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|| SportsShooter.com: Member Message Board
Who has shot Roller Derby??
Michael Martin, Photographer
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Denver | CO | USA | Posted: 4:17 PM on 03.17.10 |
| ->> I'm shooting my first flat track Roller Derby event this Friday night. What do I need to know? Shooting positions? Where Not to be? Etc etc. Thanks! |
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Chris Russick, Photographer, Assistant
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St. Petersburg | FL | USA | Posted: 4:42 PM on 03.17.10 |
| ->> There's lots of action in and out of corners because people are slowing down and packing up as well as accelerating out / whipping out. They're usually pretty dark / poorly lit. If they'll let you strobe it, it's worth it. I shot a few times from an announcer / DJ booth that was raised up at the apex of a corner. I was able to get the players coming into the corner easily with a wide and players coming out of the far corner with a zoom. I think I used a 70-200 and a 17-35 if I remember correctly. |
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Dominic Hanna, Photographer, Student/Intern
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Bear | DE | United States | Posted: 4:49 PM on 03.17.10 |
->> Usually the arenas they play in are incredibly dark, if you can set up an off camera flash, do it, it will help.
Shooting positions vary from team to team, one place had shooting positions just off on one of the turns. Another place I had free reign. If you can get track side, always keep an eye to your left, and be prepared to move fast when someone flies off the track(it WILL happen too). |
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Susánica Tam, Photographer, Assistant
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Glendale | CA | United States | Posted: 4:57 PM on 03.17.10 |
->> setup off camera flashes. shoot with a long lens. a lot of hitting will happen in the turns so position yourself accordingly.
-Mia More, LA Derby Dolls #M(k)4 |
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Timothy J. Gonzalez, Photographer
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Salem | OR | USA | Posted: 5:35 PM on 03.17.10 |
->> I have been following the team here in Salem since last year. I have found that shooting in the turns a good location. Go to WFTDA website to learn the basics of the sport. It possible set up lights. Attached is link of a bout I shout in Olympia, Wash. The locale was a skating rink with a low ceiling. Try as I might, I could not help but get a lot of flaring. BTW, I used four SB-24s with pocketwizards.
It is a very fun sport to shoot. The skaters are very dedicated, and the fans really get into it. Some bouts are wonderful spectacles.
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=188711&id=559258754 |
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Robert Scheer, Photographer
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Indianapolis | IN | USA | Posted: 6:43 PM on 03.17.10 |
->> Michael,
I'm the photographer for a local derby league, and have a couple of season's experience with it.
First thing, get a little familiarity with the rules (you can find online). The basic game is pretty easy to figure out. Mainly, you'll be shooting the girls skating around in a pack, then concentrating on the two girls with the stars on their helmets (the "jammers" who score the points) when they work through the pack of skaters. It's not the same roller derby everyone remembers from the 70s. There's no fighting, no alligator pits, and the bouts are competitive, not pre-scripted like WWE.
There are a WIDE variety of skill levels in the sport, so you may not see all the big hits you'd hope for. If it's top level derby, you'll be in luck. But, regardless, the girls (they usually call themselves that) will hit the track repeatedly.
Unless you have a well lit venue, and HIGH end gear, like D3s or MkIVs, you'll want to light it. Just check with the head referee and coaches first. Set your gear up first, then if they balk, fire it up to show them it's not that bad.
Each league/team usually has a resident photographer, so buddy up with him or her when you get there.
Normally, you can shoot anywhere trackside (outside of the referee lane), except for anywhere near the benches or penalty box (those will be marked off). Just be careful sitting in the "suicide seats," you may end up with a skater or two in your lap. The big hits normally happen going into corners, so the advice to sit near the apex of turns and have a body with a wide angle lens on is excellent. Otherwise, crowd, benches, wacky costumes, all the stuff you're used to shooting at sporting events.
Another shooting position is inside the middle, tucked in next to where the various scoring personnel are. It's not a fantastic spot to be because of all the clutter, but it's an unusual angle and worth a look. But, you'll need to clear that with the head referee before hand, and you can only scramble into/out of there during timeouts. If it's a lower level bout, your chances of getting access to that spot are better (have the resident photographer give you a primer on what to do and not do when you're in there). On rare occasion, the benches will be in the center, but you hardly ever see this.
Also, like any sporting event, shooting injuries is fine (they usually happen), just use good judgement.
No matter the score, at the end of the bout, the teams will take turns standing in a line at the edge of track so the other team can make a lap to slap everyone's hands (including crowd members). Be ready for this, it's a nice wide angle shot and happens immediately after the second half ends. They'll sign autographs for kids and stuff afterwards.
If you're a flickr member, there's a message board on there (search: roller derby), which will answer any other questions. |
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Eileen Blass, Photographer
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xxxxx | xx | USA | Posted: 7:46 PM on 03.17.10 |
| ->> Way to go, Robert, with the abundant advice for Michael. Classy guy, you :) |
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Sam Adams, Photographer
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Denver | CO | USA | Posted: 9:48 PM on 03.17.10 |
->> Hey Michael,
I shot my first roller derby just last month in Denver as well. You can see the shots on my member page.
Where are you shooting? Are you doing the Denver Roller Dolls or the Rocky Mountain Roller Derby?
I photographed the Rocky Mountain Roller Derby at the Fillmore. Feel free to contact me through my member page and I can try and answer any specific questions you may have about the venue if your at the Fillmore. |
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Robert Scheer, Photographer
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Indianapolis | IN | USA | Posted: 11:00 PM on 03.17.10 |
| ->> Thanks Eileen! Hope you had fun in Vancouver. |
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Michael Martin, Photographer
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Denver | CO | USA | Posted: 1:18 AM on 03.18.10 |
| ->> Thanks for all the info! |
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Ray Anderson, Photographer
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Anthony Sanson, Photographer
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Warsaw | IN | | Posted: 10:02 AM on 03.19.10 |
->> Robert - have any sample pics?
Love reading you column. I enjoy the real world point-of-view from such a great photographer as yourself. Keep the good work up.
Thanks! |
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Robert Scheer, Photographer
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Indianapolis | IN | USA | Posted: 6:52 AM on 03.20.10 |
->> Ray,
Cool stuff! Glad to see Humboldt (my alma mater) represented!
Anthony,
Hope you are well. My website is down now, but I house my derby images on flickr. Search for Junior Say-ow (even photographers get derby names). |
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