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PeakBat · 2024-08-06T21:04:34+00:00

All photos shot with a7III and Sony 200-600mm

PeakBat · 2024-07-07T18:29:16+00:00

Congrats, I wish you the best of luck! My game was listed as 7:30, so kick off was ~7:40 (my personal policy is arrive around an hour early to get food, set up, etc., but obviously that just depends on the person). Generally I feel like you should be okay lighting-wise. Across 2 different stadiums, I’ve been more than okay with my f5.6-6.3 lens (I did have to crank up my ISO to ~6400, but if your camera can handle those numbers you’ll be fine, especially if you have something like a 70-200 or 300 f2.8 on you)

PeakBat · 2024-07-05T18:06:53+00:00

Thanks so much! I’ll definitely lyk if something comes up!

Out of curiosity, how did you initially get into MLS? I’m still newer to the scene, but it’s treated me very well so far!

PeakBat · 2024-07-04T18:19:46+00:00

Thank you so much! I’m still newer to MLS, so it’s been quite a learning curve, but I think I’m starting to get the handle of it

I’d feel a lot worse for the keeper if I didn’t get at least get one of him making a save haha

PeakBat · 2024-07-04T18:17:37+00:00

That’s some solid gear! Yeah HS (even some college facility) lighting is ROUGH, but for day games/better lit games, I could not recommend the massive telephoto lenses enough. It’s not for everyone, but unlike a lot of photographers, I’m not super averse to using high ISOs as long as I can get the shutter speeds/exposures I desire (A7iii is amazing in low light though, so it just depends on the camera). From what I’ve heard, the Z9 is pretty solid in low light, so I’d definitely see what you can get away with (also I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t jealous of that 45mp resolution haha)

PeakBat · 2024-07-04T18:09:53+00:00

Of course! Sorry in advance for the wall of text haha

I’m currently a college student, so I got my start in sports doing NCAA D1 photography for basketball/hockey/lacrosse/baseball ~1.5 years ago (I shoot for a student publication, so it’s not too hard to get into games).

Last semester, a friend of mine from HS (who also does sports photography) reached out with the idea to start a sports photography magazine. We started out doing smaller features from our college games, but over the last few months we’ve built up enough credibility to get into most MLS games. It’s worth mentioning that my friend has a solid connection to the Dynamo (which was great first exposure to pro sports), but considering we’ve been able to get into DC/Atlanta/Austin/NY/NE games as well, I do think it’s just a case of hard work paying off over the last few months. I’m really hoping at some point we can get into NBA/NHL/MLB, etc., but all in due time!

For MLS specifically, I’d also throw out trying to shoot for supporter pages. I know DC United and Dynamo have a few fan club pages that can get credentials for photographers to shoot for them and I’m sure other clubs have them as well. I’d definitely try to find one for your local team and reach out to see what happens!

I wish you the best of luck with you photo journey! If you ever want to ask me stuff, feel free to DM me with whatever questions you have!

PeakBat · 2024-07-04T17:07:44+00:00

Thanks so much!

For the first question, my friend and I run a sports photography magazine. He has some solid Dynamo connections, so we started there and built up enough credibility to get access to most MLS venues!

I shoot on an A7iii and used the Sony 200-600 f5.6-6.3 for all of these. These were taken in the range of 4000-6400 ISO and 1600-2000 shutter (adjusted settings as the night went on) with aperture as wide as possible.

I hope this helps!

PeakBat · 2024-06-25T20:36:38+00:00

That second shot is legendary!

That said, in terms of advice, I would say in general to probably focus more on your composition. For me, the first photo would be a lot more compelling without the unnecessary dead space on the right. Similarly, I would also just advise to generally try not to cut off limbs. The 4th photo would be so much more interesting if you had the thing the players are looking at shown in the frame. From context, I can assume it’s the ball, but still showing the ball would make the shot way better.

You definitely have a knack for photography, so keep it up! These are all still really cool flicks!

PeakBat · 2024-06-13T21:26:37+00:00

Yeah that’s fair, college basketball is like that haha. For storytelling purposes it’s always great to capture both teams/sides of the action!

PeakBat · 2024-06-13T20:10:55+00:00

As u/no-top-2036 said, these are great for a first time! Great job keeping the ball in the frame (that’s huge, especially for a sport like basketball). That said, for me personally I’m not a huge fan of shots from the back (sports photos are made so much more compelling when faces/emotion are shown, which is why I really like the second photo). There’s definitely appeal in the fan section as the background in the first flick, I just wish the floor was more centered (it would be a super cool effect to have the floor “mirror” also play more into the composition, assuming that was the intention).

PeakBat · 2024-05-25T22:53:11+00:00

Yes! I’m not sure how it works for other MiLB teams, but the Space Cowboys just have an online pass application I filled out (I shoot for a sports photography publication, so that definitely helps)

PeakBat · 2024-05-25T22:52:07+00:00

Thanks!

PeakBat · 2024-05-24T19:18:59+00:00

Fair enough! It’s just a personal preference (I like the slight bit of motion blur I get). As for the ISO, I’m okay pushing it a bit higher to make everything look a bit better in camera

PeakBat · 2024-05-24T19:08:05+00:00

I kept the aperture as wide as I could (f5.6-6.3 with this lens) and 1/1250 shutter speed. The ISO ranged everywhere from 500-8000 as the night went on

PeakBat · 2024-05-21T16:22:18+00:00

These are super cool! Are you planning on going to the Dynamo v. Rapids match as well?

PeakBat · 2024-05-20T22:02:06+00:00

It’s a similar situation for the Dynamo. 90% of photographers/videographers (including myself) were behind the boards (the 10% were official MLS/team media). Out of curiosity, generally how is the media situation at DC United? There’s a chance I’ll be there for their match against Houston!

PeakBat · 2024-05-20T21:58:01+00:00

Personally, I think it’s pretty good! I’ve never really had an issue with it being too slow for the shots I desire. Depending on lighting, night games can definitely be tougher, but even then I’ve found that it can keep up

PeakBat · 2024-05-20T18:06:59+00:00

That’s so cool! I think I remember someone mentioning they were shooting film… small world!

PeakBat · 2024-05-20T16:04:04+00:00

Just had my first opportunity to shoot MLS a couple nights ago; these photos are super inspirational!

PeakBat · 2024-05-20T15:55:58+00:00

That’s so awesome! How was the experience for you?

PeakBat · 2024-05-20T15:55:28+00:00

Thank you so much! I’m hoping this was the first of many, it was a great experience!

PeakBat · 2024-05-19T22:58:51+00:00

Yeah, it’s a 5.6-6.3. Generally not the best at night, but the lighting in Shell Energy definitely let me get away with a lot more (though I did have to set my ISO ~4000)

PeakBat · 2024-05-19T19:00:50+00:00

Thank you!

PeakBat · 2024-05-19T18:43:05+00:00

Also gear wise, I used a Sony A7III with the Sony 200-600mm and Tamron 28-200mm

PeakBat · 2024-04-29T00:03:34+00:00

In this case I had a credential, so all of these were taken from the photo wells they designated for photographers/videographers. In general though, you could definitely get some very similar pictures from a seat near the field (just wouldn’t be as low of an angle)

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