I was at the Open yesterday (I go every year; I even went in '08). Since your seats are in the shade I assume you'll be at either Rod Laver Arena or Hisense Arena. They are the only courts with significant shade.
Assuming hubby bought tickets for RLA, it works like this. After you find your gate (1-20) on the concourse you'll go up a set of stairs and emerge on a walkway that rings the arena and divides the lower and upper seats. Rows A-Z are lower,
AA-RR are upper. Seats at the northern or southern ends will be in the shade while those on the eastern or western sides (except for the very highest) will be in the sun. There are no pillars to obstruct the view from any position.
The main TV camera, the one that shows the full court when someone serves, is at the northern end on the walkway level. That will give you an idea of the angle and lighting. The roof is constantly adjusted during the day so the court is in sunshine and the ends where the linespeople are are in shade. After 5pm or so shadow will creep across the court as the sun sinks.
The accredited photographers will be in one of two positions, either courtside or on the walkway (usually clustered around theTV camera I mentioned). The latter group tend to have lenses I probably could not afford to rent. If you were in one of the lower seats a 200 (35mm equivalent) lens would probably get you a full body shot of the player facing you from the far end. From the higher seats it would probably get you a full court shot. Available light will not be a problem although with the difference in light levels between the court and the seats behind it you may want to spot meter on the player. You may not leave your seat to try to get a better position, or move about the stadium during play.
You can much closer to the action on one of the outside courts, crowd attendance allowing, but without reserved seating you may not get in to a match featuring a name player. Having reserved seating is why I always get tickets for RLA - I can go to any court except Hisense Arena, but those with general day passes cannot go to RLA.
Some general notes: there is very little shade at Melbourne Park proper other than that at the two main courts so wear a hat and take sunscreen. The seats are hard plastic so take some flat cushions. There is a tap outside RLA proper, roughly opposite Gate 17, where you can refill your water bottle. Food and drink is ridiculously expensive so if you're not taking lunch and nibblies with you then make sure you've got approval from your local credit provider first.
Posted: Tue Jan 20, 2009 8:54 am