What’s In My Bag?
Most of my jobs and assignments fall into a couple of different categories:
Event photography - Sports photography
This is what is in my bag when I have a sports assignment:
Lens Selections -
Sports
Indoor – Basketball, Hockey, Volleyball, Indoor Track
The lens requirements are based on your distance from action.
Close to the action – Basketball, volleyball
Positioning – Basketball – Endline
24-70mm f/2.8, 70-200mm f/2.8
Positioning – Volleyball – Near the net – one floor or bleachers
24-70mm f/2.8, 70-200mm f/2.8
From a distance – Hockey, Indoor Track
Outdoors – Baseball. Football. Outdoor Track, Cross Country, Soccer, Rugby, Tennis
The lens requirements are based on your distance from action.
Close to the action – Football, Soccer, Rugby, Tennis
Positioning – Football and Rugby – 10 yards in front or behind line of scrimmage along the sidelines or in endzone when team in the redzone
Under the lights - 24-70mm f/2.8, 70-200mm f/2.8
Daylight – 18-400mm f/3.5 – 6.3, 200-500mm f/5.6
Positioning – Soccer – if you are covering a specific team along the sidelines just over midfield, if just covering the game along the sidelines and closer to the goal of the better team or spend some time along the goal line close to the goal
Under the lights - 24-70mm f/2.8, 70-200mm f/2.8
Daylight – 18-400mm f/3.5 – 6.3, 200-500mm f/5.6
Positioning – Tennis – if allowed on the courts well past the endline on the side opposite the player are covering or the best player, cover the net if there is sufficient room.
On endline 70-200mm f/2.8
At net 24-70mm f/2.8
From a distance – Baseball, Outdoor Track, Cross Country
Positioning – Baseball – Behind 1st base (left-handed pitcher, right-handed batter), Behind 3rd base (right-handed pitcher, left-handed batter), behind scree at home plate
behind home plate 24-70mm f/2.8 or 70-200mm f/2.8
behind 1st or 3rd base – 18-400mm f/3.5 – 6.3 or 200-500mm f/5.6
Positioning – Outdoor Track – Running events (around the track, starting / finishing line), Field events (around the pits for pole vault, high jump, long jump and triple jump, or beyond landing area for hammer, shot, discuss and javelin)
Behind landing area for throwing events – 18-400mm f/3.5-6.3 or 200-500mm f/5.6
All other events – 24-70mm f/2.8 or 70-200mm f/2.8
Positioning – Cross Country – Try and position yourself to where you have a minimum of 3 opportunities to be in the vicinity of the runners. Often the starting line and finish line are in the same location. Ask tournament officials for a location that you can be where you may have multiple times where runners pass, but you must be close enough to the finish line to insure you will be there for the finish.
18-400mm f/3.5-6.3 or 200-500mm f/5.6
Camera Selections -
Sports
Indoor - Basketball, Hockey, Volleyball, Indoor Track
The camera(s) requirements are based on your distance from action.
Close to the action – Basketball, volleyball
Full frame to take advantage of low light capabilities when additional reach is not required
From a distance – Hockey, Indoor Track
Crop Sensor (AP-C) - While it would be nice to have a camera that performs well in low light (and fast action), the benefit of the additional reach if you are using an f/2.8 is important
Outdoors – Baseball. Football. Outdoor Track, Cross Country, Soccer, Rugby, Tennis
The camera(s) requirements are based on your distance from action.
Close to the action – Football, Soccer, Rugby, Tennis
Full Frame for Tennis
Crop Sensor (AP-C) for Football, Soccer and Rugby
From a distance – Baseball, Outdoor Track, Cross Country
Crop Sensor (AP-C) to take advantage of the additional reach
Other Equipment, Accessories and Last Minute Preparations -
Flash – Inappropriate for sporting events
Teleconverter – Can be helpful especially in turning a full frame into a crop sensor equivalent for outdoor events.
Batteries – Fully charged in each camera and one extra for each camera unless they use the same battery. Be sure to check battery status before leaving for event. Preferably by verifying through menu option.
Lens Cloths – Clean lenses prior to inserting into camera or camera bag. Clean both front and rear lens. If you are using a DSLR clean the eyepiece, the LED screen, and the mirror before packing. With a mirrorless clean eyepiece, the LED Screen, and check that sensor is clean by taking off lens, turning on camera and using the eyepiece to locate any dirt, dust or hair.
Rocket Blower – For mirrorless cameras, while cleaning can take place prior to leaving, the blower can take care of senor cleaning issues on location.
Camera carrying system – Be sure to take whatever you use to carry your camera(s) during game action. Whether it is a camera strap, a camera slider system, a holster system or carrier system you should have equipment to help carry a second camera or to give you some relief when there is time out in the game. Cameras can get heavy, especially with a long lens, during two hour contests.
Filters – Probably not necessary for outside events
Folding Chair – I have found a few instances where the use of a folding chair outweighed the inconvenience of carrying one around. I have used one a couple of times during soccer games where I plant myself just beyond midline. There usually are not many people on the sidelines, especially if you are on the side opposite the team benches. Sitting does give your shots a different perspective since you are closer to the ground.
Tripod / Monopod – I would not use a tripod for sporting events but would consider a monopod for bigger lenses.
2nd Camera – You should always have a 2nd camera closeby for a paying assignment. I tend to use 2 camera during an assignment so I can have 2 lenses to choose from, but even when I don’t need a second lens and backup camera is in my bag. If the extra weight is problematic, you can always leave it in your car.
Backup Storage Card – Always have a backup card with you. Many cameras have 2 cards slot, so you have may not need to have the extra card. With a one card system it is strongly recommended that you have the backup card handy.
Business Cards – Why? Why not! You never know when a business opportunity will happen and it would be nice to be able to show off your website, flickr account, instagram account, etc. Vistaprint is very reasonably priced. I have multiple business cards depending on the type of work you are being asked about. I have a generic card that contains my name, cellphone, email and website that has one of my favorite landscape photo, plus I have a card with my favorite sports action photo with the same information as the other card. If you also do portraits, weddings, etc. it won’t be overly expensive to buy cards for each.
Pen and Paper – Just in case.
Car Charger/Power Bank – a way to charge a battery just in case.
Final Thoughts -
Before leaving you should (don’t wait until you are location just in case you are delayed in arriving) do the following -
Set your shutter speed and aperture you are most likely to use (you may need to have your lens attached).
Set your camera(s) to auto ISO and make sure your maximum ISO makes sense.
If you are using a mirrorless camera and need to use Silent Photography, set it now.
Make sure your camera is on AF and not MF and that it is set to Continuous focus.
Check exposure compensation and reset to 0.
Set your Metering, White Balance, RAW/Jpg, Large/Medium/Small file size, and make sure your numbering system is not ready to pass 9999.