Shooting first D1 College Game - Any sage advice welcomed

BGMichael36
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Shooting first D1 College Game - Any sage advice welcomed

I've been shooting HS level basketball for a number of years and have recently been provided an opportunity to cover a men's game at a high level D1 program. I'm heading into this excited of course, but knowing it's important to be professional and courteous while I'm out there.

At the HS level I'm usually able to roam around (unless it's a large classification playoff game) and freely capture within reason. For this game I will be credentialed as an independent photog and not a part of a publication or visual media company. From those with experience at this level - I would love to hear any advice, tips, or past stories that you would care to share which may help before I head into the venue. Are there unspoken rules or etiquette I should think about beforehand or that may be helpful to understand?

Thank you for any help you folks can throw at me, I appreciate it!

Sep 05, 2024 at 04:37 PM

Jim Cowsert
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Shooting first D1 College Game - Any sage advice welcomed

Some venues will require you to kneel in the end zones and not block signage, count down clocks, etc...
AP, Getty, USAToday, team photogs and Local newspapers will have their computers and gear in the photo work room. Some venues have really small work rooms, so don't take their working space. Sounds like since your independant there's probably not a reason you need to transmit images right away.
Most D1 teams won't let you stop and shoot behind the benches, so look out for that.
Take ear plugs, college venues get loud and some shoot off cannons, loud horns, etc...
Keep an eye out on the sidelines not to block working photographers and for plays coming at you. I've been ran over before, hit by balls, etc..
Make sure you have liability insurance....you never know what can happen at crowded events.

Sep 05, 2024 at 05:53 PM

Caleb Williams
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Shooting first D1 College Game - Any sage advice welcomed

Is this D1 football or basketball or something else?

The reason I ask is because basketball isn't in-season right now, so if so, you may have some time before the game.

Sep 05, 2024 at 06:26 PM

BGMichael36
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Shooting first D1 College Game - Any sage advice welcomed

It's basketball - I certainly have some time. Thought it may make sense to start planning however!

Sep 05, 2024 at 06:29 PM

BGMichael36
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Shooting first D1 College Game - Any sage advice welcomed

Jim Cowsert wrote:
Some venues will require you to kneel in the end zones and not block signage, count down clocks, etc...
AP, Getty, USAToday, team photogs and Local newspapers will have their computers and gear in the photo work room. Some venues have really small work rooms, so don't take their working space. Sounds like since your independant there's probably not a reason you need to transmit images right away.
Most D1 teams won't let you stop and shoot behind the benches, so look out for that.
Take ear plugs, college venues get loud and some shoot off cannons, loud horns, etc...
Keep an eye...Show more →

I wont be transmitting images during the game at this point (that may change). I want to be as mobile as I can be but also mindful of where I cant go. This will hopefully be sorted out beforehand but very helpful to acknowledge prior. I want to make sure I'm not interfering with photog's working the game.

Sep 05, 2024 at 06:52 PM

Llewtwo
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Shooting first D1 College Game - Any sage advice welcomed

Likely the single best resource on shooting college basketball is the video put out by the BYU photography team. They have one, maybe two, on shooting D1 basketball. I am not aware of another resource that has more or better content. They also have a lot of material on workflow and so on. Some D1 programs really don't have as much of a following and the baseline will not be that crowded. For the bigger and better known programs you will be given a numbered position on the baseline that you will be expected to use. They aren't very wide and sometimes not very deep. You can move to an empty one. Every arena is a little bit different and if you can reach out to someone that shoots where you are getting access they can give you the lay of the land. Generally, you aren't going to be able to roam anywhere. You want a two body set up at a minimum and you can sometimes do three. You will want a 24-70 or equivalent and maybe even a wider lens in your bag and then a 70-200. A 300 is very nice for the long end and for isolated player shots as they bring the ball up the court. The Canon 100-300 is almost ideal instead of the 70-200. The 200 f2 also works very nicely if you are shooting Canon and have one. There are a number of other videos as well on shooting college basketball.

Sep 06, 2024 at 09:04 AM

Jim Cowsert
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Shooting first D1 College Game - Any sage advice welcomed

BGMichael36 wrote:
It's basketball - I certainly have some time. Thought it may make sense to start planning however!
Yeah, just misread that thinking it was football.
If shooting from the floor, get something like a Crazy Creek camp chair. One that won't leave marks or scratches on the floor. Usually floor spots are assigned by the school. Under basket and next to escape lanes are usually for the school, tv, or working media.

Sep 06, 2024 at 09:50 AM

Caleb Williams
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Shooting first D1 College Game - Any sage advice welcomed

Sep 06, 2024 at 10:28 AM

Linwood-F
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Shooting first D1 College Game - Any sage advice welcomed

I've shot D1 games which were completely casual, credentialed photographers could pretty much go anywhere out of the way of the players and game; I've also shot D1 games where you get assigned a tiny seat somewhere on the end line (maybe even behind someone else) and you have to stay inside that taped off box with all your gear.

If you can ask ahead of time, knowing where you will be and how limited will tell you what to bring. For example, when i can freely wander (if it's a big arena) I bring a 400/2.8, and I go up for 10 minutes or so and shoot from the mezzanine level. If I'm stuck in a box I take the bare minimum stuff I need to shoot from that box. Sometimes you can figure this out by watching prior game video, just see how packed the end lines are. Big rivalries and tournaments are going to be worse than regular games. You might also ask if you can shoot a scrimmage before the season starts to warm up a bit and get to know the players (knowing the players, especially in men's to know who is going to be the showoff dunk guy, is always helpful).

Regardless but especially if you cannot find out a lot, get there early, like an hour plus parking. Usually credentialed folks can get in before the fans. This will give you a chance to get to know people and ask anything you feel you need. I would suggest though that you not seek out all possible rules -- if they are really strict someone will tell you, if you ask too many questions you may get restrictions you didn't actually need to have (example "can I shoot from the stands" may just get a blanket "no" but if it's not real crowded and you wander up there for some wide shots (credentials showing) no one will likely complain). Within reason ask forgiveness not permission. Don't hassle the SID near and during game time as they may have a LOT going on (smaller places they may be running stats such), though it's worth early on asking "anything special I should look for like awards being given out".

Parking can be a real nightmare at some sites. I was fortunate enough to get parking pass plus credentials, for a lot near the arena. If you are competing with the fans, another reason to get there early and realize you may have to carry the gear a good long way. If you can gently ask for parking pass (if the credentials are not it already) it can help a lot.

Sep 07, 2024 at 08:06 PM

BGMichael36
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Shooting first D1 College Game - Any sage advice welcomed

Llewtwo wrote:
Likely the single best resource on shooting college basketball is the video put out by the BYU photography team. They have one, maybe two, on shooting D1 basketball. I am not aware of another resource that has more or better content. They also have a lot of material on workflow and so on. Some D1 programs really don't have as much of a following and the baseline will not be that crowded. For the bigger and better known programs you will be given a numbered position on the baseline that you will be expected to use. They aren't very wide...Show more →

Thanks! I shoot Sony. My thought is to bring my 300gm, 70-200gm ii, and possibly the 24-70gm. I'll have these on two bodies (a1 and a7rv). Question - you said the baseline boxes are potentially cramped for space (I suspect that to be the case for this team). This means I may only have room for what's on me (dual body setup). Do other's run to their bag in the media room if they want to grab different glass for the second half? Or is it even worth it?

Sep 09, 2024 at 04:33 PM

Caleb Williams
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · Shooting first D1 College Game - Any sage advice welcomed

BGMichael36 wrote:
Thanks! I shoot Sony. My thought is to bring my 300gm, 70-200gm ii, and possibly the 24-70gm. I'll have these on two bodies (a1 and a7rv). Question - you said the baseline boxes are potentially cramped for space (I suspect that to be the case for this team). This means I may only have room for what's on me (dual body setup). Do other's run to their bag in the media room if they want to grab different glass for the second half? Or is it even worth it?

In my limited experience with D1 basketball, halftime is typically open to move around, change lenses, send photos. During one game I was locked into a spot and couldn't move within that area, which was okay, because my laptop was right there. Then during the second half when my team was attacking the other basket, I had much more freedom.

At that same arena, but during a less attended game, the team photographer for the home team had complete freedom to move around the arena and shoot from the seats, etc.

Sep 09, 2024 at 10:18 PM

Llewtwo
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · Shooting first D1 College Game - Any sage advice welcomed

Most of the baseline photographers go to the media room at half. You can roam around at half but there really isn't much to photograph aside from the halftime activities. You will swap ends for the second half and usually but not always you will get a similar designated spot for the second half. Now, I should have mentioned this earlier, the visiting team does not always fill in the baseline and may not travel with many/any photographers at all. If you are covering a game with a visiting team that isn't that popular or doesn't have much of a following you can go down and photograph your team on defense. At some arenas you have enough room to keep some gear behind you. At others it's quite cramped and the fans may be immediately behind you. D1 runs the gamut from your big time programs with large crowds and followings to regional universities with far less in the way of spectators and photographer. A MAC school is generally going to be easier to navigate than a Big 10. If nothing else you will enjoy the experience. I have always run three bodies because I like having the 300 for the long end. You can of course get away with two and many do but it's nice to be able to have the reach. The best thing you can do, maybe, is find someone that regularly photographs the team you are photographing. It's not just the in game activity but learning the lay of the land is helpful. The media work room isn't always easy to find and sometimes that's also the room for the post game presser but not always.

Sep 10, 2024 at 08:51 AM


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