Sports Parade: Question

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Archive 2009 · Sports Parade: Question

Russ Isabella
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p.1 #1 · Sports Parade: Question

On Friday, I'll be covering a parade here in downtown Salt Lake City for the University of Utah football team. In the parade (as I understand it) will be the team and coaches, cheerleaders, band, student fans and dignitaries such as the governor, mayor, university president, blah blah blah. It'll cover a 4 or 5 block stretch of State Street and end in a square where there will be a pep rally and Sugar Bowl presentaiton.

My question has to do with how to be best prepared to cover this (I'm shooting for the University of Utah) as I've never covered a parade before. I plan to stay at ground level (no shots from buildings) because I figure I have to move with the procession so I can catch all of that, but also be at the square for the events that will be happening there. I can only hope my credential will give me the access I'll need.

For equipment, I don't want to have to deal with a backpack because I want everything immediately accessible. I'm figuring two bodies, one with a 70-200/2.8 and the other with a 16-35/2.8. I'll probably tuck away a third body for 'just in case' with no intention of using it unless something goes wrong with one of the two main bodies. I figure I'll also take along a fisheye, and maybe a flash, but for me, that would lead to more confusion than anything. I'll probably wear a Think Tank belt with a couple of pouches to carry a couple of lenses, or maybe a photo vest, or both.

I'm thinking I'll need to capture the participants in the parade (in cars, on floats, whatever), the crowd, wide shots of as much of the 'whole scene' as I can get, and then the speakers and presentations at the ceremony.

So, what am I NOT thinking about that I should be? For example, how likely am I to wish I had coverage in the 36mm-69mm range? And what should I be trying to capture that I haven't mentioned? (I have been provided with information about the kinds of shots the university wants, so that's covered in what I've mentioned.)

Please share any ideas you may have, or even better, if you've shot an event like this and you have something to post, by all means post.

Thanks in advance for your help. I know I can pull this off based on my own game plan, but rather than post up shots after the fact and have you smart guys suggest the shots I hadn't thought of, I thought it would be better to get your advice on the front side.

Jan 15, 2009 at 04:50 AM

Focus Locus
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p.1 #2 · Sports Parade: Question

If you have a 24-70/2.8, I think you'd like to have it along, especially if you have up close wander at will street access.

I don't know what crops factor you've got... I know you have at least one full frame, and I think 2 crop bodies, if my continual apprenticship under your gymnastics tutelage has tracked you correctly.

So maybe put the 16-35 on your full frame, and the 24-70 and 70-200 on your crop bodies, and have the full gamut covered?

Jan 15, 2009 at 05:00 AM

Focus Locus
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p.1 #3 · Sports Parade: Question

In other words, I think you'll get more mileage out of your 16-35 on full frame, rather than your 15 fish. I'd leave the fish behind, since your client seems to be more after the "x was there" shots... ie, the university president was there, the coach was there, the team was there, etc.

You can foot zoom, but with other people wandering in and out of your frame, the closer you are to your subject, the more passerbys will know you are taking a picture, and pause just that half second you need to finish that snap.

Jan 15, 2009 at 05:05 AM

Russ Isabella
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p.1 #4 · Sports Parade: Question

Okay, you're close. Two full frame (DsIII and 5D) and one crop (MKIIN). You might be right. Having that coverage would be great, if I can manage all three rigs. I suppose I could have one short strap and one long strap around my neck (one camera/lens hanging under my chin, the other at my belly) and the third on my shoulder. I'll have to give that a test run, but thanks for the suggestion.

Jan 15, 2009 at 05:09 AM

Focus Locus
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p.1 #5 · Sports Parade: Question

One thing you need to be prepared for, is that the parade participants WILL pose for you. You will not go by unnoticed, and they will WANT to be photographed. With their friends. And these will be the participants that you are supposed to be shooting anyway, in full uniform/costume/suit whatever.

The last thing you want is to have to RUN AWAY from you intended targets because your stuck with a 70-200 and you need to foot zoom back because 70 can't fit the two other friends that piled into your frame at the last second, and yet the 16-35 is too wide, doesn't isolate the subjects enough. That's why I think you'll want to have that 24-70 along.

Jan 15, 2009 at 05:13 AM

Russ Isabella
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p.1 #6 · Sports Parade: Question

So I need the ol' 16-200 zoom

. What you're saying makes sense. The 16-35 will let me shoot 'the parade,' but the 24-70 lets me shoot small groups and the 70-200 will allow me to reach what I might not be able to get close to.

Jan 15, 2009 at 05:19 AM

Focus Locus
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p.1 #7 · Sports Parade: Question

Also, if you're running a white lens, you will have ONLOOKERS wanting their picture taken too, cause they'll think your with the paper (or with TV, go figure)... which can be a distraction, especially if the onloookers are 3 cute little 7 year olds who dressed up special. You can't NOT take their picture, all eyes are on you at the moment their squeaky little voices ring out "take my picture... pleeeaaase?" So you might as well be rigged to take a decent one in a split second, toss the parents a business card, and move quickly along.

Jan 15, 2009 at 05:21 AM

Focus Locus
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p.1 #8 · Sports Parade: Question

Run that 16-35 vertical once in a while... drop down to your knees and shoot up at the dude marching in front with the baton or the flag or whatever pompus thing he's holding. Makes for a very dramatic picture. The flag stretches into forever against the sky. Time the shot like you time gymnasts... the hit is when the knee is up.

Jan 15, 2009 at 05:25 AM

Russ Isabella
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p.1 #9 · Sports Parade: Question

Alright, I've got to start writing this stuff down.....business cards....vertical with the 16-35. Good ideas all. Thank you. (I especially like that last one.)

Jan 15, 2009 at 05:26 AM

Focus Locus
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p.1 #10 · Sports Parade: Question

I'm not normally one to make so many suggestions, but you have been such a blessing to this forum Russ over the years, that on the rare occasion when you ask for ideas, it is an honor to participate in your brainstorming.

Let me share a bit more about parades. The bands are PRISONERS until the thing starts. The jailors are the parade marshalls and band leaders, who make everyone arrive early, get dressed, and wait behind some street corner for the important city mucky muck to get around to cutting the ribbon and letting the parade begin.

What do PRISONERS appreciate most?

A VISITOR.

YOU be that visitor. They will reward you with the best artistic close ups you may be able to get out of that parade. Get their early, WAY early, and report yourself to duty on that cell block where the band or team you are assigned to cover is assembling.

They are fresh, excited, and bored all at the same time. What a wonderful combination to capitalize on. That's when you can walk among these prisoners as they tune their instruments and have a last minute practice, getting your artistic shots... reflections of faces off the instruments... whatever floats your boat.

The point being that at that moment, it is YOUR boat. They have to wait, they aren't marching, and some of them really would like to have their picture taken, and will both smile directly at you, as well as play along with you by ignoring you so you can get your candid that they know you're after.

Jan 15, 2009 at 05:41 AM

Jim Kenny
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p.1 #11 · Sports Parade: Question

You mentioned it covering 4 or 5 blocks but how long time wise will it last ?
What is your thought, will you post yourself close to the beginning and then shoot what passes by you or will you move along with the parade ?
I have brought a bicycle and locked it up on the side walk about 1/4 of the way along the parade route and then walked to the beginning and then moved along with the parade slowly, as the parade is mostly passed me I was able to get to my bike and ride to the end and get most all of the parade at the end and that also gave me a second chance to make that shot happen that I knew was a keeper it just was not working as I wanted it ... the person kept looking the wrong way or the something went wrong but i knew it was a great subject. Although, your parade may not be long enough for that and if that is the case consider getting to the end of the parade route early in the parade since it may be that the action begins at the end while some of the parade is just starting off.

Also, at street level it is hard to compose the parade participants and the crowd showing both faces.

sounds like fun

Jan 15, 2009 at 05:46 AM

Russ Isabella
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p.1 #12 · Sports Parade: Question

Focus: Thank you. I appreciate your making many thoughtful suggestions. I will get there early, but I hadn't thought about the fact the parade basically has to be constructed and in place before it can begin. You're right about that being a time when I can get shots I won't be able to get once the parade begins. Interesting thing about the U of U marching band is that shortly after the Sugar Bowl they were invited to participate in Obama's inaugural parade. They had to raise $150K in a very short period of time, but today it was announced that they've succeeded. So they'll be heading to DC within a day or two of this local parade. I imagine they'll be stoked.

Jim: The organizers are saying about 90 minutes start to finish, including the ceremony. So I don't think the parade will last very long. Since the distance the parade will cover also isn't very long, I figure I'll hedge my bets and start off near the beginning of the parade, then plan to slowly move in the direction of the parade as I let the parade pass me by so I can get what I need than turn to what's next. This also should allow me to get to the end in time for the festivities there. I'd expect the football team to be last, just like Santa at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade

. I think I'll be getting a list with the order of the parade participants. At any rate, thanks for the idea of being able to in effect capture the parade twice if necessary.

Jan 15, 2009 at 05:59 AM

Jeff Napier
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p.1 #13 · Sports Parade: Question

Russ,
I think Focus touched on it a bit, the only thing I can think of is watch the crowd too for some great portriats, kids love a parade. Keep an eye out for those watching the action.

pacdzyne

Jan 15, 2009 at 06:00 AM

Russ Isabella
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p.1 #14 · Sports Parade: Question

pacdzyne: Yup. It's a good idea. There have been lots of kids at the football games, and lots of fans dressed and painted in wild variety. I should have a much better chance of capturing this kind of thing from the street than I ever did from the field. Thanks.

Jan 15, 2009 at 07:13 AM

mervifwdc
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p.1 #15 · Sports Parade: Question

If you have someone handy, if you could put a second shooter up high even just for 2 or 3 "scene setting" shots, it would be cool. I'm not even going to suggest a remote camera.... :-)

I'd be sure to get some crazy wide shots - ideally with crowds of folks watching the parade. They need to recall it was a parade.....

Merv.

Jan 15, 2009 at 12:57 PM

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p.1 #16 · Sports Parade: Question

mervifwdc wrote:
If you have someone handy, if you could put a second shooter up high even just for 2 or 3 "scene setting" shots, it would be cool. I'm not even going to suggest a remote camera.... :-)

+1...but after your (Russ) recent success doing it with gymnastics, I was totally gonna suggest a remote camera. An UWA at Bird's eye view would make a great picture. But that is a lot of work for 1 picture.

Good luck and be sure to post some shots.

Jan 15, 2009 at 05:17 PM

bobbyz
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p.1 #17 · Sports Parade: Question

I usually carry 70-200mm f2.8 on my 1dmk2 and something like 28-75mm on my 1.6x crop. Having 16-35mm on the 2nd body would be nice if you have large floats, big balloons etc to shoot. Otherwise 24-70mm should be more than enough.

I usually shoot from middle of the road. And away from where the judges/TV personal are. Usually at the start of the parade. People will pose for you. Getting early before the parade starts gets you lot more opportunities.

Godo luck and looking forward to the pictures.

Jan 15, 2009 at 09:09 PM

Russ Isabella
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p.1 #18 · Sports Parade: Question

Merv and John: Nice that you guys aren't suggesting I use a remote

. I'm trying right now to put that thought out of my head.

bobbyz: I'll have the 16-35 since I can envision scenarios in which I might need it, but since Focus mentioned the 24-70, I've been thinking that might be the lens that gets the most use. Originally, I was planning to leave it behind, but I realize that wouldn't be wise. Thanks.

Jan 15, 2009 at 09:20 PM

Jonathan Knight
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p.1 #19 · Sports Parade: Question

Remote camera for an overall shot. It's a must, IMO.

A staff photog who graduated last year used one for the big homecoming 5K (10K?) race and got some great time-lapse and overall photos for the online paper and the yearbook. I would actually highly suggest a remote because this is a big job to cover with just 2 cameras that are on you. You need to get as many different angles as physically possible and because of time constraints a remote for overall shots would be perfect.

Jan 15, 2009 at 09:28 PM

DannWunderlich
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p.1 #20 · Sports Parade: Question

where would you put it?

Jan 15, 2009 at 09:30 PM

John P Mulgrew
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p.1 #21 · Sports Parade: Question

24-70 will be heavy Russ, sure ya going to take 3 bodies? Better eat some serious M&M's buddy

Jan 15, 2009 at 10:32 PM

Jonathan Knight
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p.1 #22 · Sports Parade: Question

DannWunderlich wrote:
where would you put it?

Building window? Building ledge? Window ledge? Lock it down.....

Jan 15, 2009 at 10:36 PM

Russ Isabella
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p.1 #23 · Sports Parade: Question

As fun an idea as the remote sounds, it isn't going to happen. Here's what I'm learning about shoots like this. The people you work for aren't looking for wildly creative or different shots. They want the usual stuff. They aren't going to be disappointed if there isn't a remote shot, and in fact, the more 'creative' (as we might define it--they might just see it as very different) the material, the more likely they aren't going to be happy with it, especially if it's in place of the more mundane stuff they were counting on. So while there is a side of me that certainly is compelled by the remote idea, given the uncertain logistics, there's no way. But I do appreciate that the idea was offered.

John: Yeah, that's why I was thinking I wouldn't carry the 24-70. But I can do the pack mule thing for a while if that's what it's going to take. (Still have to get the three cameras on my body to see how it feels and whether I can negotiate it. As long as one of them isn't a 300/2.8, I think I can make it work.) I've already decided to skip the morning run because this old body will be getting plenty of exercise covering this parade. Or, MAYBE I could hedge my bets. Carry the 16-35 because there's no way I want to miss the wide stuff, the 70-200 because I think I need the reach, and a 50mm on the third body for the stuff that falls between the cracks of the two zooms. If I need 40mm or 60mm, I should be able to get that with my feet. Hmmmm.

Jan 15, 2009 at 11:20 PM

mmcatee
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p.1 #24 · Sports Parade: Question

Russ
I shot the Phillies championship parade for the Ws. The one thing I want to say wheile the parade is moving it will be coming at you fast and furious so be prepared for 10 minutes of craziness. One the parade comes to your 4 block span it will be bedlam with a ton of opportunity packed into a small time frame. I was surprised at how fast it moved down its route. good luck and look forward to your results

Jan 15, 2009 at 11:42 PM

John P Mulgrew
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p.1 #25 · Sports Parade: Question

No matter what I'm sure it's going to be a blast to do this as long as the weather is not really sucky. Have fun Russ!

Jan 15, 2009 at 11:53 PM


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