Behind the Scenes at a Major Sports Shoot

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I’ve had a number of requests this year to go beyond just sharing my camera settings, and share a little more of the “behind the scenes experience” of shooting a major sporting event. So, two weeks ago when I got an opportunity to shoot a Major League Baseball game (Tampa Bay Rays vs. the Toronto Blue Jays), I kept my iPhone’s camera handy so I could chronicle some of the goings on for you, (though the image above, which I call “Steee-rike!” [notice the ball at his hip] was taken with my D3).

Getting Credentials
As anyone who has tried knows, getting credentials to shoot a major sporting event is hard, and getting harder every day. I shoot for a wire service, and thankfully they take care of the credentials for events I’m assigned to cover, but in other cases (like this one), it came through a “hook up” from someone I knew within the organization, but those are few and far between.

If you’re interested in this subject, check out my buddy Mike Ollivella’s Guest Post here on my blog about getting credentials and breaking into the shooting sports. It was a big hit, and Mike answers a lot of questions that other people hadn’t. (Here’s the link).

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The Bad News About Parking (and why you need to get there early)
The parking situation can be really dicey for photographers, because even though there is often a media parking lot, photo credentials don’t always come with a parking pass to enter this lot, and without that pass, you generally can’t talk your way in (I’d say the amount of parking passes I get is about 1 in 3).

This means that: (a) you’re going to be paying for parking, and (b) you’re going to be parking a decent distance from the stadium, and that means that you’ll be hauling all your gear quite a ways. If you don’t mind paying $20 or more, you can park somewhat nearer the stadium, and if you get there early enough, you’ll get a good spot in the lot. One reason you might want to consider this is that when the game is over (which could be at night), you’ll be walking these streets all alone, after nearly all the spectators have gone home, carrying thousands of dollars worth of camera gear, so I like to make that scary walk as short as possible.

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Getting there Early
I try to get to the stadium (field, court, arena, etc.), at least one hour before game time, if not earlier. I’ve never gotten there so early that I regretted it, because it takes a while to get from your car to where you’ll be shooting (and get through all the things I’m about to mention).

In some cases, they will mail you your credentials in advance, in some cases you can pick them up a day or two before the event in person (depending on the event), and sometimes you just have to pick them up on game day at the Media Center at the stadium. So, you have to get to the stadium, and then find out where the “Media Entrance” is (it’s not always obvious), and it’s been my experience that the media center is always on the opposite side of the stadium from where I parked. Also, rarely do the parking lot attendants know where the media entrance is, so it’s kind of pot luck on this.

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Once you find the media entrance, you go in, find the media registration table (shown above in iPhone photo), and pick up your credentials. Some venues have a lanyard so you can hang your pass around your neck, and some don’t, so make sure you bring a lanyard in your camera bag.

Also, for some sporting events, you’ll be issued a Photo Vest you have to wear while shooting, so security can easily identify photographers. You have to sign these vests out—they are registered to your name, and you must turn these in when you leave or they totally freak out on you.

Be Prepared to Have Your Gear Searched
They always have a security guard or police officer search your camera bag as you enter the stadium, so be prepared to hoist your gear up on a table, and open the bag for inspection. Once they peek around a bit (they are usually pretty quick about it), they put a colored tag on the bag to show that its been inspected.

The Media Center
Your first stop after you have your credentials and clear security, is usually the press room, or photographers room. These range from very nicely appointed, carpeted, air-conditioned comfortable lounges to bare bones solid concrete rooms with no windows, concrete floors, fold up tables, and bare fluorescent bulbs.

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Luckily, the Rays really treat the media right, and they had a really nice media center, with 50″ flat panel HDTVs all around, fully carpeted, lots of Air Conditioning, and plenty of room to relax and have a meal, but I can tell you—that’s not usually the case—it just depends on the venue.

Most have tables with power plugs, because a lot of us have to upload images while the event is either still underway, or we have to upload them immediately after the game. There is almost always free wireless, and the network name and password is usually posted right on the wall. The Rays had a nice Press Box upstairs as well for working Media.

Photographer Briefings
Depending on the sport, you may have to attend a mandatory photographer’s meeting. When I shoot motorsports, this has always been the case, and during these meetings they give you a safety briefing, let you know where you can and can’t shoot, go over the course rules, and they remind you in no uncertain terms that if you break the rules, they pull your credentials and escort you from the premises, so you don’t want to mess up and break a rule, even by accident, because they take safety very seriously.

The Situation on Food
Most of the venues I’ve been to do feed the photographers, which his another reason to get there early, because once the game starts, it’s hard to find time to grab a bite (and you run the risk of seeing the food run out, which I’ve seen happen by half time more than once).

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Above: They had a really nice Mexican buffet, which just shows what a great sense of humor they have, because essentially what they’re doing is filling you up with Mexican food, and then 15 minutes later they’re putting you all in very close quarters for three hours. What a gas!

Again, the amount and quality of the food ranges widely from venue to venue, but again, the Rays did it right (and certainly better than most). They had a Mexican buffet (shown above), then “make your own custom sandwich” bar (shown below—iPhone photo), and a full salad bar—plus all sorts of beverages—all free for the media. The food was quite good, and they had all the fixin’s and plenty of tables, but again, this isn’t always the case. Usually, the bigger and newer the venue, the nicer the media room (and the spread). I can’t imagine what the new Cowboy’s stadium media room is like.

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Above: Make your own sandwich bar, right next to a fully decked out salad bar. This is sports photographer food heaven, but they’re not all like this—trust me.

You will find some venues that actually have a grill, and they cook up everything from hamburgers, hot dogs, to pasta and Ruebens all on request, and all for free, so again, it just depends on the venue, but the good news is; they almost always provide some food for photographers on the house.

Storing Your Gear
At some point, you’re going to be out shooting, and your camera bag, and back-up gear is going to be somewhere else. Generally speaking, there is always some staff in the photographer’s room, so you don’t have to worry about a stranger wandering in and grabbing all your gear, but that’s not to say another photographer couldn’t slide a lens out of your bag. I haven’t heard of this happening, but I’d rather err on the side of safety, so I lock my bag, and then I use the built-in locking cable on my Think Tank bag to tether my camera bag to a table or steel bar, or something that can’t easily be moved.

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Above: That’s some of my gear on the floor of the Photo Pit. Everyone stacked their gear up at the back of the pit, but there was a security guy right there in the pit, so I didn’t sweat it too much.

At this game, you bring your camera bag right into the photo pits where we shoot, so you just drag it on in, get out your gear (as seen above—iPhone photo), and then zip it right up. It’s pretty much out in the open, but there’s a security guard in each pit, so I didn’t worry about tethering and locking my gear, and I had no problems whatsoever. Of course, you have to access each situation and then decide how much you need to protect your gear so you’ll feel comfortable (there’s nothing I hate worse than shooting in one location and worry about my other gear in another, so I usually keep things locked up).

This is What I Was Talking About….
….when I said to get there early, because it takes a long time to get from your car, to the stadium gate, through the media checkpoint, through security, over to grab a quick bite, to the photo bit, and then get all your gear out and ready to shoot.

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Above: Before game time, you’d better stake out your shooting space quick, or you’ll be fighting for air.

Where you can shoot
Because of the number of photographers shooting major sporting events, and for the safety of the photographers, they have to control where you’re allowed to shoot from. For American Style football games, there is a dotted line that surrounds the field (you probably haven’t even notice it before), but that is our “do not cross line!” Television crews can cross the line, but not photographers.

At NBA basketball games, there are sections at each end of the courts for photographers, and in some cases, on the sides as well. There’s a line in each section that you’re not allowed to cross (again, for your, and the player’s safety). For the Rays Game I was shooting, we had five places we could shoot from:

  1. A photo pit behind and to the left of home plate (one is seen above)
  2. A photo pit to the right of it
  3. At the end of the first-base dugout (sharing this spot with television cameras)
  4. At the end of the third-base dugout (TV cameras here, too)
  5. From up in the stands

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Above: Your home when you’re shooting from the crowded 1st base dugout. That’s my friend and ace sports photographer Andy Gregory “chimping” in the back left. He was desperately trying to get at least one shot in focus (totally kidding—Andy’s an awesome sport shooter, and he shared some tips with me during the game, as this is his “home field”).

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Above: Here’s a better shot of Andy. He’s smiling because one of the other photographers left his camera bag unlocked, and right before this photo was taken Andy shoved something in his front pocket. It looked like a 50mm f/1.4 but I’m not 100% certain. By the way, I’m totally kidding. It was a 10.5mm fisheye. Again, I kid. Andy didn’t steal anything but my shots (Come on, I’m on a roll, here!).

You’re allowed to change positions between innings and between half-innings only, because you actually have to walk on the playing field to get to the other photo pit locations. You’re sharing these photo pits with other photographers and often TV cameras, and in sports, television cameras are the priority, so you have to stay out of their way (just watch what happens if you don’t duck down and walk in front of a TV camera in the end zone during an NFL game).

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Above: Ahhhh, the glamor of shooting Big League sports. This is your home when you shoot from the 3rd base dugout. You do you best not to cream your head into that camera mounted above you, or on the cameraman to your left.

Because you’re sharing this space, there are three things to keep in mind here:

  1. Get there early so you can stake out a good vantage point. The best spots get staked our early, and at the very least the photographer marks his spot with a camera, gear bag, or seat (if they allow it).
  2. Be friendly and courteous to the other photographers in the pit. You’re in close quarters, and everybody is trying to get the shot for their employer, so keeping a calm, friendly attitude is important.
  3. Be especially kind and friendly to the security in the photo pits. They can either cut you some slack, or throw the book at you if you mess up, or bump heads with another photographer. They’re usually pretty good guys, so let them know you’re a good guy, and that you’re going to play by the rules, and if they do wind up having to correct you, they’ll do it in a nice way. I’ve seen security and even police threaten to toss a troublesome or pushy photographer from a game more than once. Also, just stay out of the way of TV cameras, and be nice to the camera men. They can make your life tough if you don’t give them a wide berth (plus, they are friends with the security crew).

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Above: Uploading from right within the photo pit. On more than one occasion I saw these guys playing World of Warcraft during the game (totally kidding—just a joke. It was Tetris). ;-)

Uploading Images
At this game, they allowed a few photographers to have their laptops right in the photo pit for uploading, but that’s not always the case. Normally, at halftime, or between innings, etc., you have to head to the photographer’s room to do your uploading. Same thing at the end of the game, when everybody is uploading from their laptops. Usually, this room is pretty near the field, but when you’re heading there, chances are you’re not alone, so be prepared for a very crowded room (I’ve been in these rooms where there are no tables, or no seats to be had—-you’re sitting on the floor with your laptop in your lap).

A lot of photographers pick their spot in this room early, put up their laptops, and then leave and go shoot the game. When I do this, I tether my laptop to the table itself with a Kensington steel cable lock designed to work with my MacBook Pro, so when I come back to that room at halftime or the end of the game, my MacBook Pro is actually still there. I am amazed at how few photographers do this, but I sure do.

In the media room (photographer’s room, etc.), they usually pass out stats from the game, with rosters, and lots of additional information that can be helpful with captioning (though I prepare my roster stuff before the game).

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Above: the view from the third base dugout, before game time.

Packing Up and Heading Out
Once you’re finished uploading, you’ll need to turn in your photo vest (if you were issued one. Make sure you DO NOT leave with that photo vest. It was checked out in your name, and they get mighty cranked if you leave with it, and won’t issue you another credential—you get kind of blacklisted, so be sure to turn it in before you leave).

Here’s where the bad parking space catches up with you. After shooting a three hour event, and running all over the place, rushing every single moment, you’re beat—especially if it’s an outdoor game (luckily for me, this Rays game was in a domed stadium). Now you have to pack up all your gear, and often you have to haul it up at least one or more flights of stairs (because of the way stadiums are designed), and then haul it all to your car and load it up. This is where parking up close really pays off, and at that moment, you’d pay that $20 close parking fee twice just not to have to walk four more blocks to your car.

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Above: Not an iPhone photo (for a change). By the way: the Rays trounced the Jays!

Behind the Scenes
Hope you guys enjoyed this behind-the-scenes look at shooting a major sporting event. I’ll try and answer any questions that I didn’t cover, so post any questions relating to this behind the scenes stuff and I’ll answer as many as I can as the day goes on.

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Above: I made this poster for the Rays organization, commemorating the shut-out. The image is of Carlos Pena heading to the dugout after hitting a Grand Slam!!! I usually don’t throw effects on Sports photos, but the excited looks on the fans faces made me give it a try, and I liked how it came out, so I left it there. There’s a great view of the Photo Pit there, too!

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71 comments
    1. Ken …
      I read Scott’s blog quite often … and notice your are the keen kid in class 90% of the time, being the first person to post a comment on Scott’s entries.

      Now … I look at the time stamp, and it says 1:42 am. ?!?!?

      Do you not sleep? Or do you work at night?

      I know Scott doesn’t sleep. ;) So I could understand him posting in the middle of the night. LOL.

      Just wondering and not trying to slag you.

      Dean

      1. Dean, I was wondering if anyone would ever notice. It takes a lot of crack to stay up like I do……..actually I usually don’t get home till midnight from my paying business then I stay up till 2am then back up early. Like Rick Sammon says ” I can sleep when I’m dead”!

  1. Very good post Scott, you are correct when it come to security. I shoot a-lot at The University Of Delaware and the Security team does a great job with searching the photographers Bags, so Being Prepared to Have Your Gear Searched is very true.

    Notwithstanding Be friendly and courteous to the other photographers? Scott i have yet come across other photographers who courteous, shame on them. However you also made an excellent point about them usually pass out stats from the game, with rosters, and additional information that can be helpful with captioning, I personal down the rosters before hand or once I get the venue i’ll request a stat sheet at half & after a game. Most of the time if you ask. They will give you a stat sheet from the game.

    If ever shooting up in the Philadelphia area maybe i see you on the field.

    Once again excellent post.

  2. Great post Scott, about them TV cameras they normally have a guy with a steadicam and a assistant holding the microwave transmitter. The guy with the microwave transmitter has a habit of blocking your shot. I always find out there name, so you can shout get out the way ****** (name) after a while they look over there shoulder.

    Folding stools/steps are a blessing something to sit on, something to step on. I also pack carpet layers knee pads as on some games you have to crouch, squat and kneel on the grass. Water bottles are another essential as is dressing lightly and have a spare t shirt in your bag. You become a right mess after.

    About getting your bag searched I hate it, if its something who looks heavy handed, its scarey, imagine the fun my giotto pocket rocket causes. Cos it does look a little bomby.

    Keep an eye on the time, ten minutes prior to the end of game, my cameras are set up as so. d3 400 mm d3 12-24 mm d70 70-300mm, why three cameras?

    Close ups, long shots, and a back up cos something will come in shot that you need. I also carry out something that McNally does, shoot details, hats, team wear as much as possible before the game. Also shoot the fans, as the game goes on I have another major tip. Set your camera clock up correctly then each score shoot the scoreboard. That way you have the time each point was scored.

    We had a streaker at a rugby game it was nearly half time, one phot got the shot as everyone was changing memory cards. This was the time 1 gb was big as you go.

    Be nice to the other phots it pays off, a major Newspaper phot camera went tits up, I and others shared images with him so he had something to wire back. Next game he leant me a 600mm lens for a shot that I needed. I have never had a problem with other phots. But I am in the UK and it possibly we are politer.

    As for walking with all that kit, I use a fold up trolley with a rape alarm to hand and a cell phone predialled with 999. I also talk to the coppers on route back to car just to let them know I have 25 grand of kit and keep an eye out for us. On one occasison on a job in London I got a lift in a police car back. Turns out he was an amateur phot.

    Sports photography is the hardest work ever.

      1. Cos your client expects you to have the shot he has seen on telly that won the game. The pressure is really on and your client does not accept excuses.

        And for your interest, I have worked in a force 8 gale in the south atlantic, and I would love to get some mine shots. What I really meant to say is that you work your dogs cahunas off at a game. The game might last 90 minutes but you had your game head on a hour and half prior and a hour half post.

        For me the one fingered typist having to write copy as well is hard work. No disrespect to people who do manual work in dangerous places.

  3. Great behind the scenes post! Another tip – I shoot with a Canon 1D with the file naming option. I score the games I shoot (when I have room to have a small notebook with me) and change the filename prefix each inning. 1ST_, 2ND_, etc. to make it easier to know the inning/play when captioning. If this isn’t an option, shoot a photo of the scoreboard at the start of each inning.

  4. Two things about your fist photo, the one taken with your D3… It looks like a composite to my eye: a) the ball is behind the batter, and b) the catcher is about to miss it, with his mitt down low while the ball is at waist level, in the strike zone. Plus, the catcher’s mitt is facing down, like he’s already caught the ball. Am I missing something?

    1. Hi Ron:
      I hate to pull the plug on your conspiracy theory, but there’s no compositing going on there whatsoever. I’m sure a dozen other photographers there that night got the exact same shot. In fact, I saw one guy shooting that same angle from a grassy knoll. ;-)

      -Scott

      1. Well, who was pitching? Because he’s got a killer curve ball… But I’ll take a closer look at it. Thanks for the feedback. BTW, I was there on the grassy knoll that day…

        rc

      2. Look closely at the dirt splatter right behind the batter’s right foot. He fouled it off….it hit the ground, and bounced up to his right side…

      3. Thanks, Randy. You’re right. And it looks like the ball bounced up between the batter’s legs. Close play…

  5. I don’t understand how, in the photo called Steee-rike, this could happen. The batter is all the way through his swing, and judging from his arm and foot position he must be a righty. Yet the ball is traveling to the LEFT of his batting position. Could it be that he’s such a bad hitter that he swung at a ball that is so far out of the strike zone? Glad he’s not on the New York Yankees!

  6. To me, Steee-rike looks like a foul ball. Notice the dirt kicked up between the batter’s legs. It looks like the ball was fouled behind the batter’s left leg and bounced between his legs as to wind up behind the batter. Just my guess. Thanks for the great articles.

  7. Great post. Ever consider writing books for a living? Ha! Every time I’m at a game, I just point out to my girlfriend which lens I want for my next birthday. Hopefully, I’ll get a chance to shoot some sports in my life. How many images did you capture during the game?

    1. Hi Tom:
      I think I only took around 800 or so images during the game, which is low, but it wasn’t an action-packed game. No stolen bases, no wild plays—pretty much pop-flies and grand slams with the bases loaded.

      I did a LOT of deleting in camera during the down times between batters and innings. Nothing more boring than 46 shots of a batter who winds up getting walked. ;-)

      -Scott

      1. Thanks for the reply. After watching our local Dayton Dragons (Reds affiliated A-club) lose yesterday, I imagine there aren’t many shots to be had some days.

        It could just imagine waiting when Derek Jeter is up to bat between his routine between pitches and fouling off pitches numerous times.

        The only sport I’ve shot so far is a gymnastics meet with 600 girls over two days which turned out to be about 18,000 photos.

  8. Hi Scott,

    Very informative post! You mentioned that you applied an “effect” to the image on the poster, but didn’t explain what the effect was. Any effects in the second to last photo of the player jogging off the field?

    Trev J.

  9. Scott, appreciate the insight into the process. I actually was able to recently get a media pass for a local semi-pro (USL) soccer team just by sending an email with links to my work, a couple of references, and a friendly inquiry. Just to show it’s not always who you know, but how you ask.
    Plus, I used tips from a previous post of yours to get shots they were very pleased with { http://chrisowensphoto.zenfolio.com/kickers }, and they ended up giving me a season-long media pass with an invitation to come back often. Thanks to you for that!

    1. Hi Ryan:
      Normally I take two camera bodies, and shoot with two during the game (but since my gear was so close here, I just primarily shot my D3 with the 200-400mm lens on a Monopod).

      If I’m shooting outdoors, I always take a Hoodman Loupe (so I can actually see what’s on my Monitor), and if it’s a sport where I can take a fold-up chair (like Soccer or Basketball), I take one of those. If it’s a sport where I’ll be kneeling a lot (like American Football), then I take Knee Pads.

      I keep an Epson P-7000 for on-site back-up most of the time, but that’s being replaced by my iPad here shortly. I usually take my 70-200mm as a secondary lens, and often times at least one wide angle (usually my 14-24mm), and a 10.5mm Fisheye.

      I use a Black Rapid strap for my second camera (the one not on the Monopod) so it’s ready to shoot at a moment’s notice.

      Hope that helps. :)

      -Scott

      1. Helps alot for me as well! Thanks Scott! Along the same note you said you were switching to the iPad soon? Do you trust the iPad HDD as a primary backup or do you still keep several cards handy so you have 2 copies?

  10. Hey Scott,
    Excellent Post. Yes it is tough to get passes, but thanks to another of your fans, I get a NASCAR pass in which I am very excited about. I’m almost as stoked about that as I am the upcoming PhotoshopWorld and the PreCon with Moose and Joe.
    See ya late August,
    Mike aka Bucket Man!

  11. Scott, the shooting pits at MLB and floor space at basketball look like they can be pretty tight. Do you ever find that there is just no space from which to shoot because other photogs are already there? If so, do you just go to another location elsewhere? Or elbow your way into a spot? Remind those near you that you just ate double helpings of the Mexican food buffet? Or is the limit on creds enough to keep that from happening?

    1. Hi Jeff:
      This game wasn’t a biggie, so the only one that was really crowded was the left side pit, because at the beginning of the game the sports wire guys like to get the starting pitcher. If things get to crowded, your only option is to try and squeeze your way in, or move to a different area. Luckily, there were four or five different places to shoot from, so it really wasn’t a problem.

      Had this been a playoff game, I cannot imagine how crowded it would be, but I can tell you this—you’d have to pick a spot and camp there the entire game.

      -Scott

  12. I really enjoyed this, beinga huge Rays fan. Glad they treat you well. I would love to know who the batter is in the photo you’re all discussing, as I am blind. I really enjoyed ya’ll talking about the shot so I could picture it. ;)

  13. Thanks for the insight Scott. I shoot for a semi-pro baseball team, and I can relate to a lot of your comments. I was most interested to see the poster you gave back to the Rays. I do this with a lot of my clients and it is a GREAT way to say thanks and keep your name in front of them. And one question – it sounds like you were not on assignment, so what can you do with the photos you took, keeping in mind copyrights, etc?
    Thanks
    Michael Gauthier

  14. Hey Scott looking at the first opening shot of the batter, it looks like he is a right handed batter who has finished his swing at a ball that was behind his back or was he trying to get away from the back if that pitch was in the strike zone it would have to have been on the other side of him or am I missing something?

  15. Great post. You seem to end up with some very exciting chance opportunities.
    Keep up the good work. I hope to see you at Vegas Photoshop World too.
    I didn’t notice any photogs wearing their vests.
    Terry

  16. I really need Arizona to beat the Yankees for three days, and then they can go on losing.

    Wait, I feel bad hijaking comments and turning this into a baseball thread. ;)

    Back to photography. Nice, um, camera.

  17. Very nice piece Scott… thanks for sharing this! I was at the Red Sox/Dodgers game on Saturday and sat right behind the photogs well (with my gear also). I noticed a couple guys with what looked like Pocket Wizards on their D3’s. I couldn’t figure out why as I did not see any flash or the such from near home plate. What are they using these for?

    1. Hi Ron:
      They’re using remote cameras, and triggering them with a Pocket Wizard (we do the same thing here at NAPP HQ). There was a photographer at the Rays game triggering a remote with a Pocket Wizard as well.

      Hope that helps. :)

      S.

  18. Geez now that sounds alot like hard work; shooting sports clearly has to be one heck of a passion or good earner to want to go through all that :)

    Scott, that’s one heck of a detailed ‘Behind the Scenes’ post so thanks for taking the time and sharing it with those of us who aren’t sports shooters and never really would get to know what goes on otherwise.

    Cheers,
    Glyn

    ps> I’m still shuddering at the thought of walking, all alone with bags full of camera gear…not nice!

  19. a lot of great advice in this post, but as a news photog, there’s nothing I could stress more than be on good terms with security and the tv crew. can’t even count the number of times security guys saved my ass while going out for a smoke trough a exit-only door (passes over here have a bar-code, and security checks you in and out every time trough the door, and obviously there wasn’t a security guy on the door that wasn’t really in use), or getting my “money shot” by doing something that wasn’t really legal, but managed to clear it with the camera crew or with the security.

    Once I even managed to convince the steadicam guy to piggy-back my 400D on top of his camera and remote shot it from my spot… and trust me, when you lug a steadicam around for three or four hours, those two kilos become an issue.

    one thing I like about not being in the states is that I have never seen anybody lock a bag or wire a laptop to a table… Not that we leave bags in unattended in public spaces, but in the pit or in the media room, there is no way anyone would touch it… also, coming back to “be good to the security guys” advice, one of them usually watches my gear until I fetch my car and come around for it… it’s just unimaginable that someone would lift my gear.

    cheers

  20. Great post Scott, thanks so much!! I was also wondering, do some of the other photogs recognize you at these events from your books/websites? I gotta believe you occasionally get the young groupie type coming up to you in the pit “Hey you’re Scott Kelby!”. Just a thought.

  21. Scott – That was a trip down memory lane for me. Never spent any time in the pits, but I spent many nights in the Rays media room and press box as the Royals PR Director. Not the best food room in the League, but some of the best PR guys in the business.

    I have one question, when shooting sports, do you have any tips to mark/tag key photos to find them quickly during the processing stage? You can obviously lock/protect the images in camera, but it doesn’t translate once in Lightroom. Would love to hear your thoughts.

    Thanks!

  22. Very nice information. Great deal of write-up to be ready for such games. I am sure be it a big or a small game all the points mentioned are always worth to keep them in mind.

    Always like your style of writing with little joke or two in it.

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