Had a great time this weekend shooting my nephews’ football games.
Went with the Canon 7D and the Canon 70-200 2.8 IS L with the younger kids (as I was able to walk on the field and get pretty close, then I went with the Canon EF 400mm f/2.8L IS II USM at the stadium for the older kids because I wasn’t allowed on the sideline.
A few notes:
1. I found myself shooting most everything at 1/1000, 5.6-6.3
2. Nearly all the shots were landscape, just so much easier to track the action that way.
3. Like the 7D, 100-400mm best for shooting sports. Its hard to beat.
4. I thought the young guys looked so much more formidable when I tried to get close to the ground. They just looked bigger. (You can see from the examples below).
5. I was amazed no one else was out there with a professional lens. Seems there are several games a day, with at least 30-40 kids on each team. (I would estimate at least 200 kids easily). It would be so easy for a photographer to just shoot all day, hand out business cards and let people order online. I think someone could make $1000-1500 a day no problem doing it.
Here are my favorite shots:
Great pics !
Nice shots Michael… As far as shooting and passing out business cards, would you think it would be best to ask for permission?, specially when it involves kids? and you don’t have any relation to any of them?
The few I’ve done, kids and high school games, I’ve contacted the coach beforehand and the tournament director if I could. It’s amazing what a telephoto lens, monopod, camera vest, and a good Tilley hat can do for you. Wow factor points for strapping on a second camera body. They are looking for the ESPN truck and people are walking by you whispering to each other…"Shhh’ He’s getting ready to take a picture."
Would you be offering prints, or just the files?
I have thought about similar things, and wonder about the specifics. 🙂
Great shots. Did you say you shot in landscape instead of standard for the picture style?
Nick