I have the good fortune of being invited to do a shoot this Sunday for a snowboarding competition. I've never done anything like this before, not even a sports shoot before so I'm hoping that I can find some basic, strong advice from the members on here.
I have a weather proof gear: Olympus E-3 (2 x FOV); 11-22mm; 14-54mm; 50-200mm; Lowepro backpack. I'll probablly also take a flash a ton of batteries, and a non-weather proof back-up body. I have a pair of snowpants, but will have to buy some boots (yes, I'm not a snow person).
Outside of that, is there something else I should consider for gear?
I'm not sure where exactly what points of the course they're going to drop me off at, but are the certain areas that are best. I'm assuming close to the jumps so I can get an angle that will show the boarders in the air so to have a lot sky in the shot and maybe to have the sun to my back. Other than that, I'm out to lunch.
Are there certain techniques I should consider? Certain camera set-ups I should use?
Wear layers of clothes. See if you can get a snowmobile ride up to the course/pipe. Bring food and water. Something to sit/put your knees on. If you're shooting a lot of one jump, throw a strobe and a PW on it. Try not to just get "guy in the sky" images, get some takeoff, landing, in other words show a good perspective. Get some lifestyle shots of the riders chillin' and being thuggish. White balance every time you move. Any other q's PM me, I do quite a few snow stuff every year.
Thanks scott, I've been told that I am getting a ride to each allowable location. And good call on the off camera strobe, I didn't think of that. The candid shot thing is good too. That's some great advice, thx ... much appreciated.
Thanks nick, the plan is to get a warm but not so expensive boots ... . I have to figure out if I'm cut out for this stuff, but I do want to get something that is half decent with the hope of doing some winter owl shots next year.
Dude, uggs rock....i'm completely married to a woman and have kids too. haha, not gay at all. they are a burly boot for snow, i've been out some nights and my feet were sweating. You can get em pretty cheap too.
Yeah, a lot of people don't even know what some of the athletes look like in person, so candids are kinda cool.
You will quickly find that all that snow will make your shots underexposed. Turn up the exposure comp a stop or two as needed. If the weather REALLY gets nasty-cold, heat packs for your batteries will keep them happy. Sounds like fun.
make sure every shot has the rider, the jump, and the landing in it, to give a solid frame of reference. a photo of a rider floating in the air is worthless. other than that, get creative and go nuts!
. I have to figure out if I'm cut out for this stuff, but I do want to get something that is half decent with the hope of doing some winter owl shots next year. 