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Advice on best shooting positions for pro soccer?
Zach Ornitz, Photographer
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Syracuse | Ny | USA | Posted: 4:32 PM on 05.28.10 |
->> Hi all,
So I've got to shoot a USA vs. Turkey exhibition tomorrow in Philly for my summer internship. I've shot plenty of high school and a bit of college soccer, but wouldn't say it's my bread and butter. I'm wondering if anybody in this community to specializes in fusbol might chime in as to where I should position myself? If y'all have any tips for capturing peak action on the ball or other things I should be looking for on the field, I'm all ears. Also, what are the general rules for ground remotes behind the net? I appreciate any solid input.
Cheers,
-Z |
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Aleksi Lepisto, Photographer
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Sacramento | CA | United States | Posted: 5:16 PM on 05.28.10 |
->> Great post, I'd like to know as well as what is good lens choice. I am going to shoot MLS soon.
I have heard people like to remote behind the net, and also on the top of the penalty box is another good spot. |
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Thomas E. Witte, Photographer, Photo Editor
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Cincinnati | OH | USA | Posted: 5:19 PM on 05.28.10 |
->> Specialize? No. Shot a ****-ton of it? Yes.
My personal favorite is actually about 5 yards up the sideline from the endline on the right side of the field. (majority of players are right footed and odds of getting them coming at you after a goal are greater.) However, there is a good chance you'll get tossed from that spot and forced to shoot from behind the endline.
If that's the case I've always liked shooting just outside of the goalbox. If the positions are far back and the net obstructs my view, I'll scoot over to the penalty box line. |
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Kelvin Ma, Photographer, Assistant
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Boston | MA | | Posted: 5:22 PM on 05.28.10 |
->> Your shooting positions will likely be limited. Think corners.
The game is real fluid, so action will be happening pretty much everywhere. Keep an eye on midfielders and strikers making runs, and try to anticipate the play as it develops. Just hold your breath when the ball goes in the air and pray you get something in focus. (At least that's my strategy).
For ground remotes, it's typically keep them from touching the net. Some places I've worked at have had interference, so I've had to mount my pocketwizard away from the camera.
I seriously doubt you'll be lacking in action, so have fun out there! |
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Francis Gardler, Photographer
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Athens | OH | USA | Posted: 5:31 PM on 05.28.10 |
->> Hello Zach,
If you have the chance today or tomorrow, do some research on both teams to learn who the stars are or who are the characters of the team (you know, the player who does somersaults when he scores a goal, etc.) Also, talk with your reporter and other journalists at the event to pick up information about the players and the team (the teams' formation might tell you where some of the action might take place, the direction the goalkeepers tends to go on a penalty kick, etc.) Go to the field early and walk around it and keep an eye out for clean backgrounds.
When the match begins observe the flow of the game. Does one team maintain possession more than the other or does the ball stay in one part of the field compared to the rest? Your ongoing personal evaluation of the game will help your coverage.
Photographer positions for the match will probably be controlled by the event promoter, but if you get the chance I've always liked spending some of my time perpendicular to the line of the six-yard line in front of the goal. Goalkeepers ususally come off their lines to deal with the ball and I've gotten lots of leaping/diving keeper shots with the ball from that position. In the case of a corner I like to focus on the keeper since he will go to the ball.
I hope this helps. |
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George Bridges, Photographer, Photo Editor
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Washington | DC | USA | Posted: 6:39 PM on 05.28.10 |
->> In these type of matches access is generally controlled and you are limited to the endlines.
From there you have to decide just how far toward the corner you want: farther out you get less blockage from the goal as you pan across the field but farther inside you may get more coming-at-you type action.
Like any sport it's a gamble. Pick you spot, be happy with it and make the best with what you are given. You can make a picture from any location and you will get blocked and miss pictures from any location. |
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David Shea, Photographer
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Riverside | CA | USA | Posted: 8:09 PM on 05.28.10 |
->> "Like any sport it's a gamble. Pick your spot, be happy with it and make the best with what you are given. You can make a picture from any location and you will get blocked and miss pictures from any location."
Some of the best advice I've seen on this board! |
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Thomas B. Shea, Photographer
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Pearland/Houston | TX | USA | Posted: 8:58 PM on 05.28.10 |
| ->> I have shot quite a bit of soccer the past few years. I get better access being the team or event photographer, but I find shooting from the stands is sometimes best because you get a clean background with the field as your clean background. If you have a chance set up remotes in both goals. Good luck. |
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Ron Scheffler, Photographer
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Hamilton (Toronto area) | Ontario | Canada | Posted: 9:31 PM on 05.28.10 |
->> Corners are the most desirable and tend to go the fastest. If you want one, or to be near a specific corner, get there early. Sometimes you have to sign up for a spot, other times it's first come, first served. Don't be surprised though if spots are already reserved for 'official photographers'. If you also want shots of the coach or team bench, then pick the closest corner, or on the same end so you can shoot diagonally across the field with a teleconverter. It should be possible to determine on which side the team will be positioned prior to the start by asking one of the media relations people if it's not already listed in the photo room.
If photo access is organized by FIFA, or based on their rules, then you won't be allowed anywhere along the sideline of the team benches and *maybe* up to the penalty kick line from each corner along the sideline opposite the team benches. Generally photographers are behind each end. There will probably be a team photo opportunity shortly before the game where officials will escort photographers to the middle of the sideline along the team benches. Often the team only poses as a group for a brief time, so be prepared to get the shot quickly. This might also be an opportunity to get head shots during the playing of the national anthem. Also, if it is FIFA organized, they may restrict field access until a certain time prior to the match. It might be 2 hours, but I don't remember exactly. It's quite possible you won't be allowed to stand and shoot and you'll be behind advertising boards which are too high to kneel behind, so bring something to sit on just in case benches or chairs are not supplied (though they should be).
Remotes shouldn't be a problem but be prepared for interference if you only have the four channel PWs. Better would be the PW Max. Sometimes there is a sign-up sheet where each photographer setting up a remote books a specific channel. If that doesn't exist, it would be a good idea to have a mini-meeting in the photographer's room to get that all sorted out. It's possible if you're remote set up is too tall that you'll be asked to reconfigure or remove it. For one FIFA event I wanted a slightly higher perspective and had the camera about a foot up, but they xnayed that and I had to bring it down to field level because it could be more easily seen in the TV shots of the net and potentially blocked the advertisement board (BS IMO)... and cameras have to be behind the net. Sometimes they will draw a reference line.
Also check on what their rules will be about switching ends at the half. Sometimes it's OK, sometimes not. You might want to do this if you're focusing on one team, though if it's a one sided game for the other team, much of the action might be at the other end.
I haven't been to LFF for many years, but if it's still a natural grass field, you'll have a nice time shooting action anywhere on the field. If it's FieldTurf, and a warm and/or sunny day, you might have problems with heat waves when shooting clear across, resulting in soft images. Not much you can do about that though (if it is fake turf)...
I just checked the US Soccer site and it looks like they are selling premium on the field spectator seating along the sideline opposite the team benches. My guess is photographers will be restricted to the ends.
Have fun! |
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Brandon Parry, Photographer
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Sherman Oaks | Ca. | U.S.A. | Posted: 1:10 AM on 05.29.10 |
| ->> 99% of games you'll be stuck on the endline, you should be able to switch at halftime. Like others have said I would try and get a corner spot as most goal celebrations end up in the corners. If you setup a remote and you see other remotes setup already I would suggest checking to see if a list is floating around with what channels are being used as poaching a remote is usually not a good idea. |
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David Minton, Student/Intern, Photographer
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Denton | TX | USA | Posted: 1:19 AM on 05.29.10 |
->> Ron touched on this: get something half-way comfortable to sit on. Remember, you'll be stuck in one place shooting for 45 minutes. Nothing will make worse soccer pictures then being distracted in the 41st minute because your feet or butt are asleep and that's all you can think about.
I recently picked up one of these after my previous camping stool gave out (weak fabric + too many Monster burritos = broken seating) and so far have been very happy with it. Really sturdy, the back lets you sit back a little and so takes a bit of load off your back and the carrying strap makes it a little easier to haul around.
GCI Quik-E-Seat http://www.gcioutdoor.com/quike.html
A quick Google found that Modell's in Philadelphia carries them and there are two stores relatively near Lincoln Financial Field. They're on opposite side of town depending on which way you're coming from. I'd give em a call in the AM to see if they actually have them.
2437 S. 24th Street Philadelphia, PA 19145, (215) 271-3573
or
15 Snyder Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19148, (215) 334-9540 |
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Rick Osentoski, Photographer
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Martin | OH | United States | Posted: 5:48 AM on 05.29.10 |
->> Zach,
I just shot the Women's game in Cleveland and they sold the premium seat there too so you most likely will be restricted to the end lines.
If the field is natural grass be careful about setting up your remote to early as they tend to water the field a hour to 45 min. before the match, just after warm ups, check with someone on the field.
Being as it is not a soccer specific stadium they may not have benches on the end line for you so a stool is a good idea, use it to mark your spot as it will be crowded. I find one that swivels is best.
When restricted to the end line I like to be between the penalty box and the corner a lot of action comes down the outside and you can still get the target player as the cross goes in. They will not allow you to change ends during the half.
Fans will be another photo opportunity to so look for the section with Sam's Army you can't miss them they will be loud and dressed for photos, you'll see. |
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Zach Ornitz, Photographer
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Syracuse | Ny | USA | Posted: 11:38 AM on 05.31.10 |
->> Hey All,
Thanks for all your feedback. The shoot went well enough. I'm still adjusting to shooting Canon instead of Nikon for the summer... focus, focus, focus. Anyhow, I really enjoyed shooting professional soccer. It's WAY more entertaining than high school and college ball. Now I wish I were going to World Cup.
Here's the link to a small group of images edited on deadline:
http://photos.nj.com/star-ledger/2010/05/1sp0530ussoccer_6.html |
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