OK, I am super psyched because tonight I’ll be shooting on the sidelines at the Monday Night Football Game between the Indianapolis Colts and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa.
Monday Night Football is a grand sports tradition here in the USA, and it’s broadcast nationwide (as its the only pro football game that airs on Monday night—-all the rest play on Sunday), and I know a lot of you will be watching, so I thought I would create this handy “Scott Spotting Guide” just in case I get creamed by a receiver (or if Josh Freeman breaks my monopod). ;-)
Brad Has Re-Pimped Out my Monopod
To make “Scott Spotting” easier, Brad has removed the red flames tape and replaced it with bright yellow tape around the top section of my monopod, so if I show up on camera (which I do from time to time), you’ll be able to see that it’s me. Oh but there’s more…
Adding a Colorful Ballcap
I went to my closet to find a colorful ball cap to help make me easier to spot, but as you can see in this iPhone photo, apparently all I have is black ball caps. So, I went to the mall and picked up the red ballcap you see in the photo at the top of the page at a Sporting Goods store. So, red ballcap and yellow monopod. I’ll look like a small firetruck with a 400mm lens.
Where I’m likely to be on the field:
I generally shoot from these two areas:
(1) The End Zone (there’s less chance of refs, the chain gang, video crews, and the guy with the giant blue parabolic mic walking in front of your shot)
(2) Between the 15 yard line and the goal line.
I also go out on the field immediately after the game to grab a few close-up shots of players celebrating / agonizing at center field. I’d be shooting something more wide angle at this point.
Let’s make it interesting
The first three people who taks a photo of their TV Screen where you can see me, and post it either to my Facebook page (link), Tweets me with the photo (link), or posts it to my Google+ page (link) gets a signed copy of my new book, “Light it, Shoot it, Retouch it.”
However…
If I get flattened by a player during the game, the first person to visit me in the hospital (besides my wife), gets my entire CS5 Photoshop and Photography book library. I’m hoping we don’t have a winner for this one.
Can’t wait to share the shots with you guys tomorrow (provided I get any decent ones). Have a great Monday, and we’ll see you tonight. Well, you know what I mean. :)
Scott…..
This is all sounding eerily familiar. Watch out for sliding QBs!
Kev, a first, you beat me! I guess being at Adobe Max in California has it’s advantage. ;)
I’ll be watching for the 2 flying Gitzo pieces. 8-)
Sweet! I’m all about the tweets.
You got that breakaway monopod yet?
You’ve got a flak jacket, right?
Good luck Scott!
Too bad they don’t air the NFL here in Germany :-/
I also hope no one needs to go to any hospital to see you hehehehehehehe If you see them coming, RUN!
Go Bucs!! (You’ll have a great game to capture Scott — at least you won’t have to worry about getting ejected from the “Colt’s Endzone” since the game is in Tampa).
What? No yellow tape on the lens hood? That would help. Have fun tonight!
Hopefully none of the players is interested in photography, reads your blog and is in need of some books!
I can’t afford to pay for ESPN in order to watch Football on Monday nights, because I’ve spent too much money on photo gear, photoshop, the NAPP and Scott Kelby books.
At least you have your priorities right. :)
Hey Scott good luck for the game tonight. I hope you get a chance to read this, so you can respond. When you post your photos and some info for your blog after the game shoot. Could you give us some technical info on some of the photos that will be posted as to your settings, like which metering (matrix or cnter weighted), focus points (9, 21, or 51 and tracking) and where are you focusing on? It will help some of us little people to get a better grip on things as how to approach shooting sports or football. Also if you’re using a VR lens should that be on? Not one person out in the web world actually informs us, the public this info.
Will they allow you to wear an Under Armour logo cap on the sidelines?
I’ll be on the lookout, Scott, as one of your faithful spotters.
FYI, Ben Willmore’s rocking the house in Boston today with his Photography / Photoshop seminar. Lots of great info!
–John
It’s great to see a long-standing pro this excited about a job! lol
I’m sure you’ll come up with some great shots as usual! I’ll watch for you!
Sure would like to have a Gitzo hat like that. Where can I find one?
Scott,
You shouldn’t worry about injury.
Rodgers played yesterday. Oh, they won, BTW. ;-)
– Kev
Seems like all the comments are coming through as RSS feeds. My Google Reader is getting dozens.
Same here. omg.. cant even find the posts anymore :( My google reader is totally swamped with comments.
Hey Scott,
I saw you just now as the Bucs took the lead Blount’s TD with 3:15 plus left. I hope that pic of the TD is a clear one. I would love to see it. My wife is really excited. :)
See ya,
Mike
All you did was swap heads with your Scott spotting guide from January! I’m shocked! Well, I guess I shouldn’t given your Photoshop guru status.
I was at the game, and took a picture of Scott in the middle of a group of cheerleaders! Well played Scott!