SPORTS PHOTOGRAPHY: Shooting From The Stands aka Elevated Photo Positions
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- Опубліковано 1 січ 2021
- I know for the past few months, many of us have been forced to shoot from the stands and the seats: in other words, you have been shooting from elevated photo positions. One day, the regulations will loosen, and roaming around on field level or working from ground level photo positions will be available again. However today, I want to share FIVE reasons why you should consider continuing to shoot from these upper, elevated photo spots.
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I currently work as a director of photography and content at USA Today. As part of our national and worldwide distribution, you've likely seen my work in many publications including but not limited to USA Today, The New York Times, Chicago Tribune, ESPN, and Sports Illustrated.
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For Division I football, my favorite position is with the TV cameras on the camera deck five stories above the field. I have clear shots of the entire field and with a decent 400-600mm lens, I've been really happy with the results (plus, as Jerry says, sidelines, especially in football, can be hazardous especially if your camera is in front of your eye)
As I started my motorsports photography without credentials, I looked for those "outside of the box" locations. Higher up seats in the stands, walkways, on top of RV's in the infield and such. I like the elevated position as it gives me a much wider area for the creative panning shots, and with a big crowd will typically give you a big sweep of color. Shooting at Indianapolis Motor Speedway for Indy and NASCAR my favorite spot, no matter my credentials is from the crows nest on the roof in turn one. Great tips for sure.
Hey Stephen, I have always thought being on top of an RV would be a fun spot to be at NASCAR. I see a lot of crash photos taken at Daytona or Talladega, and there are always people on top of RVs in the foreground of those photos. Talk about a sweet unobstructed view if you're on those RVs! Thanks for watching!
I am way too late on your channel, and now i am marathoning your videos
Hi Ifani! I love this! Fortunately I’m pretty new to UA-cam and don’t have that many videos... yet! Thanks for watching!
Pray to the photography godz! 🙏📸
Found your channel today, these videos are awesome. I’m enjoying these tutorials and learning a ton.
I'm glad you are finding these helpful! More to come!
I just found your channel and I am really appreciative of all the great content. This episode, in particular, hit home because currently for water polo the University is not allowing freelancers onto the pool deck. I felt frustrated but had a job to do, saw your video, and reset my mind. The client was happy and I begrudgingly accepted the fact that obstacles are part of the gig. I think I was scared to try something new without practice. Thanks for the kick in the ass.
Thanks for watching Terrell. Unfortunately to this day not all field or playing area-level photo positions have returned. But all we can do is make the best of it!
Great insight Jerry, have had great success shooting from above at motor racing events both for cars and bike's and love it. But will give it ago for Football/soccer and see what I can get. Thanks again, and Happy New Year.
Happy new year Paul! Yes I’ve shot motor sports elevated too and it’s great because it gives you a chance to see the whole field of racers, as well as all turns and pits. It’s great for football and soccer too. Thanks for watching and let me know how the shoots go when you’re able to go!
Hi Jerry, Happy New Year to you! Yeah, shooting from above did give another point of view of images as some client would want those without commercial/advertising board along the field. Thanks for the sharing.
Happy new year! Yes very true, but that is somewhat dependent on the client. I know some team photographers who have to intentionally shoot from certain spots on the field (or in the stands) so they specifically include signs or ads. The "right" way for you to shoot and the "right" place for you to shoot from will depend on what your goals are in the shoot. Thanks for watching!
Hey Jerry, you sharing your experience from 16 years of work on the sidelines of stadiums is really nice! Paired with the insight of the editorial side on what's a relevant photo beyod the ones we all see on the frontpage of the local newspaper set's your chanel appart! Thank you!
@abc appreciate the kind comment. I'm doing my best! Thanks for watching!
Your video on shooting baseball was very helpful. Thank you.
Glad you found that one helpful! Play ball!
Thank you for the video.. greetings from Indonesia
Usually I only go into the stands when I'm in a soccer stadium and it is raining cats and dogs. The stands do usualy provide a roof... On the other hand I love to shoot Icehockey from the stands and this clearly is my favorite position.
Ha true! I forgot about that! That is also a 6th benefit of shooting elevated - shelter!
Thank youuuu sir Jerry 🙏🙏🙏🤙
Happy to help! More videos to come so stay tuned!
Thank you for the tutorial
You’re welcome! Glad you enjoyed the video.
Wow, Jerry, I’ve discovered elevated photography to be a great advantage when one day I was prohibited to be on the field! Plus I wasn’t as tired!!! Thanks!!
Yes, being elevated has a lot of great advantages!
How can you shoot photos from the field? U need something in specific?
I was Tier 2 for MLB during the pandemic and all of 2021. Even with field level access now, I still go up top and around the ballpark to switch it up.
man, im 20 years old and i want to learn how to get these photography gigs at major sporting leagues just like you!!
im from the bay area, so i feel like i definitely could get my foot in the door if im at the right place right time
Loving your content direct to the point! Happy New Year too. Great heads up...I had the chance to do that (shooting from the stands) at a tennis tournament and skipped my attention...won't happen anymore!!! ;-) Cheers
Thanks for the kind comment! Yes, there are many benefits for shooting from the stands, so don't pass up on those opportunities as they come up!
@@JerryTLai Anxious to see the results from my photoshoot today. Importing to LR as I'm writing this comment. About 8 photographers on the most difficult field I've shoot so far. There isn't, beside the stands (field left side), one single part of the rugby field without, building, cars, etc. and on top of the surrounding is a white shiny wall just to blow everything else!!!! So every photographer was at field level, except one at the stands shooting from above...guess who ;) For this one I have to give you all the credits as it wouldn't cross my mind so instantly as I got there!!!! Cheers and thank you for your up and close support! What a motivational channel!!!
Shooting elevated gives a great opportunity to capture the atmosphere of the game or event, which the organization you shoot for loves when promotion and seeking sponsorship dollars.
For sure, being elevated is great for sense of place. Thanks for watching Robert!
Great content... I have setup next to your teammates (Darren and Stan) in the upper decks and on the field. Would love to show you my images for a 30 second critique. Subscribed, keep the content comming.
Hey Don, click my about page and send me an email there!
NHL Covid restrictions forced me to shoot from an elevated position but it’s open my eyes to new angles and possibilities.
Another plus is that I don’t have to walk by smelly hockey bags in the hallways at the Scotia Bank Centre after games.
lol will add the "will avoid smelly hockey bags" to the list if I do an update to this video.
Hi Jerry, I have a question about shooting from up above that isn't really covered. I've only had one opportunity to shoot high up before and I found that a heavy telephoto lens on a monopod pointing down to the field was very off-balance and difficult to stabilize. I was shooting much like the photographers in the intro shot of this video, and my monopod would basically slip behind me. I have an upcoming event where that's my only vantage point. Do you have any suggestions for equipment or gear that would help to stabilize a long telephoto lens like that so it's not constantly tipping and I'm not spending hours in this position fighting gravity? Would a ball head on the monopod help so I could still tilt down but have the monopod upright? Or something else? Thanks!
Hey Brian, this is a good question, and an issue I have encountered as well. You're right, there is too options: 1) get a ball head, or 2) fight gravity. The ball head is a good idea, but if you do get it, make sure you get one robust enough to handle the weight of the long lens PLUS camera body. But the problem I have seen with ball heads, is even though they are pretty sturdy when new they do wear out pretty fast. So I hate to say it but in reality I've seen most photographers just go with option two. You're right, the monopod has a tendency to slip towards your body, so when I shoot this way I use my foot as leverage to block the monopod from sliding backwards. You should have to shift your body weight a little in this position to maintain your balance.
I feel like you will think thia is a joke but I'm a 14 year old who loves going to football games and baseball games. I really love taking photos when I go. I use the camera on my iphone 13 and it works awesome for me... do you have any tips on how i could get even better photos with my iphone?
Is that Vince Vaughn at 7:05 behind the glass???
Haha, great eye! That is indeed Vince Vaughn behind the glass!
as a hobbyist, I was astonished to see that pack of photographers in the pit. Is this normal? If so, how do any of those photographers stand out with their results? Are they usually taking the same pictures? Thanks
Pretty crazy right? That photo pit was an exaggerated example, as that was at an Olympic event (hard to imagine these days that many people crammed in a space right?). There are great photos to be made in that spot to be sure, but you're right, everybody is more or less looking at the same thing.
If you don’t mind a follow-up question, I’ve read that a lot of publications have cut a lot of their photographers. Given how expensive cameras and telephoto lenses are, what happens to the people who have been laid off? As just a hobbyist, I’m always amazed at the quality of the photos which professionals create, but I assume that the competition for professional opportunities must be quite intense now. What do the photographers do in order to make themselves stand out and presumably receive more paid opportunities? Those photographers in the pit would be in very difficult positions if they’re freelancers. Thanks.
Very good question. Unfortunately in my "short" 16 years, I've seen several staffers across different newspapers see their positions cut. Some go freelance back for news organizations, others branch out into corporate, wedding, or product photography. I've seen varying levels of success... some continue to do well and in some cases even better. Unfortunately, some do disappear from the industry completely.