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- Andy
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I really agonise about this. Being a bit methodical as a person, I like to have procedures and logic about things that I do, but there are so many variables in where to sit that it drives me bonkers with indecision sometimes.
I wrote up my current approach on my blog thingy, which I've pasted some of below, and I'm wondering what the rest of you guys do. Same thing, or do you have a different approach. Very interested in what you have to say on this as it's one of the most important considerations once you know how to use your cameras properly and have invested in a decent stool
...
* Do your research first. Whos playing and are there any important issues happening in the match. For example, a recent football match saw one player celebrating his 500th professional appearance. He was not in the starting lineup, and came on as a sub in the 2nd half. Knowing this was likely to get some coverage, and knowing that he was a forward, I made sure I was at the end hed be attacking to get some good shots of him, and the result was a nice half page in one of the national papers.
* Having done your research, and worked out that the top-of-the-table side is likely to beat the mid-table team, youll figure out that the goals will be at the end the top team are attacking. However, what if theres a massive upset thatll be more newsworthy so youd want to be at the other end. On the basis that most of the photographers will be at the goal the favourites are attacking, Ill often go to the other goal as Ive got nothing to lose. Its very difficult to make this call until you are at the ground due to some of the reasons that follow.
* At the ground, you know whos playing, and your research may mean that you want to shoot a specific player or type of incident, so that overrides what comes next and you position yourself accordingly. If theres no such imperative, I check out the layout of the ground, the position of the sun and the crowd, and try and work out the best angle. There are a number of factors to take into consideration and I try and balance the benefits of each:
o Where are you allowed to sit obvious really, but this is the first main restriction.
o The lighting ideally a dark stand in the background makes the players pop out more than a bright sunlit stand.
o The background crowd a solid crowd looks better than a load of empty seats.
o Where the away supporters sit an away team scorer will tend to run towards their own supporters when they score which is a crucial bit of knowledge for getting good celebration shots.
o Where the home players normally run to when they score they can be quite predictable.
o Where the team managers sit some nice screaming manager pictures are always useful.
o Where the substitutes warm up in rugby they often warm up behind the try line and get in your way. In football they warm up on the touchline closest to the dugouts so if youre on that side theyll get in your way too.
* The next thing to take into account is the position of the big agency photographers. Being one of the little guys working for a small but perfectly formed agency, its vitally important to try and get different shots to the ones they are getting to stand a chance of being published and earning some cash. Firstly Ill see which other photographers are at the game when I sign in, and then Ill sit as far away as possible from them whilst still retaining the best possible position.
* Do you change position at half time? Unless Im shooting a particular team or have specific directions, Ill see how the play is going in the first half and then decide whether to stay put or move at half time. Of course, some of the other photographers may move too, which brings back the big agency photographer positioning back into the equation.
* Is there going to be a big presentation to the winners after the game? Where will it be? How long will it take you to get your kit sorted and get over there to be in a good position? Is it worth shooting the 2nd half from close to that spot in order to get there first?
I wrote up my current approach on my blog thingy, which I've pasted some of below, and I'm wondering what the rest of you guys do. Same thing, or do you have a different approach. Very interested in what you have to say on this as it's one of the most important considerations once you know how to use your cameras properly and have invested in a decent stool
...* Do your research first. Whos playing and are there any important issues happening in the match. For example, a recent football match saw one player celebrating his 500th professional appearance. He was not in the starting lineup, and came on as a sub in the 2nd half. Knowing this was likely to get some coverage, and knowing that he was a forward, I made sure I was at the end hed be attacking to get some good shots of him, and the result was a nice half page in one of the national papers.
* Having done your research, and worked out that the top-of-the-table side is likely to beat the mid-table team, youll figure out that the goals will be at the end the top team are attacking. However, what if theres a massive upset thatll be more newsworthy so youd want to be at the other end. On the basis that most of the photographers will be at the goal the favourites are attacking, Ill often go to the other goal as Ive got nothing to lose. Its very difficult to make this call until you are at the ground due to some of the reasons that follow.
* At the ground, you know whos playing, and your research may mean that you want to shoot a specific player or type of incident, so that overrides what comes next and you position yourself accordingly. If theres no such imperative, I check out the layout of the ground, the position of the sun and the crowd, and try and work out the best angle. There are a number of factors to take into consideration and I try and balance the benefits of each:
o Where are you allowed to sit obvious really, but this is the first main restriction.
o The lighting ideally a dark stand in the background makes the players pop out more than a bright sunlit stand.
o The background crowd a solid crowd looks better than a load of empty seats.
o Where the away supporters sit an away team scorer will tend to run towards their own supporters when they score which is a crucial bit of knowledge for getting good celebration shots.
o Where the home players normally run to when they score they can be quite predictable.
o Where the team managers sit some nice screaming manager pictures are always useful.
o Where the substitutes warm up in rugby they often warm up behind the try line and get in your way. In football they warm up on the touchline closest to the dugouts so if youre on that side theyll get in your way too.
* The next thing to take into account is the position of the big agency photographers. Being one of the little guys working for a small but perfectly formed agency, its vitally important to try and get different shots to the ones they are getting to stand a chance of being published and earning some cash. Firstly Ill see which other photographers are at the game when I sign in, and then Ill sit as far away as possible from them whilst still retaining the best possible position.
* Do you change position at half time? Unless Im shooting a particular team or have specific directions, Ill see how the play is going in the first half and then decide whether to stay put or move at half time. Of course, some of the other photographers may move too, which brings back the big agency photographer positioning back into the equation.
* Is there going to be a big presentation to the winners after the game? Where will it be? How long will it take you to get your kit sorted and get over there to be in a good position? Is it worth shooting the 2nd half from close to that spot in order to get there first?
