newb MMA question

lizzard_nyc

HI all,
Sports is usually not my thing. I usually live in "street, challenges" some little league for fun, but I lurk here quite a bit.

I am trying something new--I got the opportunity to photograph an MMA type of event here locally in a couple of weeks.

Ok, this is embarrassing I'm sure you guys will get a good laugh.

Where do I stand? (waiting for laughter to die down).
Seriously though, I don't want to block people who paid good money to see the event. Do you just walk around the ring, or do you set up in one spot and to hell with whoever you are blocking? (not comfortable with scenario 2).

I won't be using flash, that much I know. I will however be using my trusty Oly E620 which flatlines after ISO 1000 and my handy dandy kit lenses:) Wish me luck. I won't be able to get the super sharp images, don't have the capability--so I plan on processing them to look gritty and old film-like b&w.
Any other tips would be appreciated.

GadgetRick

Well, first you need to have permission to be cageside (most cards happen in cages in the US these days). You'll have to get permission from the promoter for this.

Then you'll have to shoot between the chain links. Large aperture to blur them out (f2.8 preferably).

You'll need higher shutter speeds in order to freeze the action. This will possibly mean a high ISO depending on the venue and how they light it. Some shows have great lighting, others, well, not so much.

However, hopefully, you've watched some MMA in the past, this way you'll know what you're looking at and (maybe) what to expect. Things happen fast.

I wrote an entry in my blog about this sort of thing here. It's the one after the most current entry.

What's the fastest lens you have?

lizzard_nyc

GadgetRick wrote: »

Well, first you need to have permission to be cageside (most cards happen in cages in the US these days). You'll have to get permission from the promoter for this.

Then you'll have to shoot between the chain links. Large aperture to blur them out (f2.8 preferably).

You'll need higher shutter speeds in order to freeze the action. This will possibly mean a high ISO depending on the venue and how they light it. Some shows have great lighting, others, well, not so much.

However, hopefully, you've watched some MMA in the past, this way you'll know what you're looking at and (maybe) what to expect. Things happen fast.

I wrote an entry in my blog about this sort of thing here. It's the one after the most current entry.

What's the fastest lens you have?

GadgetRick,
Just got a hold of the person who is giving me the opportunity. I had little to go on before and made the assumption it was MMA style since it's so popular right now.
OK--it's a fight in a ring with ropes, so can't be MMA, but more like mixed boxing/kickboxing. There will be ropes and no cage which is good for me I think so I don't have to worry about getting in between the links.
I will have access to the ropes as the promoter is letting me do this.

Sorry for the information earlier--I've just started to really think about it, I found out about the opportunity a couple of days ago and got the details last night.

Thanks for responding.

Liz A.

GadgetRick

Ok, shooting through the ropes makes it a bit easier then. Looking forward to seeing your shots.