Hi everyone, I love this section of the forum!! I'm very new to photography as a whole. I'm reading a lot and getting familiar with my camera and all the terms. I'm going to the Falcons - Saints game in December. I have row 4 endzone seats (here's the view http://tinyurl.com/y8jv3d9).

I have a couple questions if you guys dont mind helping me out I have a Canon XS.

1) Can you just bring your camera in or do you guys have some sort of pass
2) Do you think a 70-300 would be sufficient?
3) What settings do you usually use as to not get over exposed or blurry shots?

thanks!

Holy cow Madeline... tinyURL that address, will ya? .

Here are some of your answers...

1) You'll probably be able to get the camera in, but check with the stadium first. Call their media relations dept. or check their website. In most instances, a consumer camera with a consumer lens is okay, but check... better safe than sorry.

2) Sufficient? Depends on what your definition of sufficient is. I mean, if that's the longest you have, then it will have to be sufficient. For others, shooting on the sidelines with a 400 + TC is not sufficient or at least sufficient enough. Get all the reach you can get.

3) As part of your learning, be sure to be familiar with the terminology. Blurry shots are really called out of focus shots. In this instance, out of focus, I assume, is in regards to shutter speed. Try to get at least 1/1000 SS during the day. At night, one may have to settle with 1/500. For day, between 1/1000 - 1/2000 is the happy zone. If that means pushing ISO to 1600 even during the day, so be it. Don't sacrifice shutter speed for a better ISO.

Hope this helps. Have fun.

Those look like pretty good seats... at least when they're coming towards that endzone...
http://tinyurl.com/atl-seats

http://www.atlantafalcons.com/Venues/The_Dome/Dome_Policies.aspx
CAMERAS AND VIDEO CAMERAS
You may bring a still camera into the Georgia Dome and take pictures as long as the pictures are intended for personal use and not for future sale. Video cameras are not allowed in the Georgia Dome. NFL policy prohibits the video taping of any Falcons game unless written authorization has been obtained from the Atlanta Falcons.

Like Paul said, use your fastest ISO and shoot in Av with the aperture cranked wide open (the lowest f/stop number).

Lighting in the Georgia Dome is pretty good.

Thanks guys! sorry about the URL, I wasnt sure if this forum shortened it for you. the forums i usually visit do.

Thanks for your suggestions. yea a 70-300 is the longest lens I have. Thanks for the policy I looked all over that site... hmmm. I'm going to try to get up to the front to get some TD shots, since I am in then endzone, tackling/passing pics are pretty much out. I'm going to try to get out to a HS football game to work on y'alls suggestions thanks again!