The TP "Official" guide to sports stadiums

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jamesb84

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Right then, inspired by this thread

http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=190538

I've thought we could have a thread to give plenty of details for those of us travelling "round the grounds" every week, details like...

- Lighting (average exposures under floodlights)
- Parking
- Food
- Hints and tips for good locations (or bad)
- Anything else you think of

I'll get us started...
 
Brand new stadium, opened this year and with the quality you'd expect of the newest stadium in the country.

Parking
If you apply in time there are spaces available in Section B of the main car park. Don't however, expect to turn up without first confirming...there won't be a pass, and there's not a lot else in the way of free parking nearby.

Lighting Levels
Simply stunning. The brightest I've ever seen. Typical settings are 1/640 at ISO500 and f/2.8 with the 1DmkII and 400 f/2.8. Even throughout, but there is a slight greeny-blue cast.

No LED advertising hoardings, so no colour cast from them.

Food and Facilities
It's a new stadium, so a nice large media suite with comfy chairs, tables and workstations. Plenty of power and wi-fi included. Wi-fi extends out to the pitch, but only on the side near the media room. Cardiff City provide hot food and drinks, but the Cardiff Blues (for one of the games I was there, were charging for drinks...not been back for another Magners League game since so I have no other info)

Locations/Shooting Spots. The perimeter concrete around the pitch is nice and close to the touchlines/trylines however, it is a triangular design, so you cant sit right up against it unless you find a free gap! These gaps fill up fast, so stake out early if you think it might be a problem. Other than that, nothing else to worry about with locations.

All in all, a very nice stadium, and not quite as intimidating as Ninian Park could be! Good facilities and now a much better day out! Plus, unlike Ninian the pitch is level!
 
Huddersfield Town - Galpharm stadium,

parking
There is limited parking for the press in the Town Avanue car park (really its a grass extension past the posh bit) I'd advise ringing to ensure a pass!. Entry to ground for media is either through the "Direct Golf UK" stands main door or a gate at the cinemas end of the stand.

lighting levels
The lighting is very good for the modern boys (ie D3's DIII's etc) but they very rarley put all the floodlights on unless the Tellys there! I am usually down to 1/400th & 1600 by the last 20 mins or so on a D2h & there's a green colour cast if shot on manual WB set at cloudy!

Food & Facilities
The media room is down in the bowls of the "direct Golf UK stand" it can be hard to find in a labyrinth of doors & corridoors!.
The room itself is very small & it can be a bit of a scrum finding a space to set up any laptops as power points are limited. WiFi is available but has a very narrow range & is hard to pick up from pitchside. Passwords are usually provided on flyers in the room.
Food is provided in the form of Pies which are red hot!, drinks are available in the form of coffee, Tea & Hot chocolate (arrive very early to bag the chocolate drinks as the reporters nick these for the Media part of the stand!).
Please note there are no programmes provided & only a team sheet is available from the Media section of the stand 20 mins before kick off!!

Locations/shooting spots
You are allowed to shoot from any spot as long as it's from behind the Advertising hoardings.
Huddersfield usually play towards the "Pink Link stand" (away supporters) if they win the toss, the sun is usually behind this stand which in deep Winter isn't a problem as the sun is low, but at the beginning of a season the light from the goal mouth to the edge of box is usually deep in shadow. If your shooting the Away teams attack at the "Fantastic Media stand" end at this time of year you'll be shooting directly into sunlight.!!
A small note to make is if you shoot level with the 25 yard line on the "Direct Golf UK Stand" side expect to have you view constantly blocked by Subs warming up in front of you. Kind regards Graham.
 
Parking

Providing its not a Live televised game you will be given a parking space next to the club shop, which makes life so so simple. If Sky are there then the rest of the press get dumped in the car park for a local school, its only across the road and maybe a 2-3 minute walk (If you've come from the M6 then you will need to drive past the ground and take the first right, once you see the railings on the right your there.

Lighting

You'll be looking at F/2.8 ISO 2500 and 1/640th 1/500th for a night game :| and there is about 1/2 stop difference running up the edge of the pitch opposite the dugouts.

Food & Facilities

As you approach the Main Stand, (with the large glass front and enterprise neon sign) the press entrance is on the left of the main reception. The press room is pretty small and spartan. You'll get a pie or sausage roll and if your lucky they'll even be hot :D

There are a reasonable number of power points and for the clubs WiFi network you'll need to get a password from the media department. Team sheets are a bit hit and miss and never come out at the same time although you'll get a matchday program with your bib and press pass.

When you exit the press room you need to go out of the main reception, turn left and walk around the corner, the press entrance is in the corner of the main stand and the Alan Kelly stand.

Shooting Locations

The "official line" is that only Action Images or other club representatives can shoot from behind the goals, anyone else is limited to the touchline along the new Invincibles Pavilion where the dugouts are located. No LED hoardings so no colour cast to worry about.
 
Parking

Update 17-10-10

There is now a club carpark for press, as you get to the ground from the M55 you will come to a set of lights with the Travelodge on your right, go straight across the junction and round past the club shop, if you flash your pass to the stewards you can park on the waste ground.

Lighting

You'll be looking at F/2.8 ISO 2500 and 1/640TH

Food & Facilities

With the "Temporary" stand in operation they now have a press room, with plenty of power sockets and work benches. No food but tea and coffee provided.

Club provide WiFi for the guys that could get it working it seemed to work well, i couldn't get it to connect :(

Its open house so you can sit anywhere except the technical area for the managers :). No LED boards so no colour cast. You can sit down both sides and behind either goal but its not recommended to sit down the sides of the "Temporary" stand (ask KIPAX)
 
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kieranmcmanus said:
Parking
Not sure about parking in the stadium carpark...I have always used street parking. Before you reach the stadium take the right down Smyth Road. There is plenty of parking around there but keep an eye out for any match day restrictions if any.
Click to expand...

Just to update, Bristol City Council have implemented some huge parking restrictions which has made Smyth Road and everywhere similar a nightmare!

As a result, the club have started offering free car parking in the stadium car park. I believe they're also using the e-accreditation thing from DataCo so you have to request car parking at that point! Failing that, try emailing their contact and see what he suggests.
 
Parking

Parking behing the western terrace in F car park must be applied for through the media dept (email me for details) If you wish for a quick getaway you need to leave 10 minutes before the hooter as the car park gates are shut to allow all spectators on foot to safely leave the area, dont forget to return your press vest first or you wont get in again

Lighting

Youre having a laugh, ISO 4000 will get you 1/500th to 1/320th in the corners with a slight yellow cast.

Food & Facilities

On parking you need to pick up your "pre booked" day pass from the ticket office on St Michaels Lane then use it to enbter the turnstiles with a bar code reader, once in the ground head towards your left and the Carnegie Stand where you sign in and out your press bib, then go into the Carnegie Cafe bar for a nice meal (show your pass) Press room in located at top of the seated stand in the middle of Z block near the halfway line, to the right there are progs and team sheets and a poor coffee machine, to the left is more for the match report writers etc with power points, no idea about WI FI as ive always wired from pitchside.

Shooting Locations

Before KO you can go anywhere, after KO you are restricted to behind the posts, the newish Carnegie Stand partly blocks out the lights at that end of the ground so the Western Terrace end is better, when game is televised you are most likely to be asked to surrender your in field position so the cameras have a good view from one corner to the other, you should get away with moving closer towards the posts, if you are asked to move you will be virtually shooting from in the crowd with just a small walkway between them and you.
 
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Can we add "connectivity" in there as well e.g. Wifi or 3G coverage.

edit: Oops it's in the "facilities" bit.

Great idea for a thread by the way.
 
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Parking

Media can apply for a car park pass when applying for accreditation. Parking is in the North car park by Gate D. Driving to Twickenham on a big match day is a nightmare. I recommend not doing it, or getting there early. Alternatively, motorbike parking is free, no pass required, and is also in the North car park right in front of Gate D.

Lighting

1/800th at ISO1250 at f/2.8 but they seem to have turned the lights down recently and I was at 1/500th at ISO2500 recently. Lighting is from the sides so when shooting from the ends the players can be in shadow.

Food & Facilities

Media nosh is provided in the Photographer's Room. Yes, there is a dedicated Photographer's Room. Food is usually sandwiches, and there is plenty of bottled water. Usual concessions stands all around the ground provide pretty good nosh too, if a bit pricey.

WiFi is via BT Openzone and coverage on the pitch is OK. For big games, 3G coverage can die due to load. There is wired LAN in the photographer's room but only for the big agencies.

Media passes are collected from reception at RFU HQ just opposite the stadium. You then need to go through Gate D where your bags will be searched and you'll get a little tag on each bag to confirm searching.

Bibs are collected in the photographer's room. First timers will get a tour of the stadium from Tracy or Tony. Bibs are location specific. Roaming bibs are available but limited and tend to go to the big agencies.

Shooting Locations

You'll be restricted by your bib location. Generally the best "standard" shots are obtained from the North or South ends. However, I like shooting from the sides quite often. You may be allowed to shoot one half from an end, and the other from a side. I usually choose the side with the tunnel and sub/manager benches as there's more going on there.

For team arrivals, it's good to get to the front main entrance with the big gates and golden lion statue. Team coaches arrive just outside and players walk in through a big crowd of people. Shooting from up on the stairs overlooking this area is quite cool.
 
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Parking

Whilst parking is plentiful, getting into the area of the ground and the car parks themselves is a nightmare on a busy day. The whole area can get blocked up, and getting away onto the M4 is particularly chocka. Best to park in one of the further away car parks and walk it. You cant park in the retail park nearby - they police it quite closely.

As usual, motorbikes can drive right up and park very close to the stadium, and getting in & out is much easier (y).

Lighting

1/500th at ISO2000 at f/2.8. Pretty stable and constant across the pitch. I'm guessing they may increase the lighting a big for the football.

Food and Facilities

You get your media pass from the reception area in one of the corners of the stadium. Cant remember which corner but it is signed. Go in there and the guy will check your name on a list and give you the pass. You then go back out, and into the stadium by knocking on the door (marked Media Entrance from memory) just to the right and around the corner from the turnstiles outside the reception area.

Then there's a photographer's room just to your right, where you can pick up your bib from a pile on the floor.

There may be some pies in the warmer. Often there is Guinness in the fridge. The pies go quickly.

WiFi is through Boingo. 3G coverage seems fine on O2.

Shooting Locations
Pretty unrestricted around the periphery of the pitch once you are pitchside except for the far side (in view of the TV cameras). Dont sit in front of the writing on the advertising signboards - sit at the join between them if possible. They generally like you to stay in place i.e not run up & down the touchline. I have wandered subtly on the near touchline in the past without getting shouted at.
 
As this thread is very useful for a lot of sports/media togs any chance of making it a sticky so we don't have to keep searching for it Mods! Please!:love:
 
Parking
You can apply for media parking but it isn't reserved and if you get there late there wont be any space for you even if you have reserved it. Also the media parking is basically in a bit of waste ground and you will get blocked in. Usually you can park in the multi-storey car park on King St (A411) just opposite to the entrance to Vicarage Rd. It's about a 10 min walk to the stadium from there.

Motorbikes can park right outside the stadium on Occupation Road (y) but they do close Vicarage Rd 45 mins or so before kick off and the same afterwards.

Lighting
1/640th at ISO2000 at f/2.8. Pretty patchy in the corners.

Food and Facilities
Saracens are sponsored by Dominos. Result!!! :clap:. Pizzas are delivered just before the final whistle to the media room. Get in there quick before the gannets descend.

Prior to the game there are often sandwiches and drinks available.

When arriving at the ground, there is a dedicated media entrance about 30 yards down Occupation Road. There will be a man on the gate who will check you off against his list. Then you're into the old part of the stadium (which incidentally is condemned so they cant use it for spectators, but it's fine for the media!). The media room is just down the terrace on the left where you'll find a fairly confined space where you can pick up your bib. There's also a press conference area with rows of seats.

WiFi is BT Openzone. 3G coverage is fine.

Shooting Locations
You can go anywhere on the periphery of the pitch on the "nearside" (referring to the TV camera positions) up to the goalposts. The north stand on your left (with the tunnel behind you) is often half full, with the other half being closed off. Quite a few togs climb into that stand and sit on the comfy seats rather than shooting pitchside. On that north side, you need to sit behind the ad boards where there is about a foot of space.

You can be pretty much anywhere on the sideline except directly in front of the sub benches and tunnel. On the south side, there's more space just dont sit in front of the writing on the sign boards.
 
Parking
Media are able to park for free in the parking area along Chertsey Rd to the west of the stadium. This is where the coaches also park. Note you can only get to it westbound along the A316 dual carriageway so if you are coming from the west you need to fight through the traffic to the roundabout with Whitton Rd then double back on yourself. It's about a 5 min walk to the stadium from that parking.

Traffic on a big match day isn't as bad as when there are 80,000 people at Twickenham, but can snarl up on the A316. The train station is fairly close, about a 10-15 min walk so is often a better option.

Unsurprisingly, motorbikes can park 10 yards from the entrance to the stadium and scythe through the queues on the A316 :naughty:.

Lighting
1/800th at ISO1250 at f/2.8 but has dimmed recently so you might be at ISO2000. Bit patchy in the corners.

Food & Facilities

On arrival, there will be a man on the main gate to the right of the turnstiles as you face the stadium after walking in from the A316. He should have your name. You'll need to present ID.

The media room is tiny and is on the left as you walk into reception under the west stand. There is often a selection of sandwiches on offer, Guinness occasionally in the fridge if the writers haven't already pocketed it all (ever noticed how wide the writers are?). You can get your bib in there, and teamsheets arrive in there as well around 30 mins before kickoff.

Wifi is free via the PremierRugby SSID. 3G coverage is good.

Shooting Positions
Anywhere on the nearside and end zones up to the level of the posts. Nothing on the far side. Do not sit in front of the wording on the ad hoardings as recently all the togs were moved to the corners and were very grumpy as a result.

Shooting from the sidelines is OK. They are also OK if a small number of togs (one or two) wander along the sidelines to follow the play.

Stands are usually pretty full so give you a good background.
 
Parking

None in the stadium, as it's right in the centre. Favourite tog spots are:
- Near the castle (Boulevard de Nantes)
- Sofia Gardens (my personal favourite)
- NCP near the station
- NCP near the Cardiff Indoor Arena
- (New one - but a long trek) St Davids 2 Shopping Centre. Cheaper than the rest (£7.20 a day elsewhere for Cardiff City Council car parks) but open late and you can combine a bit of shopping if you fancy!

My advice would be, if it's a big game...get there nice and early. Traffic in and out of Cardiff along the A48(M) can be a nightmare closer to KO.

Trains may be a better option, but be warned...they will be rammed full on big days, and the queues outside the station after the game are famed as being glacial.

Facilities
Well, media will enter the stadium near the Media Wales building (Gate 5). You'll get everything searched (inside if it's raining). You then go down to the reception desk there and get your pass.

Be prepared for a bit of exercise, the entrance is in the South-East corner of the ground, and you will have to walk along a corridor under the stands until you get around to mid-way along the West stand. There's a lot of fire doors, which are just the right size to get a Peli 1560 through without clouting everything in the process.

Media room is large, and with Wi-Fi provided by BT Openzone. It is not free! On big games (ie. Wales Rugby Ints) it has been known to be appallingly slow. The MS guys are aware of the problems and some criticisms from the big agencies. At the autumn Ints 2009 they had a BT tech there to try and "optimise" the Wi-Fi...it wasn't really successful.

Food is provided at Internationals, and is good hearty welsh fare (think Lamb Stew etc) with pudding served about 45mins before KO and hot drinks free.

Lighting
With the roof closed there is no natural light whatsoever, however the settings vary betwen ISO800 and ISO1000 w. 1/640 @ f/2.8. In the corners there is a little bit of drop-off, but I have been assured that there is a programme of lamp replacements due soon! Watch this space.

LED advertising WILL give you a colour cast!

Shooting Locations
Since the Rugby World Cup 07, Westgate PR (who run media for the MS) have retained the numbered seat system around the pitch. You're split into 4 zones, A-D. You will be assigned a seat by Westgate based on their idea about who you're covering (ie. French agencies will be lumped together at one end for Wales v France) and how many togs you're taking from 1 agency.

They're a proponent of the "buddy" system...if you need/want to swap ends then they ask you to find a friend who's at the other end and agree to swap! They will also come around prior to KO and tell you who's kicking in which direction.

No seating along the side, no going on the pitch (without a special pass - which usually go to the Official WRU tog and Getty Images) and back into your seats after the anthems.

Be warned, the LED adverts have been known to be varying heights...sometimes they are too high to sit behind, and you will have to stand (be warned - the fans behind you WILL give you stick for the full 80mins)

Also, from the Media Centre (in the West Stand on halfway) you need to go out onto the pitch through the "Dragons Mouth" which is in the North East corner. This means another long walk, through corridors, eventually down some stairs to level 1, through a car-park, past the falconry room and up through the dragons mouth. You may want to leave it a while between lunch and your long walk!
 
Parking
Free parking at Walton Street on production of press card.

Lighting
Quite good but can be slightly dark along the West Stand (dug out) side.I usually shoot about 1/640 @f2.8 2000ISO

Food
Access the photographers room via the Media centre in the West Stand. Plenty of free feed and tea/coffee. Cold drinks usually available on warmer days and soup in winter. TV also available.

Facilities
Excellent free wifi, no pitchside restrictions but watchout if they water the pitch before kick off!!!!
This is one of the friendliest stadiums I have been to.
 
Parking
Media can get free parking in the "Blue" car park which is on the little hill next to the stadium. You need to go through a few checkpoints to get there and wave some press ID.

However, the road in down through the industrial estate is a right nightmare, always extremely busy and with an inevitable tailback. Either get there early, or go on a motorbike which is as we all know by far the best mode of transport.

Lighting
OK lighting at about 1/640th at ISO1600 at f/2.8. A bit patchy in places. No stress for a 1DIII or a D3.

Food and Facilities
Collect your media pass from the little media window at the ticket office #2 to the right of the "Bucks New University Stand" (the stand you see when facing the stadium from the car park on the hill). The media window is at the far right of the back of the stand.

There is a small media suite under that stand. Occasionally there are pies.

Overall a nice friendly atmosphere.

Shooting Positions
Pretty much the same as all other Premier Rugby grounds - you can shoot from the sideline nearest the TV cameras, and around the end zones up to the goalposts. Dont obscure the advertising hoardings.

Note that there can be very cool sunsets there for some reason - the sun sets over the big Frank Adams stand - worth taking a wide angle.
 
Parking

Parking in around Croke Park is impossible due to it being in the middle of a residential area. There's parking in Clonliffe College which is about a 5 minute walk away and ample amount of parking spaces.

Lighting

Lighting is quite good in the ground. You shoot 1/800 ISO 1200 at 2.8 give or take.

Food and Facilities

The GAA, IRFU and FAI have different ways of laying on food and facilities. With the FAI you have a dressing room converted into a media room and sandwiches, tea/coffee available.

The IRFU have photographers cramped in another room on the Hogan Stand which spaces are very limited and results in a kitchen being converted into a media room. Food is normally top notch when the rugby boys are in town.

Shooting Locations

Photographers are placed on the Hill 16 end and Canal End. The IRFU assign you an end and then it's more or less a case of get there early to get the best spot. Thing about the IRFU is that they push you back an extra 25 yards so shooting with a 400mm is a minimum.

For the FAI you're actually on the grass as the GAA pitches are massive. Positioning is down to whichever end you prefer. Nobody is allowed on the sidelines, although when the big countries play, you might have no option but to sit on the sidelines behind the hoardings.
 
Parking
Non-existant for Press. I use the official carpark at Aston Leisure Centre which is about a 5 minute walk away. This season (2009/10) it's been £6 and is staffed throughout (read between the lines - there are nicer areas of the world)

Others use a number of car parks in the vicinity, they're all much the same price and listed on the Villa website.

Getting away after the game is a bit of a nightmare, however West Mids Police are used to it, and once you're away from the ground a bit it's fine.

Lighting
Pretty much standard for a Premier League ground. ISO1000 and 1/640 @f/2.8. The LED adverts are also very bright so i'm sure they add to the lighting levels a fair bit.

Facilities
Could not be friendlier. Enter the ground at the North Stand Staff Entrance. Sign in etc. The area directly behind with the wooden "phone booths" is the Photographers work area. The security guys have a TV which is usually showing the early kick-off game...always good if it involves another West Mids club! Sandwiches are "served" and coffee is available. There's also a toilet (with a large quantity of grafitti from other togs)

There is wi-fi available in the "photographers area" but it wont extend to the pitch. All networks are easily accesible, but remember it's a premiership game and the networks do have a tendancy to go into meltdown at half-time!

Locations
You are only limited by the Advert hoardings, which at the North end are really high (almost too high to sit behind). Other than that, watch your bags. You're not seperated from the fans and they will all gather at your feet during the warm-up. Nobody likes a chav walking off with your 400.

Live TV games sometimes dont like you being in front of the Doug Ellis Stand, but i've not come across that personally.
 
well, anyone else?, This thread should include Blue Square conference & equivialent grounds as well, as they are worth having info on too!, where to park & Shoot etc!!. Kind regards Graham.
 
Parking
No official car park but if your lucky you may find a space in the Metro carpark next door. Only £1 all day on Sundays.

Lighting
Not bad but darker along side of the dugout (Milburn stand).

Facilities
Press entrance is under the Milburn stand up the stairs. St James Park proberbly offer the best food second only to the Emerates (y)
Photographers usually gather in the wireroom which is accessed at the back of the press room.
Wifi is available but you will need a password.

Location

You can certainly sit on three sides but cant remember if its allowed on the dug out side as I've never tried.

Exiting St James is a nightmare as to reach the A1 you have to travel through the City centre. Not too bad if you wait until match traffic clears abit.
 
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can you remember what ISO you get there Graham? I should be doing a couple of Newcastle games in Feb
 
Havnt been for awhile but think it was about 1/500 @ISO 2000. Remember to get there early. If you cant get into the Metro carpark there is one behind a pub further down the road. I have parked in one accross the road but think its closed now.
 
Parking
Plenty of parking around the stadium but you will need a pass. If you dont have a pass there are plenty of commercial premises for about £5. I usually park in the same one as he gives me a receipt.

Lighting
Pretty crap for a newish stadium with plenty of orange lights that give an overall cast.
Facilities
Cant remember there being any wifi and if there was I didnt use it. Photographers gather in the wireroom which is two flights up. If your lucky you may get half a sandwich but they go quickly. Better food in the pressroom further down.

Location
Can only sit behind either goals and very close to the fans.
 
Parking
Free parking if you have a pass. If you get there early you can park free on the industrial estate accross the road which is nearer. Access into the stadium is through one of the exit gates near the press entrance (cant remember the gate number). Once signed in you have to walk the length of the main stand up one level of stairs (there is a lift) to the photographers room.

Lighting
I've never actually worked under lights there so not really sure.

Facilities
Photographers room a bit cramped. Sandwiches and soup in winter.

Location
I've only sat behind the goals here and think its restricted to that.
 
Parking
Street parking only. I always park across the road on an industrial estate but need to be there early. You can park on some privately owned waste land and the guy will nock a quid off the price if you show your press card.

Lighting
Fairly average about 1/500 @f2.8 ISO2000

Facilities
Sign in at the main entrance and be directed down to the press room. Pie & chips is not bad and free wifi.

Location
Can sit on three sides with dug out side restricted.Whatch out for the sun if shooting on sunny day.
 
Parking
Street parking only so need to get there early.

Lighting
Similar to Sheff Wed but I find slight redish cast.

Facilities
Sign in at press entrance under main Valad Stand. Two flights to press room but on big games maybe sent to wire room which is up another flight.Food is ok pie, pasty and peas. Sometimes sandwiches are available too.

Location
Three sides only with dug out restricted.Also restricted on one side of away end due to wheelchairs There is wifi available but need to obtain p[assword (I've never been able to get it working). Vodafone slow inside the stadium but flys once you get outside!
 
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snapzz said:
Parking
Street parking only so need to get there early.

Lighting
Similar to Sheff Wed but I find slight redish cast.

Facilities
Sign in at press entrance under main Valad Stand. Two flights to press room but on big games maybe sent to wire room which is up another flight.Food is ok pie, pasty and peas. Sometimes sandwiches are available too.

Location
Three sides only with dug out restricted.Also restricted on one side of away end due to wheelchairs There is wifi available but need to obtain p[assword (I've never been able to get it working). Vodafone slow inside the stadium but flys once you get outside!
Click to expand...

I would liketo add the WiFi doesn't work beyond the Media area in my experience either! Pass word needs confirming constantly!!. have to say I
had some lovely Stew on my visit!!. Kind regards Graham.
 
Parking
Situated behind the ground on the industrial section, flash a press card for stress free parking

Lighting
Not done a night game here

Facilities
Sign in at press entrance at the front of the ground accessible by going through the main car park and a mini alley way, entrance just to the right as you come out of here, free wifi with password supplied on wall of press room, photographers get the smaller of the two rooms for press. Pre match grub and hot drinks supplied -

Location
Sit either end - the end nearest to the entrance you will need to sit behind the advertising boards, the other end is two standing pits and if your shorter than 5 foot tall and you will need something to stand on to be able to see over the top.
 
Only ever attended for RL games so footy might be different

Parking

Free parking is plentyful on production of a pre applied for pass, failing that there is still quite a lot of paid parking but avoid the one which says "2 exits" as they block them both and you could be there until 11pm

Lighting

Absolutlky shocking for a major football club, ISO 3200 all the way with shutter speeds up to 1/500th at very best, dropping off into the corners, slight yellow cast. all these http://www.rlphotos.fotopic.net/c1661144.html were shot at Elland Rd at ISO 3200/4000 with the odd 6400

Facilities

Quite decent, from your car park head towards the press centre in the John Charles stand, up the steps and to your left, bags of hot food and sarnies, small but has plenty of "standing" tables, there is WI FI but i beleive you need a password, to enter the ground you need to go out again and turn right and enter the ground in the bottom corner where helpful stewards will let you know anything you need to.

Shooting location

When i was there it was behind the tryline only unless you had been issued a different coloured bib, remember though, this is for RL and footy might be different.

Be prepared for a long hard shoot, the fans are right on top of you and if you use a stool you will be blocking someones view and will be asked to sit on the cold concrete floor, the worst 2 hours ive ever spent covering any game ever.
 
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purpleclouds said:
Has anyone shot at St Andrews/Birmingham FC? Am there today.. :)
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Yep
Free parking just down the road on the industrial estate. You will need to flash a press card at the stewards ***'. Food is good in the press room and served about 1.30-2pm. Cant remember about any restrictions at pitchside and hav'nt shot under floodlights.
 
Fratton Park
snapper75 said:
Parking
Situated behind the ground on the industrial section, flash a press card for stress free parking

Lighting
Not done a night game here

Facilities
Sign in at press entrance at the front of the ground accessible by going through the main car park and a mini alley way, entrance just to the right as you come out of here, free wifi with password supplied on wall of press room, photographers get the smaller of the two rooms for press. Pre match grub and hot drinks supplied -

Location
Sit either end - the end nearest to the entrance you will need to sit behind the advertising boards, the other end is two standing pits and if your shorter than 5 foot tall and you will need something to stand on to be able to see over the top.
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Lighting
Used iso 1600 (limits of kit, don't like 3200) and various shutters, top was 500/640 but dark patches and edges kept me busy! Always thought these lights "pulsed" but after reading these posts, think that the led boards have a big effect. Anybody else?

Shooting
Either end, yep, but at the entrance end you can only shoot from the other side of the goal. Unless Getty or club tog (one and the same!)
Other end are pits. Yep undersized togs beware! There are 4 (if memory serves) pits that normally get used by snappers. They are concrete and flood so beware of the forcast!
 
Parking

I had a parking pass arranged for me, just printed and flashed to the stewards, no problems!

Lighting

Shooting comfortably at 1/800 - 1/640 @ f2.8, ISO2500. No LED advertising. Best shooting towards main stand as more lights opposite.

Facilities

There was a good sized press room, but with Manchester United visiting on my trip, there wasn't an inch of space as the world's media was there.. No idea about WiFi. O2 wouldn't pick up a decent signal inside the stadium (may be due to amount of other photographers), so could only wire from the car park after the game.

Some good looking hot nosh served up on one of the coldest nights ever, didn't manage to get any mind you...

Shooting location

I asked a steward where I could shoot from, 'anywhere you like' was his answer. The fan I was unlucky enough to get sat behind me thought different. Asked a steward to move me, only for him to get moved back a couple of rows (y)
 
purpleclouds said:
Parking

The fan I was unlucky enough to get sat behind me thought different. Asked a steward to move me, only for him to get moved back a couple of rows (y)
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I covered their last game in the prem the year they got relegated against Blackburn Rovers. I also had the same problem with a fan complaining he couldnt see until he realised I was connected to the internet watching the live scores. He was then my best friend until Reading & Fulham where both winning!
 
Parking
Fee in main carpark if you show your press card.The steward will probebly direct you to the rght hand side, just dont be in a hurry to leave at the end of the game.

Facilities
Sign in and collect pass at office in same car park. You'll then be directed to a gate for press access. Press room in just inside which is an external brick building with outside toilet! Food and drink is available but not always at the same time :shake:. Very good wifi with excellent coverage at pitchside.

Lighting
Lighting is suprisingly good but cant for the life of me remember what the setting were.

Location
You can sit anywere on two sides but not in front of home end. Its also allowed from one section in the stands on dugout side.
 
Parking
Free parking has been withdrawn since they were promoted to Championship.It is possible to park in one of the side streets or there is a big retail park nearby. Otherwise its £5!

Facilities
Check in in reception and receive your bib. Use the lift to 2nd floor and turn right for press room which is at the bottom. I believe for rugby they use a different room. Refreshments is only hot drinks and pork pies so maybe not kosher friendly! Wifi is available but requires a password.I have used it and when working runs well but found it a bit hit and miss at pitchside.

Lighting
Very good 1/640 @f2.8 ISO1250

Location
Only restriction is they dont like you on the pitch for managers shots.Just remember this is also a rugby pitch so you are quite far back if sat behind the goal. What out for ballboys too. They only seem to come and sit just before KO and usually right in front of you!
 
Parking
Free parking next to stadium by flashing the press pass. Walk around to other side and look for ticket window to sign in. Access is via the main entrance on same side then door which opens to tunnel area. Photographers room is just on right side under the stand.

Facilities
Not much really only hot drinks. Food is available at the end of the game which is left over pies & pasties but they go quick.

Lighting
This consists of about four candels on a stick! Really is very poor but have been told if they stay up this season there are plans to improve it. I usually shoot about 1/400 @2500 (sometimes I'll go to 3200) and adust levels in PS.

Location No restrictions but Glanford Park has a cinder track which floods. I've also lost a couple of ends of my monopod in there too! This season they have turfed part of the track behind the goals which helps. Also be careful of being a ball magnet and sliding boots as you are very close to the playing area. Always keep one eye on the game if working on your laptop (y)
 
snapzz said:
I covered their last game in the prem the year they got relegated against Blackburn Rovers. I also had the same problem with a fan complaining he couldnt see until he realised I was connected to the internet watching the live scores. He was then my best friend until Reading & Fulham where both winning!
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I did feel sorry for the guys sat in the front row but in all honesty, even if I wanted to move I couldn't, there wasn't an inch of space!

Even once he had been moved, he continued to moan about something or other.. and his grandkid spent more time looking back up towards the crowd rather than at the match :bonk:

The fans at Oakwell were the best.. one kid asked me for my autograph at half time :LOL:
 
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