DI Seller Loc: Knoxville, TN

I'm going out to shoot some pics at a golf tournament and have an old Nikon D60 with the kit lens. I won't be taking any action shots, but more group still than anything else. Should I take my flash for filler light? What about investing a few dollars in a filter, can't remember the name, to get better shots with a sky background? I look forward to your input.

mas24 Loc: Southern CA

What is your kit lens. The 18-55mm?

DI Seller Loc: Knoxville, TN

Yes

Dannj

Are you talking about a polarizing filter?
Also, you may want to check to see if you can use the flash at all during the tournament. Flashes are generally not allowed on the course. Even if it's just a local outing, the golfers won't appreciate a flash going off around them. If you're taking souvenir shots of foursomes, e.g., you'lol be told where to set up.

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

I shoot golf tournaments every year.
For staged foursome shots, absolutely use a fill flash!
I can post examples later of with and without fill and you'll see a huge difference.
Which speedlight do you have (make/model)?
You don't need any kind of filter.

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

Samples with and without flash.
Use direct flash. That little- snap-on diffuser will do nothing but rob light outside.
It will only soften the light if there is a low ceiling and/or close walls to bounce off of.

No flash


Flash fill

jfctucson

Hi. I shot golf tournaments for 13 years in southern AZ. Several things. 1. DO use a fill flash. 2. Do use a polarizer to make the sky much bluer. 3. Take the foursomes with clubs in hand, grounded together in the front center with a teed ball if on a Tee. 4. If you are going to return the finished product at the dinner the same day, or have them ready to be picked up at the end of the tournament, borrow a golf cart from the course, start on the 18th, assuming it's a shotgun start, take the group there. Carefully drive against play until you get to the next group assemble them and take their photo, continuing until you get to the group that started on the first hole. Check carefully that group because sometimes they start more than one group on the first hole. Note: if the pro has a problem with this, use two photographers set up on two tees 9 holes apart and you'll finish with production time to spare. Travel time to lab can be a problem. 5. Time is important. Don't be too slow. Each group shot should take 1-2 minutes only. You can do a full field 144 players in 2-2 1/2 hours, leaving you time to produce the product. 6. If using a lab to produce your product, you can have them overlay the product with the name, date or whatever. Leave a little room at the bottom of the photo to place the overlay. Get a cardboard folder for the pix. Not too expensive. I always found that 5X7 was a good size, but did some 8x10's with a phony magazine cover. Not good if an overcast day since the overlay disappeared into the white/grey sky on 8x10's. 7. If you have a two day tourney, set up on one tee with a good background. Usually the course signature hole will give you this. Then deliver the finished product the next day. 8. When I was doing this in the 1990's and early 2000's, my cost was around $225 per tourney. Of course I was shooting film... Good luck and have fun.

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

Welcome aboard jfctucson!

At the course where I shoot, the front and back 9 intersect near the clubhouse and a third hole nearby, so that's where I station myself.
I can shoot at a green or tee box, depending on where the group comes from.
Close to bathroom, shade and drinks- though the club car comes by often enough.
I'm finished shooting groups half-way through the event and can be done printing a couple of hours before they get back.
I use a dye-sub printer which takes about 8/sec per 4x6 print, 12 sec for 5x7.

cambriaman Loc: Central CA Coast

Bright sun? Always need a fill flash. IMHO.