Any Comments on (Running) Race Work?
charlesoutcalt
Registered Users Posts: 100 Big grins
I'm throwing this question out not to get the dirt on particular companies, but to ask if anyone here has experience, good or bad, with the road side photo firms that specialize in (foot) races.
I've been a runner for a long time, and have just upgraded my camera equipment to a level where I think it would be appropriate for this type of work. As an advanced amateur, but not a pro by any means, is it unreasonable to think this sort of work is within my reach? Part of me says 'How hard can it be to find a good vantage point and shoot away at the runners coming over the hill.' Another part says 'Whoa, that's a big leap from amateur to pro, and there are plenty of people more qualified.'
My second question on this topic is whether working for these companies is a good experience. On the downside, you've got to get up way before dawn. On the upside, being at a race is always a good time (esp when you don't have to run yourself!).
Any thoughts/opinions/stories/cautions to share?
I've been a runner for a long time, and have just upgraded my camera equipment to a level where I think it would be appropriate for this type of work. As an advanced amateur, but not a pro by any means, is it unreasonable to think this sort of work is within my reach? Part of me says 'How hard can it be to find a good vantage point and shoot away at the runners coming over the hill.' Another part says 'Whoa, that's a big leap from amateur to pro, and there are plenty of people more qualified.'
My second question on this topic is whether working for these companies is a good experience. On the downside, you've got to get up way before dawn. On the upside, being at a race is always a good time (esp when you don't have to run yourself!).
Any thoughts/opinions/stories/cautions to share?
0
Comments
Do you have the reflexes and concentration to capture each runner, time after time after time, in a pleasing stride? Not getting both fee off the ground at the same time, getting one foot down with the other fully back, the runner looking at you and not to the side, etc.? Can you do this a thousand times in a row? Get every single runner, even when they are in a group? Deal with the changing light during the day as the sun moves and casts poor shadows on your runners? You WILL be using a strong flash, right? And a 2.8 lens?
I photographed a bicycle race two years in a row and it is a surprising amount of work and effort. Not saying not to do it, but to realize how much effort goes into it.
A former sports shooter
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Hey Bill! All good questions. When you put it like that, I see that there's more to this than snap, snap, snap.
My equipment: a Canon 1D Mk III, with a 30D as backup; the Canon f/2.8L 70 - 200 IS; the Canon 300 mm f/2.8L IS (so heavy, but I love it, and see you have it, too); Canon 580 EX II Speedlite, and a handful of broader L lenses (24 - 70 f/2.8L, 16 - 36 f/2.8L). . .
As far as the human side of your question: Do I have those skills? Well, I know I need to develop them, but I can't say I'm all the way there yet. I've done a lot of volunteer work in race photography over the last couple years for a charitable group that trains teams to raise $ for cancer research. I really enjoy that, but I have the luxury of not having to get EVERY runner. I try, but, if I miss someone, or just don't get a flattering shot of someone, I can quietly leave that person out of that race. I can see this wouldn't be possible in pro work.
I checked out your work, and I was impressed. Thanks for the voice of experience.
Being a former competitive runner and coach of cross country and track athletes, I can tell you that getting a great shot of a runner is just as thrilling as a great basketball photo.
I was one of the official photographers for a big marathon in our state, and can tell you getting EVERY runner is almost impossible--you just try to get as many as possible. If spacing allows between runners, shoot as many as possible of the same runner. I was shooting film at the time and had an assistant whose only responsiblity was to unload/load film in the second camera body so we could switch when I ran out of film.
Like the other poster wrote, this is indeed tough work. You certainly have the equipment, now you have to scout a location with a nice background, and a nice straight away so you don't get caught off guard with a large group surprising you around a corner. Good luck!
Canon 2 x 5D, 24-70L, 70-200 2.8IS, 50 f1.4, 580EXII, 2 x 550EX, CP-E4
Mike, I'm listening to you, too. I really liked your shot of the runner in the Orioles uniform in your portfolio.
Can I ask how you got signed up to be an official marathon photographer?
Actually, I was working for a guy who was doing league team/individual shots, and he managed to get the job as official photographer for the marathon, and wanted a couple other shooters.
The shot you mentioned in my portfolio is actually a girl I coached who went to state in cross country. I have others like that one of other runners, but I seem to like that one the best.
Canon 2 x 5D, 24-70L, 70-200 2.8IS, 50 f1.4, 580EXII, 2 x 550EX, CP-E4
As you've already seen, in your current position if you don't get everyone then you don't worry. But if you become the official photographer you'll want to get a large percentage of runners with at least one keeper each.
Next problem is the business end. First, getting yourself known by the runners so they know where to look. Actually not that hard to do if you work with the organizers. Bigger problem is finding a way for them to easily find the photograph of themself. This wasn't so bad with the motocross and karts I used to do, I would split them into run groups and tag by kart/bike number. Unfortunately an idiot called Peter Wolf along with a conspirator called the US Patent Office kinda put an end to that. When I did the bicycles that was a lot harder, if not impossible. The charity race did not require/provide numbers for the bikes, so it was nearly impossible for people to find their own photo. I'm still surprised at how many of them perservered and eventually ordered something.
A former sports shooter
Follow me at: https://www.flickr.com/photos/bjurasz/
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What I found out:
It was a pretty important event and had a famous runner so it was very crowded making it tough to get any good pictures without a press pass. In Japan everyones a photographer and in your way.
I had back and forth clouds and sun all day. I don't have a good fast zoom lens which is really necessary and will be my next lens purchase.
Again, without a press pass the starting and finish lines were very tough
I chose to focus on the famous and invited guest runners so I took pictures of the start and middle of race only. At the start and warm up I could get pictures of the famous who most likely wouldn't be available at the finish. Also there wouldn't be time to race back and secure a position at the finish.
It's a lot of running around. After getting the start I had to race for the subway to get to a point where I could get to the front runners. I secured a good spot only to have it taken over by a TV station with a famous news caster that everyone wanted to be near. After that everyone was crowded around me and in my way
steve
Tour Leader - DPRK
Uri Tours
SmugMug - photos.japanphotos.jp
You all are showing me that, with this as with most else in life, the good stuff requires work! I guess no one is going to get out there and make this easy for me, but I'm not discouraged (yet!).
Anyone have experience working for the big companies that specialize in this type of photography? Without naming names, has that been positive? Negative? How did you get started?
Mike, checked your site. You have lots of information about your service, your photography knowledge, history, etc but not once anywhere do you have your name. Just a little odd since I know where you went to college, your equipment, etc.
Funny that you mention that because someone I work with noticed that my business card doesn't have my name anywhere on it. I know I just added a testimonial page where someone uses my first name, but, to be honest, I'm not sure where I'd put it. Maybe somewhere on the info page on the bottom? "Focal Point Photography, LLC" is owned and operated by Mike Burman? That seems to be the most logical place I guess. When I think about it, I've seen lots of photographers' websites, and I don't recall seeing a lot of names on theirs either--am I just missing something?
Canon 2 x 5D, 24-70L, 70-200 2.8IS, 50 f1.4, 580EXII, 2 x 550EX, CP-E4