Photoshop Insider

Shooting The Bucs vs. Cardinals On Field

By Scott on Monday, November 5th, 2007 at 1:36 am | updates.

This Sunday I got to shoot my home team, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, in my home stadium (Raymond James Stadium). First the big news; we won!!! (17 - 10). A Bucs win is always something to celebrate in my house, but getting to shoot them on field during a win was just an absolute blast (of course, had they lost, it still would have been a blast, just a smaller blast). Click on the slideshow above for larger views of the images.

Perhaps the coolest part was that I had incredible access because I had an “on-field” pass that got me out there with the players (I was even at a midfield for the coin toss) I pretty much had access to anywhere I wanted to go, and I went pretty much…well…everywhere. What a blast!

For the game I shot two different bodies that were with me all the time; For the wide shots, I used a Canon 5D with a 24-70mm f/2.8 lens, and for the long stuff, I shot a new Canon 1D Mark III (what an incredibly sweet camera, by the way!), with a 400mm f/4 with Image Stabilization, supported with a Gitzo monopod. It was a load to carry around, but it was absolutely worth it!

All the long shots were taken at f/4, at 200 ISO, to get a very shallow depth of field, and the wide shots where also at 200 ISO but mostly at f/5.6 or f/8 to get more detail in the background. All the shots were imaged on Lexar digital film.

A big thanks to Bucs Team Photographer Paul Abell, who is just a terrific shooter (and Lightroom User), for his gracious hospitality, and to his wonderful assistant Patrick who helped make sure I didn’t get leveled by a 280 lb. linebacker. Also thanks to Paul and Dave Carlson at Canon for the two photos of me you see in the slideshow above.

Comment form for this post

^#1

awesome shots, scott!

just curious - did you shoot them in RAW? i’m interested to know because a lot of sports shooters usually shoot in JPG. Also, why’d you choose ISO 200 vs ISO 100?

btw - got a copy of your 7 point system book today and I’m excited to try them out. will try to post before/after photos in my blog when i get the chance.

Mike Lao on November 5th, 2007 at 5:06 am

^#2

Fantastic shots. I loved image Bucs-191. The reflection on the helmet is just incredible.

Dogan Eskiyoruk on November 5th, 2007 at 7:01 am

^#3

Hi Scott, I’d also like to know why you chose to go with 200 ISO, could you enlighten us (no pun intended)?

msacks on November 5th, 2007 at 9:06 am

^#4

Great stuff Scott! Real quick….do you prefer shooting on Lexar? Do you find the cards more dependable than its competition? or? Looking forward to meeting you in NY tomorrow.

Peter James Zielinski on November 5th, 2007 at 9:35 am

^#5

You Dawg,
It’s amazing what a little access can do but total access ROCKS!!! I am so jealous! Great shots! See you in a couple of weeks.
Jeff

Jeff Revell on November 5th, 2007 at 9:50 am

^#6

Scott,

I am interested in three things. 1) Did or do you use your seven point system on these photos and if you do HOW? 2) Do you shoot in RAW and post process in Lightroom for these incredible sports shots? and three, What is that loupe hanging around your neck in your photo?

Tom Q

Thomas Quinn on November 5th, 2007 at 9:59 am

^#7

I recognize some of the techniques from your Sevin Points. I am on Chapter 15. Will the cheerleader shots be going up soon?

Al Marsh on November 5th, 2007 at 10:12 am

^#8

Congratulations, you’ve finally seen the light and thrown away that Nikon junk.

Bob Bidurski on November 5th, 2007 at 10:25 am

^#9

Hey Scott - I am curious as to why you have done away with the Nikon? From what I can gather you have always been a Nikon man - what made you move?

Mark Allen on November 5th, 2007 at 10:58 am

^#10

I just wanted to say, besides what great shots you took, THANK YOU for the slide.com reference. What a cool app! You continue to be a wealth of awesome tricks and information, even incidentally!

Jessica Kupferman on November 5th, 2007 at 12:02 pm

^#11

Scott:

I wanted to let you know that it was a real joy having you around yesterday…

I see you came away with some nice shots… I am really glad you enjoyed it!

Everyone on our photo team could not say enough about how awesome it was to have you there.

When our director of security found out from me this morning that you were there, he almost flipped. His reply… “the Scott Kelby.” He is an Apple guy and amateur photographer that really enjoys reading your books and such.

Have a safe trip and stay in touch…

Busy week… Team photo on Wednesday, but I will enjoy our weekend off, as we are traveling back to GA for hopefully a great day in Athens –– got to shoot my DAWGS and Auburn this weekend.

Paul Abell
Bucccaneers Team Photographer

Paul Abell on November 5th, 2007 at 12:26 pm

^#12

The ‘loupe’ round Scott’s neck is for putting against the LCD on the back of the camera so that light is not a problem.

Glenn Piper on November 5th, 2007 at 1:19 pm

^#13

Hi Scott,

Great pics. I only wish I could get on the field during a football game, college/pro either would be fine. I shot NASCAR on Sunday from my seats. Tonight I get to go courtside for a small D1 College in Oklahoma that is in the first year of basketball for the school. In fact, it is the first home game ever. I sure hope I can get some decent shots. I doubt they will be as good as yours, but maybe I’ll get lucky.

See ya and keep inspiring,

Mike

Mike on November 5th, 2007 at 2:19 pm

^#14

These are really incredible. I love the unique approach you’ve given. I’m so used to seeing the same-ol sports shots. These are a welcome change.

But BOO on your Bucs for giving my Titans one of their only losses this year.

Glen on November 5th, 2007 at 2:41 pm

^#15

Hey Scottt,
Great shots!!!
BTW ………………that Canon gear looks good on you!!

Cesar Palacio on November 5th, 2007 at 4:57 pm

^#16

I’ll 2nd the call for cheerleader shots

Scotty on November 5th, 2007 at 5:44 pm

^#17

Scott,
I shoot football as well (pop warner…not quite the NFL) and would like to know…
1. why ISO 200?
2. Do you recommend shooting in aperture priority?
3. Did you use IS with the monopod?
4. Assuming you are using AF-C …what AF area mode ?

Any advise on this is greatly appreciated….GREAT photos!!!
BTW……you won’t need the 5D once the new Nikon’s are shipped!!!

Kevin Zdyb on November 5th, 2007 at 6:14 pm

^#18

Hi Scott,

Just got your 7-Point book for Photoshop CS3 — It makes sense to me — Where do I find the lesson images to download? Anxious to get started.

Please reply ASAP,
Diane G.

Diane Goodman on November 5th, 2007 at 7:32 pm

^#19

Hey guys… I hope I am not stepping out of line by answering questions directed for Scott, but I thought I would answer a few of the questions that were asked in regards to shooting sports specifically. I know he is a busy guy, so I hope this helps…

A noticed a few of you asked about ISO 200.

This is simply a starting point… I know that on a generally sunny day, I can usually set my exposure to ISO 200, f4 and 1/2000 of a second to get going. At times it may vary, but generally, this is a good starting point. If I am shooting backlit, then I will always shoot with an aperture of 2.8 and an ISO of at least 400. On the newer bodies, I would rather have a faster shutter speed than I would a lower ISO. For that reason, I begin at 200 ISO and make any necessary changes. Yesterday, I was shooting a 600 f4, so If I had shot anything backlit, I would have been shooting at times with an ISO of about 800. Once again, I do my best to keep my shutter speed on day games at 1/2000 of a second. Anything less than that, and I can see movement somewhere.

Shooting on a sunny day can get very tough to keep you highlights under control and shadows from being too dark (think 1 pm game, dark skin and shadows in helmets from the sun) –– games like that, backlit is my favorite choice. Shooting backlit, you generally have nicer backgrounds great mid tones and amazing specular highlights.

As far as IS goes, I rarely use it… When shooting at shutter speeds of 1/2000 of a second, the monopod is really only a tool to keep from throwing out your back and wearing your arms down over the 3 hours or so a game is going on. Theoretically, you could hand hold the 400 if you wanted to. I only use IS when I am shooting at shutter speeds that could pick up camera movement. I hand hold my 300 2.8 IS.

For AF, I use single point, center. I have played around with them all, but 99% of the time, I am using the center. Other times, I manually focus a portrait or such if I need to shoot quickly… In sports, you often times do not have time to point your center focus point at the eyes and reframe. I made that mistake far too many times, so I learned to manual focus. If you do it, more times than not, you will miss the shot… too many people are moving around and if the athletes see you, they will generally move or turn their head.

I hope all this helps… If any of you have any other sports related questions, I will be happy to answer them for you. You can shoot me an email though my web site.

Paul Abell
Buccaneers Team Photographer

Paul Abell on November 5th, 2007 at 8:07 pm

^#20

Hey Paul - thanks for summarizing everything! That helps us a lot! Just curious - why start at 200 ISO in this situation (bright/sunny day) instead of 100 ISO?

Mike on November 6th, 2007 at 5:04 am

^#21

Hey Scott,
Great pictures! And good that your team won that day also.
I don’t think that you would like to share pictures of your team if the had lost the game. Am I right?
But… I loved the pictures anyway… great job

Paulo

Paulo Jordao on November 10th, 2007 at 3:17 am

^#22

Hi Scott,
I was wondering how to contact people like you, dave cross, matt kloskowski etc. so I’d really like to know your’s and their’s email addresses.

Brandon (A.K.A. PhotoshopKid) on November 12th, 2007 at 4:23 pm

^#23

Nice work there, Scott!

One thing though…that’s a 400 f/2.8 lens, not f/4. Canon does not even make a 400 f/4IS lens…but if they did it would be a lot smaller/lighter!

Alan

Alan B. on November 16th, 2007 at 12:44 pm