College Football Photography: My Process For Covering A Game

Summary

In this video, the creator shares behind-the-scenes insights from their first football game as a photographer. They discuss the equipment used, such as the Canon R6 with various lenses, and techniques for capturing key moments, including player reactions, team huddles, and game action shots. The photographer emphasizes the importance of preparation, positioning, and timing, as well as post-processing techniques like noise reduction. They also highlight the challenges of shooting in dark stadiums and balancing video and photo responsibilities. The video concludes with an update on future coverage and upcoming games, offering a glimpse into the creator's sports photography process.

Takeaways

• 😀 Always capture pre-game shots, including senior photos, team huddles, and coaches' pep talks for comprehensive coverage.
• 😀 Use a 24-70mm lens for wide shots during warm-ups and pre-game moments.
• 😀 Start the game with a longer lens, like the 300mm f/2.8, for better reach and capturing distant action.
• 😀 Stay ahead of the offensive line to get players running toward you or making catches in front of you.
• 😀 Line up with the defensive line when shooting defense to capture tackles, sacks, and action in real-time.
• 😀 Non-action shots of players—like those walking off the field or standing in the huddle—can be useful for awards or team promos.
• 😀 Switch to a 70-200mm lens when the 300mm becomes too heavy, offering more flexibility and sharpness for closer shots.
• 😀 Keep your shutter speed high (around 1/1250th of a second) to freeze action during the game.
• 😀 Adjust your aperture to f/4 on sunny days for greater depth of field, especially for group shots or tackles.
• 😀 Use AI denoising tools in Lightroom to clean up high-ISO images, ensuring clear, sharp results for print or wall art.
• 😀 Capture crowd reactions to showcase the energy of the event, which can be used for promotional material and social media.

Q & A

What is the main purpose of the video script?

The main purpose of the video script is to share insights into the process of shooting sports photography, specifically for football games, and to provide tips on how to capture effective and impactful images.

Why did the photographer not use video footage during the first football game of the season?

The photographer forgot to attach the video camera to the main camera and realized it after walking out onto the field, leaving the gear in the skybox. Additionally, by halftime, the lighting conditions were too dark for video.

What is the significance of pregame photos for sports photographers?

Pregame photos are essential for capturing seniors who may not get playing time, as well as for documenting coaches during warm-ups or pep talks. These images are used for senior night photos and promotional content.

What camera and lens did the photographer use for wide shots during pregame?

The photographer used a Canon RF 24-70mm F2.8 lens on a second Canon R6 camera for wide shots during pregame.

How does the photographer decide which lens to use during the game?

The photographer typically starts with a 300mm F2.8 lens for extra reach, especially early in the game. After halftime, they often switch to a 70-200mm lens, depending on the situation, comfort, and the need for more flexibility.

What are the recommended shooting positions for sports photographers?

For offense, photographers should stay 20 to 30 yards ahead of the play to capture players running towards them. For defense, it's better to be in line with the defensive line to capture the action as players break through or make tackles.

Why does the photographer suggest taking solo shots of players?

Solo shots are useful for capturing players who may be recognized as players of the week or for future articles or awards. They provide versatile content for team promotions and player recognition.

How does the photographer handle lighting and exposure when shooting at night?

At night, the photographer adjusts to higher ISO settings (up to ISO 6400) to handle the low-light conditions. They use fast shutter speeds (around 1/1000th of a second) and often shoot at f/2.8 to get the sharpest images possible.

What is the photographer's approach to using Lightroom for editing?

The photographer uses Lightroom's noise reduction tool to clean up high-ISO images and enhance the sharpness. They apply minimal adjustments, typically around 20% intensity, to ensure the images remain clean and suitable for large prints.

What type of photos does the photographer capture during halftime or presentations?

During halftime or special presentations, the photographer captures images of award ceremonies, such as the presentation of the commissioner's cup, and student-athletes with the school president. These images are used for social media and promotional content.