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|| SportsShooter.com: Member Message Board
First visit to a venue? Please Read!
Scott Rovak, Photographer
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St. Louis | MO | USA | Posted: 7:20 PM on 04.22.11 |
| ->> I know it has been discussed many times throughout the years here on SportsShooter, but I felt it needed to be revisited. When you go to a stadium, arena, etc. for the first time, please ask where you can find the house or team photographer, and ask what the guidelines are for what you can or can't do, and where you can or can't go. It should be common sense, but I am amazed how many times a photographer shows up to the ballpark and just heads to the photo positions and sets up their gear, sometimes even a remote, without asking if there are any rules or limitations. I've had to tell photographers that they have to move because television might need to turn towards the dugout and just because there is a small empty space, they think it's a photo position. Working with Rights Holders is not easy, especially when I have witnessed them putting up RF antennas and other sound gear in photo positions, or having talent and a producer sitting in the photo pit for the whole game just to do two 15 second on-air hits. I'm starting to rant, sorry for the length of this post, but basically checking with the local guy will save everyone a lot of headaches before the event even begins. And by the way, please don't show up wearing the brightest yellow rain coat possible and shoot directly across the diamond from me! |
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David Welker, Photographer, Student/Intern
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Springfield | MO | USA | Posted: 7:29 PM on 04.22.11 |
->> Scott,
Venting much? Did someone clash with that nice red background of fans at Busch Stadium today?
Well stated.. |
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Michael Fischer, Photographer
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Spencer | Ia | USA | Posted: 7:54 PM on 04.22.11 |
| ->> Good advice Scott. I always thought of it as being a visitor in someone's home.. |
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Tim Vizer, Photographer
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Belleville | IL | USA | Posted: 2:55 PM on 04.23.11 |
| ->> Absolutely proper procedure -- always check in with the team photographer to find out about shooting positions, any rules or regulations particular to the venue, and most importantly -- its just common courtesy and the professional way to do things. |
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Sam Morris, Photographer
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Henderson (Las Vegas) | NV | USA | Posted: 3:57 PM on 04.23.11 |
| ->> At first I thought maybe this should be taught in photo school, but then I realized it is something your mother should have taught you. Or maybe she did and you weren't listening. |
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George Bridges, Photographer, Photo Editor
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Washington | DC | USA | Posted: 10:45 PM on 04.23.11 |
->> Always check with the locals before you do anything.
Even though there may not be a written rule, every stadium has quirks such as "that's where Bill always sits, no one else takes that spot, ever" or "yes that looks like a comfortable stool to sit on, but you know, doing so blocks three other photographers because the pit is not really that deep" |
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Chuck Liddy, Photographer
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Durham | NC | USA | Posted: 12:37 AM on 04.24.11 |
| ->> I find the best policy is to walk in and say, "the pros from dover are here...get the hell out of our way". of course I get the shit kicked out of me a lot so NO ONE should take my advice. |
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David A. Cantor, Photographer, Photo Editor
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Chuck Liddy, Photographer
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Durham | NC | USA | Posted: 2:09 AM on 04.24.11 |
| ->> thank you mr. cantor, you are without a doubt a wise OLD sage. |
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Willis Glassgow, Photo Editor, Photographer
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Florence | SC | USA | Posted: 9:25 AM on 04.24.11 |
| ->> GREAT SCENE!!!!....Love it. |
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Jeff Gammons, Student/Intern, Photographer
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Niceville | Fl | USA | Posted: 1:57 PM on 04.24.11 |
| ->> That made my day. |
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Mark Loundy, Photo Editor
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San Jose | CA | USA | Posted: 2:53 PM on 04.24.11 |
->> I only work with people who want to know how I want my steak cooked.
--Mark |
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Andrew Richardson, Student/Intern, Photographer
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Houston | TX | USA | Posted: 3:27 PM on 04.24.11 |
| ->> Good post Scott. I will say that my first time in an arena I was more than a little lost since there didn't seem to be a copy of "First Pro Shoot for Dummies" lying around. I like to think that I used good 'ol common sense though and stayed out of the way and just took my shots and went home until I built a comfort level at the venue. That and asking the AP photog a few questions and I was good to go. I definitely see people acting downright brainless though, maybe that "sense" isn't quite as common as I thought... |
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Tim Vizer, Photographer
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Belleville | IL | USA | Posted: 10:11 AM on 04.26.11 |
| ->> And -- I should have included this in my first post -- the shooting position etiquette/decorum should also extend to the photo workroom, particularly related to what George says about "Mark the team photographer always sits there, and his assistant is next to him, the AP guy sits there, Getty sets up there," and so on and so forth. Its not all about it being a "pecking order", but besides people being creatures of habit, many times there are damn good logistical reasons why photographers set up where they do. |
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Jeff Brehm, Photographer, Photo Editor
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Salisbury | NC | USA | Posted: 12:09 PM on 04.26.11 |
->> In my good old days shooting Ohio State basketball at old St. John Arena, the big boys such as AP and the Columbus Dispatch had their choice spots -- in part, as Tim said, with good reason, because they had to run and file by halftime -- and the rest of us filled in around them and were civil with each other and shared when the plum spots came open.
Then the SID decided, after going to an NCAA tournament game, that he needed to assign spots and thou shalt not leave thy spot EVER. He also decided we needed to start wearing press passes the size of cutting boards. Those of us who protested this heavy-handed approach were rewarded with spots directly behind the post holding up the backboard (I never did find a filter that made that position workable).
It was only when the big boys starting swapping passes with us so we could use their vacated spaces that the SID backed off a little. That, and the patience and friendliness the established shooters showed to all of us, are more reasons why it is a very good idea to get to know them right away at new venues. |
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Scott Rovak, Photographer
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St. Louis | MO | USA | Posted: 12:45 PM on 05.02.11 |
| ->> I have been asked recently if a particular incident sparked this post. No, but twice this season I have seen photographers come to Busch Stadium and just go about their business without checking with any of the local photographers. Luckily we were not that crowded at the time so there wasn't any major problems, but it just made me feel that I should bring it to everyone's attention. As mentioned earlier, this seems to be common sense, but as we all know, times have changed. |
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Mark Sutton, Photographer
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Herndon | VA | USA | Posted: 2:20 PM on 05.02.11 |
| ->> Scott, did you approach this individual and try to point him/her in the right direction? |
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