hello, I am planning my first time out to shoot the local high school BB team tonight. I am curious if there are any given rules on this? Obviously i need to stay out of the way of the game, but whats the rules on things like flash and likes? I have been studying some great new flash techniques and want to try them out, but am afraid to over step my bounds. Is it typically ok to stand places other than the bleachers? Any advice is greatly appreciated.
There are 1000x people more qualified to answer this, but since you are on short notice, I'll chime in.
If you are asking about shooting position, you probably aren't ready for strobing.
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Shooting position:
Bleachers actually give great perspective. Most people will shoot 5' behind baseline, however a lot of high school gyms don't have enough room. The corners on the floor are a great place with a 70-200. Obviously, you shouldn't move from position during game play, there are plenty of stoppage and timeouts. At the very least wait till the ball is on the other side of the court.
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Strobing (always off camera):
1) If you don't have liability insurance, STOP here and just shoot ambient. Don't even try or ask.
2) Contact the home team's principle/AD/head coach or all of the above. Get their permission. Once you have their permission, they can be on your side when you talk with the ref's. I will give you a heads up... every high school team I have talked to about strobing wanted to see my setup and effects of the flash during practice first... not a game.
3) Safety, Safety, Safety. Safety wire, tie down everything, and use a barrier/rope off/etc to make equipment off limits to the public. There's obviously many many posts about this.
4) If anyone has a problem with the strobing effects or equipment, STOP. This is where the home team's contact can be on your side. Everyone will react differently to it if it's new. Most of the flak will usually come from away team's head coach, but try to get the ref's permission waaaay before the game.
I normally shoot sitting down either at the free-throw line or the three-point line. You'll want to be by the basket because you'll get the action coming towards you.
just curious, you say that without liability insurance dont even try... but why? what damage can come from it? not saying your wrong, just looking for more insight.
Your strobes will be up in the bleachers, on a rail over the court, etc. Should a flash fall, bonk someone on the head, hurting them, cause them to fall and then injure other people, etc., then you're liable. Without insurance you're screwed.
Jimna, there is never a way to over think the possibilities, there is a reason we carry a minimum 1 million liability. A player trips and slides into breaking your monopod, and their arm. They can say you are liable, and sue you.... Without coverage you could end up losing everything.
