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Oct 19, 2018 21:44:59   #
Photopro
 
Cb handle photopro and I'm working toward becoming a pro shooting pro football.I have one problem the equipment to catch the action is expensive and I don't have thatl kind of money.I would like to hear of alternative ways of catching the action without sacrificing.quality. Any advice would be appreciated

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Oct 19, 2018 22:27:17   #
PaulR01 Loc: West Texas
 
What brand equipment are you shooting with?

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Oct 20, 2018 03:08:11   #
rmorrison1116 Loc: Near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania
 
My intent is not to pop your bubble but, becoming a professional photographer today is a fairly tough thing to do. Unless you have lots of experience and work for someone else, the odds are big time not in your favor. And realistically, you shouldn't call yourself a photopro unless you really are.
There's a whole lot more to being a professional photographer than selling a few photographs. A professional photographer is a person who makes their income from photography. I have a friend who is a pro photographer and to make ends meet he also works in a camera store. You see, today, anyone can buy a $500 digital camera, get cards printed and call themselves a pro photographer. Doesn't mean they are, it just means they are pro wanna be's.
You want to be a pro that shoots pro football. What else do you want to shoot because pro football is pretty much limited to 5 maybe 6 months out of 12. What will you do the other 6 months?! You will need a pro grade camera. Something that can be used in all kinds of weather because not all pro football teams play indoors. Your camera will need to be sturdy, something that can take a little abuse. And now for the real expensive part, the lens. You will need a pro grade zoom lens with a lot of reach, and that will probably cost you more than the camera body. Take a real close look at the guys on the sidelines next Sunday. You will see a whole lot of big long off white (actually, light grey) lenses that cost anywhere from $2,000 to $13,000 USD.
I've shot sporting events and non-sporting events, like weddings, big parties, small parties, corporate events and many other things since I got into photography over 45 years ago and I've even made enough money to buy some new equipment, but, I don't call myself a professional photographer because it has never been my primary source of income.
Best of luck in your endeavors but, straight out of the gate you're setting your self up for failure buy looking for ways to get around the photographers tools issue. You will need pro grade tools to do a pro job and even good used tools don't come cheap.

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Oct 20, 2018 05:47:43   #
sirlensalot Loc: Arizona
 
Arguments abound to start with a FF or APS-C size sensor in your camera. You can decide that one. Pros shoot FF for the most part. I am guessing you will honing your skills at less than pro football games to start? A couple of things to consider. Shooting pro football is expensive. At least 2 bodies, a mid range zoom and probably a 400mm prime is a good place to start. Best advice is to talk to the pros that do it.
At the non-pro level, one body and a 100-400, a sturdy monopod, extra batteries and cards should get you started in that direction. Renting lenses is another option. Save your money, you're going to need lots of it. I sincerely wish you success on your quest.
No guts, no glory.

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Oct 20, 2018 06:56:23   #
Notorious T.O.D. Loc: Harrisburg, North Carolina
 
Pro is an interesting term. My son has won two Top Sportsman drag racing PDRA world championships and races for money. He has raced at least 30 PDRA events and won 3 events. 3 event wins puts him at the top level, so roughly 1 in 10 winning percentage. In those 30 races he has gone to 7 or 8 final rounds and only won 3. These guys at this level are that good...anyone can beat you any round. You only have to win 4 rounds of eliminations to win an event. How hard could that be it’s like winning 4 coin tosses in a row, well it’s damn hard. I don’t define him as a pro even though he can kick a lot of ass. But to me a pro not only has exceptional skills but earns their living from the activity. My point, top level is very tough and competitive...

I know a fair number of pro photographers and some darn good non pros. They have very good to great equipment but they also have a vision of where and how to get the shot the other pros didn’t. So you need to have $20-$60K of equipment over time to be a pro sports shooter. You better love long hours in harsh conditions. You better study great sports shooters and shoot a lot and not just pros but joes too. Check out shooters like Steven Wilson, his son Dallas who has a bright future most likely. Joe McHugh and one who I think is among the top, Mark J Rebilas on web and Facebook. Good luck...it’s hard but doable I’d you work hard enough... but I think there are easier ways to make a living.

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Oct 20, 2018 07:30:16   #
hj Loc: Florida
 
photopro, listen to morrison1116. I agree with every point he makes.

rmorrison1116 wrote:
My intent is not to pop your bubble but, becoming a professional photographer today is a fairly tough thing to do. Unless you have lots of experience and work for someone else, the odds are big time not in your favor. And realistically, you shouldn't call yourself a photopro unless you really are.
There's a whole lot more to being a professional photographer than selling a few photographs. A professional photographer is a person who makes their income from photography. I have a friend who is a pro photographer and to make ends meet he also works in a camera store. You see, today, anyone can buy a $500 digital camera, get cards printed and call themselves a pro photographer. Doesn't mean they are, it just means they are pro wanna be's.
You want to be a pro that shoots pro football. What else do you want to shoot because pro football is pretty much limited to 5 maybe 6 months out of 12. What will you do the other 6 months?! You will need a pro grade camera. Something that can be used in all kinds of weather because not all pro football teams play indoors. Your camera will need to be sturdy, something that can take a little abuse. And now for the real expensive part, the lens. You will need a pro grade zoom lens with a lot of reach, and that will probably cost you more than the camera body. Take a real close look at the guys on the sidelines next Sunday. You will see a whole lot of big long off white (actually, light grey) lenses that cost anywhere from $2,000 to $13,000 USD.
I've shot sporting events and non-sporting events, like weddings, big parties, small parties, corporate events and many other things since I got into photography over 45 years ago and I've even made enough money to buy some new equipment, but, I don't call myself a professional photographer because it has never been my primary source of income.
Best of luck in your endeavors but, straight out of the gate you're setting your self up for failure buy looking for ways to get around the photographers tools issue. You will need pro grade tools to do a pro job and even good used tools don't come cheap.
My intent is not to pop your bubble but, becoming ... (show quote)

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Oct 20, 2018 08:15:04   #
Kmgw9v Loc: Miami, Florida
 
Photopro wrote:
Cb handle photopro and I'm working toward becoming a pro shooting pro football.I have one problem the equipment to catch the action is expensive and I don't have thatl kind of money.I would like to hear of alternative ways of catching the action without sacrificing.quality. Any advice would be appreciated


Clearly, it is not easy, and not for everyone; but in five years there will be pro photographers on the football field, making great images. One might as well be, and could be you.
Good Luck in your endeavor.

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Oct 20, 2018 08:55:47   #
Flickwet Loc: NEOhio
 
Photopro wrote:
Cb handle photopro and I'm working toward becoming a pro shooting pro football.I have one problem the equipment to catch the action is expensive and I don't have thatl kind of money.I would like to hear of alternative ways of catching the action without sacrificing.quality. Any advice would be appreciated

Consider photography a hobby, based upon the questions you asked, you’re not ready, nor are you on a career path. A professional doesn’t start out of the gate. And an aspiring pro would not need a bunch of old geezers, myself included, to assist you. Now on to the answer.
if you want to get your feet wet shooting pro-like situations try getting an Olympus E-620 or E-30. Then get yourself a four thirds 50-200 f2.8 lens, all together if you’re smart, maybe $400-$600 depending on age, model and condition. This will give you an equivalent 100-400mm f2.8 telephoto. And some credibility if your pics are good, you won’t be able to blame the camera.

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Oct 20, 2018 10:04:45   #
Photopro
 
Thank you all for your views but there is one factor that everyone has overlooked and that kid that we are all children of God and as such there. Is. No thing as failure . If you truly believe your heavenly father opens doors that we can't do alone and he occasionally has to close some doors because he has a plan for our lives and the closed doors mean that he has something better and on a much grander scale than we can ever imagine. As for the term photopro it has been my th handle for a good many years so I don't feel any fear for my.future because God has a plan. Not only my life but all of us and he will bring it to pass and not a second latee.

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Oct 20, 2018 10:10:09   #
jcboy3
 
Photopro wrote:
Cb handle photopro and I'm working toward becoming a pro shooting pro football.I have one problem the equipment to catch the action is expensive and I don't have thatl kind of money.I would like to hear of alternative ways of catching the action without sacrificing.quality. Any advice would be appreciated


You could run out on the field.

Seriously, if you want to become a pro photographer and shoot pro football, you need a lot more than the expensive equipment (that you will need); you need experience and connections. It's a job, not a hobby.

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Oct 20, 2018 10:11:31   #
RolandDieter
 
Do you have any idea of who your market or customers will be? Just loving football (which I assume you do) and liking photography isn't enough. You have to be at least as good as your competitors (yes, you will have competitors) and get to known and be trusted by your buyers. Your competitors, by the way, already are known and have a relationship with the customers. Too often people think buying the right stuff and then pressing a shutter will launch them, but it is a naive and expensive road to failure. If you are going into this knowing what you are doing there is a chance of success. Flickwet's suggestion of starting with a 4/3 and seeing how well you do and how others judge your work will tell you whether or not to invest in the gear you would then need to try it competitively. And keep in mind that the most important consideration is that you will be competing.

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Oct 20, 2018 10:39:13   #
Toby
 
Notorious T.O.D. wrote:
Pro is an interesting term. My son has won two Top Sportsman drag racing PDRA world championships and races for money. He has raced at least 30 PDRA events and won 3 events. 3 event wins puts him at the top level, so roughly 1 in 10 winning percentage. In those 30 races he has gone to 7 or 8 final rounds and only won 3. These guys at this level are that good...anyone can beat you any round. You only have to win 4 rounds of eliminations to win an event. How hard could that be it’s like winning 4 coin tosses in a row, well it’s damn hard. I don’t define him as a pro even though he can kick a lot of ass. But to me a pro not only has exceptional skills but earns their living from the activity. My point, top level is very tough and competitive...

I know a fair number of pro photographers and some darn good non pros. They have very good to great equipment but they also have a vision of where and how to get the shot the other pros didn’t. So you need to have $20-$60K of equipment over time to be a pro sports shooter. You better love long hours in harsh conditions. You better study great sports shooters and shoot a lot and not just pros but joes too. Check out shooters like Steven Wilson, his son Dallas who has a bright future most likely. Joe McHugh and one who I think is among the top, Mark J Rebilas on web and Facebook. Good luck...it’s hard but doable I’d you work hard enough... but I think there are easier ways to make a living.
Pro is an interesting term. My son has won two To... (show quote)


So right. My Dad used to say "if you are good at something you don't need to tell people, they will figure it out". It's not what you think you are but what others think. If I look closely at nearly all of the photographers that I know that call them selves "Pro" they have a spouse supporting them. They are fooling themselves.

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Oct 20, 2018 11:06:36   #
Notorious T.O.D. Loc: Harrisburg, North Carolina
 
Having lived in the technology and high tech world for nearly 40 years I will tell you that the technology is available to anyone with the money...with some extreme exceptions perhaps. So if you have the money to buy great photography equipment that is great. That only makes you an owner of the current technology which of course is also a moving target in some ways. It doesn’t make you a good, great or pro photographer. I have also seen photographers with less than the best gear shoot great stuff that people love. They have an eye for it and that certainly helps, but it can be developed too. Some just have natural gifts for things. My son is that way with driving machines and racing. It is a gift.


jcboy3 wrote:
You could run out on the field.

Seriously, if you want to become a pro photographer and shoot pro football, you need a lot more than the expensive equipment (that you will need); you need experience and connections. It's a job, not a hobby.

Reply
Oct 20, 2018 11:27:43   #
leftj Loc: Texas
 
Photopro wrote:
Cb handle photopro and I'm working toward becoming a pro shooting pro football.I have one problem the equipment to catch the action is expensive and I don't have thatl kind of money.I would like to hear of alternative ways of catching the action without sacrificing.quality. Any advice would be appreciated


You're kidding right?

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Oct 20, 2018 11:28:17   #
E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada
 
Let's be positive. If you are going to embark on a career in ANY field the first thing to do is assess your talents and knowledge and APTITUDE for the job. The next step is to pursue the education, self teaching, formal training, apprenticeship, study and practice etc- whatever ways and means are at your disposal. The education is required to apprise you of the aspects of the job that you are not fully conversant with.

If you have knowledge of the SPORT that you intend photographing- that's a plus in your favor. Sports photographers need to be able to anticipate the action and shoot at the peak of that action. Then there are the physical attributes that are required. You need to have good reflexes and move quickly and easily, oftentimes with fairly bukey equipment. Expert camera handling is mandatory, there is no time to fumble with equipment- you have to be in full command of all your gear.

The there is the technical savvy- are you familiar with all the camera operations as to control of exposure, depth of field, operating with long (telephoto and zoom ) lenses, and the shutter speed needed to freeze action according to your camera position in relation to the trajectory of that action? You have to understand lighting. You need to contend with many out-of-doors and fluctuating weather and lighting condition and contrasts- or lack thereof. Some indoor venues are lighted for TV- that's easy but some are not. You have to adjust for white balance, sometimes with really wacky mixed light. How's your editing skills? Some sports assignments require are editing on site and are transmitted to the publication.

Artistic ability? Sports photojournalism is a highly competitive field. Many publications no longer maintain staff photographers and are outsourcing assignments to the best shooters. Nowadays, what with digital photography and many automated camera features, anyone with a bit of technical savvy can get "pictures". The ones that have the most impact and sailability also show good composition, and other aesthetics that give them the "edge".

Marketing and business abilities? Unless you are employed by a league, team or publication, you are in business for yourself. You need to be able to network, know the market, seek out assignments and manage your expenses and business dealings.

Equipment- You don't need the ultimate- crazy expensive top-of-the line everything but you do need good. durable, reliable gear. You will need a least 2 camera bodies- for fast shooting withou having to change lenses and the second body is also your spare in case of malfunction. A selection of lenses, perhaps zooms of overlapping focal lengths: Obviously, you can walk out on the field during play, so telephoto focal lengths are a basic requirement but you will also need some norma and wide angle lenses for PR shots, award presentations, all over view of the field and the crowds and team groups. You will need some relatively fast lenses for low light situations.You may need some electronic flash gear for indoor work when flash is permitted. You will need some support gear a solid tripod, a monopod, and a sturdy camera bag to protect and transport you gear.

So..this is not written to discourage you- it's just a realistic view of the job. I am a commercial photographer by profession but at one time I shot news for a major city daily newspaper. I had experience with many aspects of the job- political stuff, fires, accidents,riots, social page stuff etc. but not ALL the various sports that were ongoing in the city. I had shot baseball, basketball and boxing but never even attended a hockey game. There is was in Montreal, the NHL capital of the world at the time and I did not know a puc from a bagel. Fortunately, I had the opportunity to shadow the guys on the staff that were well immersed in the sport and they taught me the ropes- I also had to study the game, the rules, the plays, the player and their numbers etc. So...if you coud network with an experienced pro and have an opportunity to observe and do some basic shooting- that would be awesome.

As I alluded to- professional photography is a BUSINESS so a significant investment is needed to get started.

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