought of a $1750 lens as "budget"...sort of busted mine.

Well thats why budget was in quotation marks. I bought mine new from Sigma4less and paid a touch over 2200 for it. But when you consider the alternative to a 300 F 2.8 it is a bargain. I sold 3 lens including 2 L lens and an 85 1.8 to help fund this one so its not like I have a money tree in the back yard.

MattO

jemison

04/29/2007 11:00:11 PM · #13

Originally posted by MattO:

Originally posted by jemison:

Hmmm...never thought of a $1750 lens as "budget"...sort of busted mine.

Well thats why budget was in quotation marks. I bought mine new from Sigma4less and paid a touch over 2200 for it. But when you consider the alternative to a 300 F 2.8 it is a bargain. I sold 3 lens including 2 L lens and an 85 1.8 to help fund this one so its not like I have a money tree in the back yard.

MattO

OK. To me, "budget" lens and "bargain" lens are two entirely different animals. I agree that it is indeed a bargain.

04/30/2007 01:14:50 PM · #14

Originally posted by Skip:

excellent work, matt! that's some really nice stuff you have there (bob brockland ought to be paying you for the exposure ;-)). it just goes to show, you bust your butt shooting in the crappy places, you wind up prepared to take advantage when the good opportunities come along.

Originally posted by matto:
Thanks again to the guys and gals on these forums that help out not only me, but every user, member, and noobie who comes to these forums asking for your help. Regardless of whats said in the forums filter out what you dont want to read and remember that there are folks here who not only are willing, but love to help other members of the community. I'm just one example of a student of DPC who has been helped by the kindness of others.

and i'm really glad you posted this, because i have been getting rather tired of all the filtering i've had to do lately...

Thanks Skip its nice to get good marks from a guy who has inspired my work. Its nice that you always take the time to help people out with your posts and your wealth of information. I know alot of folks who wouldnt take the time to do what you do, especially when I know how hectic your schedule can be. And the post was to acknowledge that and remind people that there are still people here who do that and I for one am glad there are. Keep shooting and posting I for one learn alot from your posts and appreciate it, and some day when I'm good and famous like you I can do the same to the next generation of photogs.

MattO

JeffDay