Enter My New Photo Contest: “Shoot on the Sidelines With Scott & Mike”
Aug. 3
1:26 am
If you’ve ever dreamed of shooting a big game from down on the sidelines, have I got an awesome contest for you! It’s the brainchild of my buddy (sports shooter and famous guest blogger here, Mike Olivella), and well.. you just gotta watch the video below and you’ll see why you just gotta enter.
It’s free to enter, so if you want more details and the official rules, here’s the link to the flickr Group where you can upload your contest entry photo. We’ll be picking our winner in less than three weeks!
I hope to see you, Sept. 12th shooting on the slidelines alongside me and Mike (surrounded by 82,000+ screaming fans) as the Florida State Seminoles host the Jacksonville State Gamecocks. Good luck everybody!
I’d love to enter. But I have a feeling that the true title of this competition is “Shoot on the Sideslines With Scott & Mike if you live in America”…?
Is this open to Canadians as well or only US residents?
Wow! You weren’t kidding – talk about a kick butt contest! And at a perfect time of year, just as we are entering the Fall Football Festivities for not only college but pro too! What a great and exciting thing for some lucky guy or gal – good luck to all the entrants!
hey scott, you should come out to LA and shoot the USC Trojans. and not only the team, but the marching band too! (i’m a member of the band)
What a wonderful opportunity for some lucky shooter. Scott, is this only available to US citizens. I would love to enter, and would pay my own fair from AUS to learn some secrets from the pros, however is it open to everyone?
Thanks,
–Steve
Hi Stephen:
It’s open to everybody no matter where you live.
-Scott
Hey Scott! You mentioned we would be getting good glass to shoot in the game, but what about the camera? Would the glass (lens) work with any camera? I have a Nikon D40. Thanks!!
Wow! What a contest. Off to tell hubby to enter.
Access to amateur sport in the UK is OK but it really doesn’t give the same opportunites as the pro games:-(
Access to pro games in the UK is almost a closed shop unless you have the right contacts or are accredited.
Can’t wait to enter my shot.
Scott could you tell us a little bit about the way you have the photos hanging behind you in the video it looks really cool.
Hey Scott,
Is it open to every one or just for those in US?
I’d love to enter. But I have a feeling that the true title of this competition is “Shoot on the Sideslines With Scott & Mike if you live in America”…? x2
Scott said while answering a previous question that it does not matter where you live. The other guy was in Australia.
Another great contest. But maybe you should spell check your headlines.
….very funny video – love that , unfortunately i’m from europe !
Great concept! A wonderful opportunity for the average photog.
Bob
(Boston)
Scott,
Will you let me use one of your big lenses?
That’s cool, are the prints in your office unframed and hanging on a rail from clips?
I had the same question! Wondering what kind of system that is or if there is a specific brand of rail etc.
Hi Gang:
Those rails are from IKEA. When I get to the office, I’ll go look up the exact name, but they’re very inexpensive, and since the images are just clipped up there, I can swap out new one anytime in just seconds.
-Scott
Yes, that was the first thing I noticed too! That looks like a great way to display photos, and apparently (from Scott’s post below) an easy way to swap them out!
OK, the little IKEA shelves are called “Klang” but I brought mine in the physical store location—-I don’t think it’s available online, so you’ll have to head to your local IKEA.
Hope that helps.
-Scott
I sure it will only applies too north America
you must see the process and time it takes to get a VISA for USA in South Africa
NS
Good Morning to all.
I will be posting additional info here and on the Flickr site as time passes to fill you in on developing details. One thing I just learned is that game time has been set for 6:00 pm Saturday, September 12. That means Scott and I will pick you up at your hotel at 3:00 pm to head over to the stadium to check in and pick up our sideline badges. We’ll then head up to the press box (on the 9th floor) for our pre-game buffet in the press box which overlooks the field. The three of us will share a table with other media representatives and photographers covering the game.
Oooohh! This sounds like a dream photo opportunity! And a game against our local Gamecocks (another W for FSU!). Now, the hard part is which photo to choose.
Oh, I just noticed that you used one of my photos in your intro video! The one with you and Matt. Thanks!
This is such a wonderful idea!
I hope I have a chance. I have not done much sports photography, but I want to, and would relish this opportunity!
What a great contest. I was already picking out my image to enter when the no working pros line dropped.
Is that that is no working pros in any field or just sports photography?
Alan
I leave that kind of decision to el-Scott-O.
First and foremost, I want this to be an opportunity for those who have always wanted a chance to be where some of us are lucky to be. However, I recognize that one kind of pro photography doesn’t necessarily give one the opportunity to shoot a college football game fro the sidelines. Scott will have to weigh in on this one.
I totally understand.
I get to shoot things that many people can’t so I understand the thrill of getting to do that.
What a great idea and kudos for putting it together.
Contest sounds fantastic! Hey Scott… Off topic but any chance you’d consider creating some sort of softcover coffee table book (Mpix maybe?) with the 900+ winning shots being full page images with city and photog listed. Maybe some of the moolah goes to a charity (the Kenyan Orphanage comes to mind). I would certainly pay $20 or $30 for that, even if my shot wasn’t among them.
Hey, is this limited to Nikon shooters? I know Nikon has some great lenses but I doubt their glass would fit on my Canon body …
Nope. Any inferior camera equipment is fine.
LOL
Scott,
That is my anniversary so I will not even attempt to enter. Even though I am a die-hard Gator, the experience of shooting with you & Mike would cross rivalry lines. I was wondering though, what the age limit is?? Is a 15 year old too young? My son has some awesome minor league baseball photos.
Joe
Sorry, Joe. I can’t take a 15 year old onto the sidelines. Please understand that there is a certain level of danger associated with being on the field and I can’t take responsibility for a child getting hurt. In addition, the individual will be required to travel to Tallahassee, stay in a hotel for 2 nights and transport him or herself around town to/from the airport, for some meals, etc. The contest has to be limited to folks 21 years of age and over.
Mike,
Totally understandable. I just thought I would ask. I’d love to enter myself but I wouldn’t be available that day.
Joe
I don’t understand the 21 and up rule, especially considering the fact that most of the players aren’t even 21, and there are usually young kids on the sidelines holding balls, and the occasional teenager who’s there for one reason or another. But from a legal standpoint wouldn’t 18 and up be sufficient? Any 18-20 year old could certainly be responsible for themselves both on and off the field during the event, right?
With all due respect, Mike, ultimately, I will be responsible for the conduct of the individual that I bring onto the sidelines. No disrespect to those younger than 21, but I have a job to and I cannot jeopardize it. I would like to think that there are many 18 and 19 year olds that would not be a problem, but I cannot take the chance. Sorry you disagree.
I can respect that, and if it would jeopardize your job then I see why you would take that extra precaution.
I just thought of something. After the winner returns home, if he or she would like to send me a disc with an image or images (300dpi, no smaller than 8X10), I will submit your disc to FSU Sports Information in your name and your photo(s) may be used by FSU for posting on the official FSU Arhletics web site. The winner would retain all copyright and ownership of the image(s), but it would be a way for the winner to have a photo or photos published!
Wow, it does look like on of the greatest contest ever made for football & photography fans! Best of luck to everyone, but I have to say I’d love to win this one and I’ll try hard to pick my best shot for this contest!
Way to go Scott and Mike!
Great contest and good luck to all. I’m in the UK and the chances of me being able to get to Talahassee at short notice on that date is zero so I won’t enter. Having said that I would love to receive some comments on a photo I took “from the sidelines”. Anybody know of an alternate Flickr group with the same focus on sport as this compo?
Scott, Just when I thought you’ve done it all, you find some new way off getting your followers excited and enthused about photography. This is a wonderfull contest, just like your worldwide photowalk. I get goose bumps just reading about it and imagining being there chilling with you guys at the stadium, rubbing elbos with other photogs and shooting right there on the field. WOW!!!! What a great experience that would be.
I learned sports photography on the job, for my college paper, in the 50s, with a Speed Graphic. Sat under the basket at Big 8 basketball games with maybe a dozen film holders for the whole game. After the game I had to develop the film, print a few of the best, and run them down to the paper so they could scan them through the machine that made the thing for the press run. How many photographs will you guys take of a game? How would you do if you could only make twenty exposures? No long lens either. The sports editor of the “Colorado Daily” liked my stuff; always had one or two in the paper after every game. How many gigapixels in a sheet of film?
Peter, guess what. I shot for the FSU school paper and the local mullet wrapper (our local term of endearment for the local paper) in the early to mid Seventies. The only difference between what you did and what I would do is the camera – I used a Nikon F with the photomic meter. I would shoot 2-3 rolls of Tri-X pushed to ASA 1600 (what’s with this ISO crap, anyway?) and as soon as the game was over, I’d run over to the darkroom, develop the film, make contact sheets, pick 3-4 images and make 5X7 prints to turn in before I headed home.
At a football game today I will shoot at least 600 images and delete some 100-200 as I shoot. No doubt today’s equipment makes sports photography much easier – no film to run out after 36 shots, auto focus and image stabilized lenses, etc. but somehow, we managed to get enough good, crisp shots. You just had to be on top of your game.
Oh Boy….just what we working press need… are MORE people on the sidelines “oggling”
and not working.We have enough problems with season tickers and Alumni.
Why dont you let then use your 600mm’s lens and they can have the whole last row of the upper deck and you get a solid background.
Signed
OMG
That’s the spirit, Bryan. But I wouldn’t be doing what I’m doing if someone hadn’t given me a break that got me access to the same vantage point as the pros. Maybe, just maybe, there’s someone out there who makes the cover of Sports illustrated one day and got to that level after starting out with the chance to shoot this game. I’d love to be able to say that I knew them when…
I love that you have a clip of the Stanford-Cal game from my college days! I was there and it was insane (and heartbreaking for me the Stanford gal!)
I was so about to enter until I saw the last paragraph; I’m not about to go photographing any FSU games, sorry. Let me know when you’re shooting a Gators game and I’ll submit my entry (and I’ll already be at those games anyway).
Can’t we all just get along, Mikey?
Wow ungrateful .
Mike & Scott thanks for the chance & thats all that needs to be said.
I’m sorry but i have to say this also. Mike & Scott don’t have to offer this chance at all. People if it’s not gonna work for you than move on. They are giving the winner so much for just submitting a photo. No cover charge !
Sorry, I wasn’t trying to be disrespectufl. I am a die-hard Gators fan (since I’m a UF student) and wouldn’t want to miss a UF game to shoot an FSU game (even if it is against Troy). Though I don’t see how not entering for my own reasons is being ungrateful. I think the contest is an excellent idea and to anyone who enters I wish you the best of luck.
Ahh shucks… Just read that paragraph about the age. You wanna do this again in two years? Great idea Mike and Scott, I am excited for whomever gets this awesome opportunity.
Folks, don’t forget to check my blog (www.baselineshots.com) for updates and additional info. I will try to post something pertinent as often as I can to fill you in on developments as well as what to expect, etc. Today I will be doing something about what to wear given Tallahassee weather in August….I’ll try to do likewise on the Flickr site where I started a thread.
Last but not least, I simply cannot take credit for certain aspects of this contest as the generosity of Scott Kelby is what is really driving this thing. While Scott has been overly gracious in publicizing the contest as a joint thing between the two of us, I think you should know that all I did was ask Scott if his blog readers might be interested in coming to Tallahassee to shoot a game with us, and that a contest might be fun. I offered to provide my “assistant” credentials as a prize and suggested we do the dinner thing Friday night. Scott is the one who offered to pay for air fare, hotel, meals, lens rental, etc in order to make this something that would be available to anyone worldwide. When you add up what Scott has thrown in the pot just from a financial standpoint, you can see who you should really thank for this. Not to mention the chance for one of you to spend a couple of hours over dinner picking Scott’s brain – you can’t put a price tag on that.
Oh no Mike, if i win . I think ill be taking Scott’s brain home with me & hooking it up to my computer via FW 800 & have full access to ” The Most Awsome Photoshop Power Knowledge In The Universe ” Just kidding Mike dinner would do.
In quickly glancing over some of the photos entered on the Flickr site, I’m already seeing some “pros” entered (G. Dan Mitchell). From what Scott said in the video, pros (of any kind) are not allowed, and is meant for the “rest of us.” What screening process is going to take place to weed the sneaky pros from the list?
Fear not, KC. Pros are allowed to enter if they do not derive a certain amount of income as photographers. In any event, just because someone is a pro does not make them a better photographer. Just use your imagination and let your work speak for itself.
Hey Scott,
The folks over at Sports Shooter are a bit upset about the contest. http://www.sportsshooter.com/message_display.html?tid=33723 They appear to feel threatened. Personally, I think that it is a GREAT idea and I have entered my image. Thanks.
Ron
My, but how the green eyed monster of envy can make mere mortals into raving lunatics. I got to the site, but the thread has reached it’s maximum number of posts so I can’t comment. I guess there are a lot of wannabe’s who are threatened by the thought of somebody actually having a chance to stand right next to them and outshoot them. Instead of going off without fully understanding what this is all about, they’re simply showing their ignorance, selfishness and self importance.
The best part of the thread are the posts by someone who I have spent a lot of time with (Max Lashin), answering his questions, selling him an olde Nikon D2H for dirt so he could have a body that shot at 9 fps, giving him an old 28-70mm f2.8 lens as a gift to help him out, and even lending him my 300mm f2.8 lens so he could shoot a tennis tournament (I had my 400mm and my 200-400mm with me, so I didn’t need the 300mm). I remember just a couple of years ago when he didn’t know an f stop from a point and shoot. He used to shoot for the school paper but has moved to South Florida to finish school. Anyway, halfway through the finals of the tennis tournament, he set the lens with his camera body on a table that was leaning and the camera/lens fell to the concrete floor. The lens snapped off at the mount.
I’ll post something on my blog today to address the misinformation being spewed by these folks who obviously spend more time talking about being pros than actually being pros. They seem to be the ones most threatened by the likes of somebody else getting shots they are incapable of getting.
Mike,
Well stated and thanks for your reply. As you picked up, some sports shooters/pros are very frustrated with what is happening to the business but one needs to accept change, be creative and move on.
Ron
But you forgot to mention how you intimidated that young man into buying you a brand new lens instead of having it repaired even though you had insurance. Yes, he broke it, but you shoulder some responsibility for loaning it to him. In my book, the cost of the repair would have been appropriate. It took his entire semester’s college money to buy you a new lens.
Well…looks like you deleted my post so I’ll post again.
You neglected to say how you intimidated the young college student into buying you a brand new 300 2.8 instead of repairing the lens mount without telling him you had insurance. He did break it but you have some responsibility in that as you loaned it to him so I would think that for a kid with no money, the cost of the repair would be punishment enough instead of making him fork over over $3,000 of his college money for a brand new 300 2.8.
Cool, never done sports but I’ll watch the game for sure.
This is intended for any of those folks over at Sports Shooter.com who may visit this site and read this. I really don’t know where to start but here goes.
I was told by a couple of folks (and saw the post above) that a certain segment of people at that web site are extremely upset that one of you will get a chance to be with me on the sidelines for a football game. A thread was started and capped after it was filled, so I did not get a chance to correct all the B.S. that has been posted. After reading some of the stuff posted, my reaction is, my but there certainly are a lot of wannabe’s (defined as people who are legends in their own minds but in reality have nothing better to than spend hours TALKING photography on web sites – they’re obviously not working professionals or else they would not have time to spend pouring over web sites and passing themselves off as professionals – they’d be out shooting instead) who seem threatened by the prospect of an (whispered) “amateur” taking up space on what they consider to be their exclusive domain – the sidelines. Without having the facts, and without taking the time to read the specifics of the contest, and without knowing anything about my relationship with FSU, they have weighed in, casting aspersions at me, but mostly Scott Kelby for running the contest. So, let me set a few things straight for anyone who bothers to be interested by facts.
First, the contest was my idea. Contrary to the many posts at Sports Shooter deriding Scott for dreaming this up to satisfy his ego, I approached Scott and he signed on. Second, neither FSU, its athletic department, nor anyone associated with the school has anything to do with the contest. Third, for all of the wannabe’s that have nothing better to do than talk a good game as if they really are professionals, there’s no whining in sports photography. Deal with it. When was the last time a professional athlete got all bent out of shape because an “amateur” was playing alongside them? The Masters routinely invites amateurs to compete alongside pros. Pros go out of their way to help the amateurs out, not the least bit intimidated by the amateurs. Grow up, wannabe’s. If you’re threatened by the photos an “amateur” might take that will expose you for the fraud you may well be, you don’t belong on the sidelines.
For the record, I receive 2 sets of credentials for every FSU game I shoot. One set is for me, the other for (and I’ll go real slow for the wannabe’s here) ANYONE I CARE TO BRING WITH ME TO SERVE AS MY ASSISTANT). That individual is typically a client of my law firm or a friend with whom I choose to share a sideline experience. As long as I have them under my wing and make sure they understand the do’s and dont’s of being with me, FSU trusts my judgment and allows me to bring whoever I choose. Now, maybe some of the wannabe’s can’t deal with the fact that some of us are valued enough as photographers to be given a perk like that, and for whatever reason, they were not able to get credentialed or they have to lug their gear all by themselves. My condolences. But please don’t pretend to have any say in what I do with my credentials or who I choose to be my assistant.
I broke back into sports photography because someone in the FSU Sports Information Department gave me, a non-working “amateur”, a chance – a floor credential for a basketball game. That led to where I am today, which is really nowhere – just one of the many guys who gets to live a dream by being up close and personal with sporting events. I would love to be able to give someone else that very same opportunity and that’s why I approached Scott with this contest. It’s not about Scott’s ego, but it sure seems to be about yours, wannabe’s.
Now, feel free to whine away.
Mike,
Where do I start?
I would NEVER write such a response in a public forum because of my ethics but since you’ve put yourself out there in such a public way, I feel it’s necessary and appropriate.
Your arrogance is unbelievable but just what the working pros in Tallahassee have come to expect from you.
The ONLY reason your working the sidelines is because you give away your work to the university in exchange for credentials. You, good sir, are NOT a working professional but one of the wannabes that you talk down about.
On the slight occasion that you have been paid to shoot, you undercut the true working professionals so you get the job because you cannot compete with the working pros on the sideline or court. Your business skills, or star struck desire, is hurting the professional photographers that you aspire to be. There have been more complaints filed against you and the way you work with the FSU SID than you can believe but they continue to give you credentials because you are free.
I would challenge you that if you want to TRULY call yourself a working professional then ditch the day job and try to pay your bills with your sports shooting talent. My definition of wannabe is someone with a day job and has to give their photos away to get published because nobody will pay the going rate for them. You run around getting in in the way of the working pros while you are wearing a t-shirt with “Photographer” in large print on the back. OMG!
You never worked for the local newspaper (Tallahassee Democrat) EVER! I know this for an absolute fact. You might have had a photo or two published in it but it is because you gave it to them for free ($5 is free) but even then, I doubt it. Their staff photographers over at the Democrat know you all to well.
Sir, you ego is huge because you are one of the people who’s a working pro in your own mind to borrow your words. Your work is questionable at best and I’m sorry to say you are a liar. This contest is to feed your own ego.
Scott i want know how to get the picture to you. i need the e-mail or something. I am from Ghana
Mike!!!!!!
Remind me to buy you a beer, or coffee, or whatever kind of drink you want!!!!! I was absolutely ecstatic to see this post! The biggest part that got to me on it was the fact that the entire contest was thought to be about greed or ego. Anyone who knows you two would know that it was the furthest thing from it.
Thanks for saying what so many were thinking.. That was just too cool!
RC
I take photo for both my enjoyment of photography and the love of the sport!
My reward is not money I do it for free. Other fans can enjoy my photos if not at the game that while there is a very limited following of the team or the sport which is only really played in Ireland.. When the number of fans is less than the players at some of the games I can get close to the action. This is good with my limited dated equipment. So a chance to learn from those at the coalface in front of 80000 fans is not one to be missed.
Hi Scott,
You could add subtitle on your all video. The deaf and hard of hearing people can watch your video.
I think this is a great idea that i hope you do on a annual bases its will be a shame if i won because i can’t go in that day as it’s my bucks show and im getting married the following week but keep up the god work and i hope you do more comps in the future with prizes. It would also be great to see you select some photos that are sent to you and a suggestion on how to improve them.
-Dene
hello,
maybe i am missing something but, how can the deadline be prior to the date of the game one would be shooting? Aug 24 deadline, but game is Sept 12?
Confused..
thanks!
PS – I graduated fro FSU and will be avail that date..
when I hear from you I will apply.
thx
some of you people are very ungrateful,
Scott and Mike do no have to do this.
but they did, so stop complaining.
Scott and Mike help out the average guy so much, eveyday i learn something from them.
thanks Scott and Mike,
keep up the good work.
hmmmm I like this post but I would love to see some on how to save on construction costs in this tough market
Thin-film PV modules use very little semiconductor material. ,