Ednsb Loc: Santa Barbara

A couple of hints: have a monopod. If you are going to shoot a golfer swinging a club you will have to have your shutter speed up quite high 1/1000 or higher. I'm a Canon guy so I don’t know your Nikon but I assume the zooms are pretty much f/4 or f/5.6. So at 1/1000 you will be wide open with narrow depth of field. If you can rent faster lens it will help. I doubt your 50mm will get you close enough especially with crowds. Also I don’t know if your Nikon is full frame.

With all of that said if I was going to shoot this event I would rent a mirrorless Sony FF with fast zoom in wide to middle range. I can tell you - practice round or not pro golfers do not like to hear cameras going off during their swings. A mirrorless would be a lot quieter than a dslr using it burst mode. A once in a lifetime event so be prepared. Decide where you are going to shoot. Are you going to sit at a hole all day , follow a group or groups. Look at golf images online to see what you like and how you would achieve that. Have lots of fast memory chips and multiple batteries. And if you are going to use another camera than the nikon - work on using it before you go.

Lucky dog - I've never been able to make a Masters as I live on west coast but I have played the course as a junior in the Futures tourney... Magical place

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

Take EVERYTHING!

Ednsb Loc: Santa Barbara

Laughs....hire a caddy..

vonzip Loc: cape cod

ready for bear

gainesn Loc: Chickamauga, GA

Amen Corner is spectacular. Try being along the paths between greens and tees. You can usually get good golfer shots. #16 is always fun to shoot. The pimento cheese and egg salad sandwiches are a must. It will be crowded even on practice days. I'd pack a good multipurpose zoom tele and hit the road. There are not too many places you will find to just sit and change lenses without fear of being bumped and dumping a camera/lens. If you really want some fun, follow one of the wild golfers like Bubba or Phil. They will be all over the course and usually good for some really good shots for you and them.

Jwshelton Loc: Denver,CO

Have attended practice rounds at the Masters on four occasions.
Last time had a D700 with a 70-200 lens.
Was NOT allowed to take it in.
At the entrance there was a box.
If your lens, on the camera, did not fit in the box (length was the issue)
you were not allowed to take the camera in to the event.

My suggestion would be to inquire on their website as to the restrictions.
We all have opinions, but they are the final authority.

You will have a great experience!
Enjoy!

mas24 Loc: Southern CA

Being a pro photographer at a Masters Pro Tournament, would be one of the greatest experience one could have. Some attendees there, would be great golfers from the past, and of course the present.

raymondh Loc: Walker, MI

I've been there twice. (Last time for the Wed Par 3 tournament & the last one Arnie played in.) I hate swapping lens so I carried 2 cameras, 7D & 5DIII with a 24-70 & a 70-200 for lens'. Your equipment should handle it. It's good to walk the entire course so you have an idea how it lays out but make sure your legs are in shape because it IS hilly. No need do bring food - you won't believe how inexpensive it is. Worth a trip through the souvenir shop. Also very inexpensive. (They don't rape you at the Masters.) Might want to check out the driving range & take a peak at the Par 3 course. Parking your self on #16 for awhile is a good spot for a respite. It's fun to which the player's trying to skip the ball across the water.
You will be amazed at how immaculately groomed & beautiful the course is - TV does not do it justice.

(Download)


(Download)


(Download)

Larry K

Thanks very much for your innput , I think I’ve learned from the input that the smart move is two cameras. ( luckily there are two of us to do the work)

jimvanells Loc: Augusta, GA

I live in Augusta and have been to the Masters many times. I prefer the practice rounds for the express purpose of taking photos. I use a Canon with only two lenses, my 24-105 which is on for most of the scene and flower shots. I use my 70-200 for a little more reach for shots of the players. You will get very close to the best players in the world and a 200 is all you need. You will go through a metal detector and they will look in your camera bag but the gate staff is well used to folks and camera equipment. I am not sure if there is limit on lens length for patrons, but will get very tired very quickly with a large lens. If you go on a Monday or Tuesday, don't forget the par 3 course. It has some of the best flowers and vistas on the course and the 24-105 is perfect for those. I do use a full frame so keep in mind any appropriate crop sensor considerations.

There are a lot of iconic shots you will not get close the bridge over to 12 but you get next to the bridges on the other holes. You can take all the pictures you want and don't forget to walk around the East side of the club house and go the front entrance. There are two photographers there who take your picture with a friend in front of golf mecca. There is no charge as the Masters wants you to remember your trip. You will be given a piece of paper with a long number and website and the photo is available for download by evening. You do need to keep in mind that any photo taken by anyone on the grounds remains the property of the Masters and cannot be sold or use commercially with out permission. I give away my shots to family and friends and have never heard anything.

Manglesphoto Loc: 70 miles south of St.Louis

Were you born an a$$? or are you a self-made man?