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hi people

i want to shoot some sports events for my portfolio
just wondering is there a sport event calnder on the web that lists all sporting events this year

also if i get a ticket can i bring a professional camera into stadiums without a media pass

what are peoples experiences?

i want to shoot some sports events for my portfolio
just wondering is there a sport event calnder on the web that lists all sporting events this year

http://www.bigpondsport.com/?ref=Net-Head-Sport
http://www.oztips.com/
http://www.centrebet.com/

Not really calendars but probably helpful for planning.

also if i get a ticket can i bring a professional camera into stadiums without a media pass

I think the general consenus will be no. different venues/sports have different requirements from my knowlegde, but from memory I think the general limit is a 200mm lens.

I have taken my camera to the AFL and soccer, on one occasion I took the 100-300 and the second time the 18-200. They will search your bag but depending on how busy and who the search will vary, in most cases they appear to be more concerned with flares, alcohol and weapons.

Lookign at the Sydney Cricket stadium for example:

not to bring into the Venue any photographic, video or audio recording equipment for any purpose other than private non-commercial purposes, which may include, without limitation, video and/or audio recorders, camera tripods, monopods or lenses with a total-focal strength of greater than 200mm and commercial digital video equipment;

hmm i wonder if you count the 1.5 crop factor in the

total-focal strength

anyway if you do go make sure your close to or on teh fence, you really need the lower down perspective.

A few from my AFL game

I would try to get a pass, I have had some trouble getting into games with gear in the past. If you can get prior permission it will save you a lot of trouble at the gates.

That said, no one said anything abotu a D300 + 70-300VR, but a D300 + tokina 80-400 was a no-no (even though the lenses are roughly the physical same size) at the same time I have sat in front of someone with a SHITMA 50-500 on a monopod....

I think working for Getty, that they might be able to get you accredited

You have to be aware of all the ticket conditions also, including how and where you can use images

thanks guys for the info

regarding getty
they have a whole sports division and im in the entertainment division so i cant go through them

Fair enough, as said it's usually 200mm (+TC ? )

If your after any motorsports you can look around at the club level track days. Typically no cost for entry, and at some of the smaller tracks you can get nice and close to the action, just keep an eye out for grumpy resident photogs lol. No restrictions on lens sizes either, 'run what you brung' so to speak.

I took this at one of our clubs track days a month or two ago.

I think you will have trouble getting the 400mm f2.8 lens in any game

As a start, maybe you should approach some of the second tier leagues. They are likely to have much less restrictions on the lenses and as they attract smaller crowds and play in smaller stadiums, you should be able to get very close to the action.

good luck and looking forward to your take on sport.

André

That's true, any senior sport will do for a portfolio. You really want to be at ground level, sitting on the sideline prefereable wide open with clean backgrounds anyhow.

I attended the Sydney Tennis Open and they were very strict .....thorough bag search and applied the T+C entry to the letter..........I had a 300mm f4 and they knocked me back,saying re read the T+C....I explained I had nowhere to stick it! Since I had been dropped off at the event........I spent an hour or so going to the other venues at Olympic Park and eventually used the lockups at the pool.
I had front row seats and even during the event I had 'security' guards come up to me and check that the 70-200 2.8 I was using was in fact no bigger...............
Then I attended the NSW Athletics on the weekend and they pulled the same trick,security guard said no pro cameras and pointed to the T+Cs,I read them and it didnt say anything about pro cameras as such...............wouldnt reason with me so I said I would speak to the event organisers and if they had issues I wouldnt use.........they were ok.

So I guess 'it depends' on the event T+C,security guards,bag searches etc.............

Nigel