Any tips for golf photography? - DPChallenge Forums

Tamron SP AF 17-50mm f/2.8 Di II LD Aspherical (IF) for Nikon

06/18/2008 03:15:47 PM · #1

I have been asked to cover an amateur golf tournament and I guess I'm getting a little apprehensive. I'm comfortable shooting any sport in a gym, on a field or track, or on the road, but I have zero golf experience. I understand the basics of the game, but I could really use some tips on positioning, etiquette (very exclusive country club), and just generally how to handle covering an unknown number of foursomes on a large course.

Also, when shooting outdoor sports, I usually shoot raw. I just found out they will need the golf photos for a slide show during dinner! I suppose this means shooting .jpg (which I almost never do) and choosing in camera settings (picture style). Any tips on this?

I will probably be using my 1Dmk3 with 300 f/4 with or without 1.4x TC. I also have a 70-200, 28-75, and 19-35 for a few wide shots.

I normally don't take assignments with this much pressure until I have some experience, but I really didn't have a choice this time. Thanks for any tips you have.

wsl

Nikon D80

06/18/2008 03:37:31 PM · #2

I work at a golf course, and have to shoot tournaments and events on a regular basis. You're not going to get everyone, unless you stay at 1 hole, shoot everyone playing that hole over and over. Best bet is to find out which holes are going to give you the best angles/views to compliment your photos. Shooting a guy's ass while he's putting would be pretty lame unless you've got a fountain spraying in the background adding to the shot.

Normally each course has a few "signature" holes. Find out which holes they are, and how to best navigate between those. Drive around in your cart (or walk if they won't have carts available) and find the easiest route for you.

Positions - During the swing, impact, holding their backswing, and putting are usually going to be the best shots. You'll have to find which positions at each hole give you the best shot. Like I said earlier, use landmarks to strengthen the shot, ie fountains, lakes, etc..

Etiquette - no talking during swings, or getting ready to swing. If your driving a cart, and you're passing a group, stop if they're about to swing, same with walking by or driving by someone putting. When shooting a putt, don't be directly in front of them or "in their lie". Its distracting to them. You either have to use a long lense and be a good distance away to catch that particular angle, or be close, but be off to the side a bit. Just be polite, talk softly, and I'm sure you'll do fine. While shooting if you see where a ball lands, point it out. Lost balls happen alot in amateur tournaments. Talk to the pro's in the golf shop and ask them if there's anything special you need to know about their course while out there.

The last event I shot was a media day for 9 new holes opening this summer. It was 102 degrees, little to no shade, and no clouds till later in the day. I shot the entire thing with 17-50.

As for the slide show - I shot in raw, loaded up lightroom and exported a quick gallery and they viewed it during dinner. So don't feel you have to shoot jpg. The gallery I put up is at HERE

I primarily followed 1 group around that day, and there's no touch up on those images, so excuse the washed out colors. But maybe some of the shots there will give ya some ideas. Just remember its an amateur tournament, so they'll be more focused on their golf game then they will be on you. Good luck!

Message edited by author 2008-06-18 15:40:15.

Jammur

Nikon D300

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II

06/18/2008 03:45:44 PM · #3

Just remember your only allowed 14 lenses in your bag. :)
I think you've gotten so good tips, hope you have fun and get some great images.

Message edited by author 2008-06-18 15:46:01.

drydoc

Canon EOS-7D

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

06/18/2008 03:57:59 PM · #4

ditto wsi

I'll add: Most courses have a transition point in their lay out- where two tees and two whole are very near each other. You might try to find out where that is. Hanging around there will cover a lot of players, a variety of backgrounds, and of course driving and putting.

I will re-emphasize etiquette. Talk softly. Don't assume all the golfers are Tiger Woods and want to be photographed. Word of caution. . . do not stand to the right and in front of a driver. Make sure you are a safe enough distance back from a driver. And a tree mighnot only act as a camera tripod but also quick cover!

I did find most foursomes felt special being photographed.

Oh! One more thing. Golfer might feel embarrassed being caught in a sand trap (bunker). . . but blasting out makes for a great shot.

Message edited by author 2008-06-18 16:03:04.

06/18/2008 03:58:05 PM · #5

Thank you so much! That helps a lot! I'm probably getting worked up over nothing. It should be a fun day. I'll try to talk to the person running the slideshow to see if I'll have time to process raw files. I hadn't planned to bring my laptop, but I certainly can. I'll post a few pics Monday or Tuesday. Thanks again!

Sigma 30mm f/1.4 EX DC HSM for Nikon

06/18/2008 04:01:04 PM · #6

Originally posted by drydoc:

And a tree mighnot only act as a camera tripod but also quick cover!

I'll keep that in mind! Thanks!

jdannels

Nikon D300s

06/18/2008 04:04:50 PM · #7

Also be careful of how close you are to the action when you click the shutter. I would try not to be close if you are shooting someone's backswing. If they can hear it they will be distracted and get really annoyed.

If you had another M3 you could mount your camera in a tree and use live view and shoot really close and get some really unique shots and would be pretty much invisible to the participants. :)

Melethia

Canon EOS-80D

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

06/18/2008 04:11:52 PM · #8

Does the M3 not have the RAW plus jpeg option? I'm assuming it doesn't. Do they want you to get "group shots" of each foursome? Make sure you ask that - several tournaments I've been in (obviously not competitively!) have done the group shots then had them available after the round for the participants. The course or tournament covered the cost so they were gifts to the participants. If so, you do want to stay in one area of the course to make sure you get everyone as they go by. And a signature hole would be a good place for something like that. Good luck and have fun!

mpeters

Canon EOS-5D

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

06/18/2008 04:14:52 PM · #9

amateur may = many errant drives. Stand next to someone who you can hide behind. ;) Likely the amateur players at your tournament will be very solid players, capable of hitting the ball down the middle.

I think your 70-200 or 300 lens will be a great choice-- gets you up close and personal.

Canon EF 70-300mm f/4.0-5.6 IS USM

06/18/2008 04:29:13 PM · #10

Originally posted by jdannels:

I'll probably just avoid the backswing all togather. I don't want to risk it, besides I think the followthrough would usually make a more pleasing shot.

Originally posted by jdannels:

If you had another M3 you could mount your camera in a tree and use live view and shoot really close and get some really unique shots and would be pretty much invisible to the participants. :)

I still haven't used live view to it's potential yet. That would be cool, but, maybe next time. :)

Originally posted by Melethia:

Does the M3 not have the RAW plus jpeg option? I'm assuming it doesn't.

It does. I was just fooling around and it looks like I could shoot Raw on CF and still fit over 1000 small jpgs on a 2gig SD. Do you think that (small jpg) would be sufficient for the slideshow? Also any ideas about picture style?

Originally posted by Melethia:

Do they want you to get "group shots" of each foursome? Make sure you ask that - several tournaments I've been in (obviously not competitively!) have done the group shots then had them available after the round for the participants. The course or tournament covered the cost so they were gifts to the participants. If so, you do want to stay in one area of the course to make sure you get everyone as they go by. And a signature hole would be a good place for something like that. Good luck and have fun!

Thanks. I'll ask about that. We're not planning on any onsite printing, so I don't think they'll require it. But I'm sure they would like at least a few group shots. I've located the signature hole for the course. I'll definately spend a bit of time in that area!

egamble

Canon EOS-7D

06/18/2008 04:31:37 PM · #11

Originally posted by nickp37:

I understand the basics of the game, but I could really use some tips on positioning, etiquette (very exclusive country club),

It is customary to scream FORE before each photo is taken.

:)

just trying to make you smile. I really have no clue. But good luck!

Message edited by author 2008-06-18 16:32:37.

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II

06/18/2008 04:35:59 PM · #12

Originally posted by egamble:

Originally posted by nickp37:
I understand the basics of the game, but I could really use some tips on positioning, etiquette (very exclusive country club),

It is customary to scream FORE before each photo is taken.

:)

just trying to make you smile. I really have no clue. But good luck!

If I decide I never want to work for them (or anyone in this town) again, I'll give that a try! :)

Jammur

Nikon D300

06/18/2008 06:04:21 PM · #13

After some time for thought I do have a constructive thought.... the best golf shots I can remember aren't the routine ones, there the ones of celebration that follow a good shot. So if you want shots that the participants will remember its those moments you should try to capture. Think of Tiger pumping that fist :)

pineapple

Canon EOS-5D

Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM

06/18/2008 06:24:21 PM · #14

Put the 100mm f/2.8 on the 350XT body and carry that around for those surprising creative shots with selective DOF. The shots you get from this side set up will enhance those you shoot with the main camera and lens... icing on the cake if you like.

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

06/24/2008 01:36:07 AM · #15

Well, it was a long and crazy day. Despite a computer meltdown (not mine, but I ended up fixing it anyway) I managed to get a slideshow up within 30 minutes of the end of the golfing! That included an emergency run to Radio Shack! Anyway, heres a few shots from the day:

Registration, Lunch, and Driving Range:

Golf:

There were many similar group shots:

Dinner and Awards:

Thanks for looking! C&C welcome.

Melethia

Canon EOS-80D

06/24/2008 02:59:42 AM · #16

Looks like they had a great day for golf! Good shots, in my opinion - I especially like the ones where you captured the "after the putt went in" part. What did you end up shooting and using for the slide show? Did you try the small jpeg? Glad to hear it went well, too!