How to get into "sports" photography.

[dyzio]

Someone on here said that the key to a good bike/race photo is the location of the photographer. Having visited a race track only a few times and the TT once, I've noticed how true that is.

Having found a nice spot to photograph from, I've always seen someone with a coloured bib and a "photo" description, standing where the rest of the spectators were not permitted.

How do you get to photograph on events and get "extra" access, anybody know?

[Richie]

women Hockey......... :0)
that is all......

[Paul the 6th]

I photographed Btcc @ donnington in 2006 - I know a journalist @ the Yorkshire post & asked him to write me a letter on headed Yorkshire post headed paper basically asking me to cover the event for one of their articles.

Sent the letter with my details on press pass application form to the address quoted on the website @ the time & went down. Had to wear a high viz jacket with media written on it. Pretty cool till you start having to do it regularly for a job & you have to deal with journalists who are ruder than hitler. (I could have quite happily rugby tackled one of the journo's).

What events are you wanting to get to buddy?

[keith_d]

Different tracks have different rules and some of the bigger ones charge a fee to cover their insurance costs. Most tracks publish the requirements on their websites, if not they will usually reply to a suitably worded e-mail. Worst one I've seen was 3 pieces of published work, letter from publisher and a £200 fee.

If you know any of the teams racing, it might be worth checking if you can get a press bib by 'working' for them. You give them free pictures in exchange for a letter asking you to take photos for them, and when they use them you tick that published work box.

[edit:] If you can write a newspaper article, phone and ask whether the team's local paper would be interested in one or more items. Either a one off, or a series following the team's progress complete with pictures. Be sure you agree a rate for your work too.

Keith.

[Littlepeahead]

This is my job, at Lord's it's down to my judgement if you get a pass or not so here are a few tips.

Amateur photographers giving out pics free to local press or anyone else is a big no no. You'll annoy the pros as it threatens them making a living and they will get you blocked for future events.

Instead write a nice letter to the media manager or whoever deals with accreditation stating you are a keen amateur photographer and can they allow you access on a less busy day.

Don't try to pretend you will be working for someone if you're not, be honest and say that you'd like a chance to photograph from a better position to improve your skills.

If that works then on the day check in with the photography manager. Ask for guidance on dos and donts.

If there are other pro snappers there then say hello, make sure they are aware you have a temporary pass and are not punting out your photos free to anybody but these are for your own personal use. You may even find a friendly one who will give you a few tips.

Be ultra polite to the staff and stewards, you can bet that the media manager will be checking up on you.

Afterwards write a thank you letter saying you had a good day, appreciated being given an opportunity etc and then include a few of your best photos.

That sets you up for a future request.

I went with Raving Mavis on a track day. Called ahead, explained Iwas there with a friend but as a cricket photographer would I be ok to bring my big lens along. The track manager gave me access to the top of one of the buildings where spectators were not normally allowed, and I got some super pics.

[Bluepete]

I went with Raving Mavis on a track day. Called ahead, explained Iwas there with a friend but as a cricket photographer would I be ok to bring my big lens along. The track manager gave me access to the top of one of the buildings where spectators were not normally allowed, and I got some super pics.

Big lens?

I'll show you mine if you show me yours :smt045

Pete ;)

[Littlepeahead]

Well when I say big, 200mm with 2 x extender Canon L series 2.8is. So not that big, but because it's grey the stewards know it's a decent bit of kit so ask who you are.

Everyone always thinks offering free pics is the way in. We've removed accreditation from 3 photographers already this year for doing it.

I guess it would be a bit like Sid and Rictus fixing bikes for free outside the Suzuki garage. Sure they have the tools and can do the job, but the mechanic in the dealer workshop isn't going to be too happy.

[dyzio]

Thanks for all the advice.

I'm well aware that my photography skills need practice before I could think about it more seriously (selling pictures and covering events), it's just something that downed on me when I saw where the press was standing at the TT and I just wished I could be there.
Other thing is, you're not in a group of spectators limiting your view and vice versa, I wished I could have been in the spots on the pics below.

Right now, it's something I'd like to do for my own satisfaction and improve my skills.

I'll post the TT pics later in the week.
Thanks again.


http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg40/scaled.php?server=40&filename=032ke.jpg&res=landing

http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg84/scaled.php?server=84&filename=201cs.jpg&res=landing

[keith_d]

After a few beers with my mates we talked about setting up our own sports agency, but with slightly different goals to the commercial agencies. Our aims were:

1) Get us all press accreditation for the sports we enjoy
2) Spend our weekends out taking photos
3) Sell enough photos to cover our costs, and buy a couple of big lenses

But in the sober light of morning, spending every weekend behind a camera didn't sound quite so attractive.

[dyzio]

But in the sober light of morning, spending every weekend behind a camera didn't sound quite so attractive.

Yeah, kinda ruins an event for you as you don't really get to see anything.

[Littlepeahead]

And getting passes then selling pics isn't easy. PA and Getty have got most sport covered. I have my photography pass for all cricket grounds but prefer to watch the game during time off. And editing is dull.

[keith_d]

Yeah, kinda ruins an event for you as you don't really get to see anything.

Yep, and you're out in all weathers, including weekends where you trek hundreds of miles to an event that gets cancelled. As a freelancer you don't have the backup of a well staffed office, so after the event you're rushing around trying to get pictures to editors/image banks. When you do, you're competing with some pretty slick organisations who delivered their pictures while you were still at the track.

Being a professional photographer is definitely a vocation, not a financial opportunity.

Just my thoughts,

Keith.

[DJFridge]

....and editing is dull.

Good grief, yes. On the odd occasions that I take the SLR to a horse show where our youngest is competing, it takes ages to sort out the two or three decent shots. Worse is if I take the camera to Hickstead. We're lucky enough to have access to a sponsors box which is one level up and I take pics of the show jumping. By the time I have taken pictures of every rider over every jump, with the motor drive giving me 6 or 8 images each time, it takes literally days to get it down to the 9 or 10 images that I'm really pleased with.