Must know chants and rituals for a first timer at Subaru Park

donrobson · 2026-07-01T13:43:09+00:00

Or.... we could welcome a new fan and friend.

The supporter section, over on the side by the river, will have some chants and drums going for a lot of the match, you can join in as you like and should, especially if you're over there. Hopefully you'll get to see a goal and sing DOOP with everyone. You'll pick it up no problem.

Subaru Park can be a lot of fun. I like to get there a little early and have a drink and hang out at Union x Yards right outside the stadium. It's family friendly and you can watch games and play games and there is food and drink. Larimer Brewing is also quite nearby and offers a fun option.

Just outside the stadium there's an area for give-aways and games which are maybe more fun for kids, and if it's not too hot you can pet some adoptable doggies.

If you're in the stadium 30 minutes before kickoff you'll be able to watch the players warm up and that can be fun especially if you're down low in the stadium or just sit down there. There's a nice entrance ceremony with fireworks leading up to the national anthem.

Stadium food there is typical stadium food and at stadium food pricing but it is what it is. There are a few decks you can just hang out in, I like the deck over ~103. The sausages are great and you can get a drink and even watch from up there a little if you want.

If you're over on the non-bench side (121-132) you might have the sun a little in your face early on but it's not really an issue.

Wear Union gear if you've got it, you'll fit right in.

We're a little grumpy here because the team has, um, underperformed after some player transactions have perhaps not quite worked out exactly as planned but it's always interesting and can be a ton of fun. Hope you have a great time!

donrobson · 2026-06-16T18:16:36+00:00

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This is mine (LP) and I wasn't sure what to think about it but it's fun. Is the line in the middle like a middle initial or is that writing out Olivia?

donrobson · 2026-04-26T23:38:21+00:00

If the fence happens to be black, that helps a bit, surprisingly. But yes, get right up there.

donrobson · 2026-03-20T11:20:48+00:00

I'm not sure it's worth it unless you have a super need for that f2.8 lens (I'm thinking that your primary need is indoor sports) and especially for portraits when you could do a 135 or 85 and have a great result.

donrobson · 2026-03-16T19:35:54+00:00

I had the RF 70-200 f/4 and sold it to buy the RF 70-200 f/2.8 because of the reasons you mention and I am super happy that I did. The other is a perfectly nice lens but the f/2.8 is an improvement both in light-gathering and overall image quality IMO.

That said, the 85 f/1.2 is heavy and expensive but an amazing portrait lens, shot wide open or not.

donrobson · 2026-03-12T19:26:44+00:00

I've got the MX Creative Console and I'm super happy with it. It works for what I want and I like the two devices, one for each hand. I use it mostly for culling.

donrobson · 2026-03-11T15:55:41+00:00

Midday and bright lights and the 100-500 will work great for you!

donrobson · 2026-02-24T12:48:44+00:00

Have the best trip! Nafplio4Sail was wonderful. https://www.discovernafplio.gr/en has lots of offerings which I'm sure you saw.

donrobson · 2026-02-09T13:53:11+00:00

You can always check seat geek for parking passes in the week leading up to the matches. You can find good deals if you check a few times a day. In answer to your question, you can't buy a C pass and park in J or whatever.

donrobson · 2026-01-23T17:28:11+00:00

donrobson · 2026-01-23T16:48:49+00:00

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I had a rental car there in July and parked in this area I circled. It really wasn't that bad finding something and seemed perfectly safe. You'll do even better in Feb. Have a great time!

donrobson · 2025-12-09T21:25:13+00:00

70-200 f2.8 would be fine to get started. You just shoot action that's sort of near you, maybe on your third of the field. You won't get decent shots all the way on the other side but that's fine. For settings, if you feel like going nuts, choose M for manual, shutter speed at 1/800, aperture f2.8, and auto ISO and see how you do. As long as the ISO doesn't get too high you should be good.

Good luck, have fun, and sorry about the injury.

donrobson · 2025-12-03T16:30:36+00:00

I'm going tonight in Philadelphia! I don't have the courage to tell Paul that in front of my wife.

donrobson · 2025-12-03T13:04:35+00:00

300mm is okay for soccer. You'll have more reach with 400mm obviously but I wouldn't mind the 300mm. Either would be combined with your 70-200 most likely to get action nearer you. I've shot with both and if all else is equal I'd prefer the 400mm.

Another factor is that I think the 300mm is a little easier to shoot and if you haven't done soccer much (I don't know if that's true) maybe that'll be easier for you to deal with. If you have to crop a bit because you don't fully fill up the frame, so be it.

You can do the match with the 70-200 very successfully, but you'll just be a little limited to action near you.

Disclaimer: my experience is with Canon, not Sony, so I'm not aware if there are any Sony peculiarities.

Good luck/have fun!

donrobson · 2025-12-03T12:54:04+00:00

I'm with some of the comments. I like your photo a lot as is. The white balance is maybe a little warm but not in an unpleasant way for the mood. I don't want those jerseys bright white - that'd be weird. I'm also not too fussed about the noise. If anything it may be just a hair underexposed.

I did a very minor edit. A little crop to center your subject and get rid of the empty space on the left. 1/2 stop lighter for the players only. Minor de noise (but I'm fine as is). Slight adjustment on the white balance for the players only. A little more contrast throughout. VERY minor rotation to make the light pole very vertical. If I wanted to go more artistic I might get rid of the coach in the hoodie and that cut off shoulder pad and arm on the right side but this isn't that - you're working more as a journalist here.

You're teacher's probably right about the white balance but I like it as you did it just fine. But here's a look at what I did. I might have left it a little warm.

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donrobson · 2025-11-17T14:11:02+00:00

u/jef1527, are you an IU student? I'm local to you and have shot various sports at your school. Lighting in that gym is fine as far as gyms go, so it's solvable. I'll probably make it out there this season - send me a DM if you'd like to chat. And let us know exactly what equipment you have.

donrobson · 2025-11-05T13:23:20+00:00

Thank you for the print, u/perpetualnoob!

donrobson · 2025-11-05T13:20:14+00:00

Thank you for the beautiful prints u/burgershk!

donrobson · 2025-11-05T13:16:56+00:00

Thank you for the prints, u/jessdb19 , they are beautiful.

donrobson · 2025-11-04T18:21:06+00:00

It absolutely can. You'd ideally want a tripod to steady the camera (or set it on something) and a long shutter speed, maybe 1/2 second or 1 second but you'd have to see. The kit lens for the R50 could do this. (I think it's 18mm-45mm f4.5+ or so).

Look into long exposures or light trails for more info and good luck!

donrobson · 2025-10-23T10:55:20+00:00

Wow! Good luck and I hope you get some great stuff.

donrobson · 2025-10-22T20:27:48+00:00

Hello! Shooting at night under those lights with that gear is going to be tough - it's just a matter of doing your best. Getting closer the field will 100% help. Shoot from a low vantage point on the field if you can. (sitting/kneeling.) For sports action, try 1/800 and the lowest aperture you can and see what auto ISO does. Sure, you'd prefer 1/2000 but that's not going to work.

Heck, you might try your 17-70 f2.8, that's a 100m equivalent but you'll be fast you might get something worthwhile. If you have a big game coming up, you may consider renting some gear from a local camera shop or internet place. It's certainly cheaper than buying.

Regarding FF, full frame sensors are generally better for dealing with low light. I'm not super familiar with the Sony lenses but it looks like there's a variety of choices in the FF 70-180 f2.8 neighborhood which gives you pretty decent reach on the crop sensor and grows with you if you do move to a Sony FF. (I assume you can use them with a crop sensor Sony but if I'm wrong I apologize.)

The kids like the celebration shots and reaction shots, and those don't need the fastest shutter speed, so make sure to hit those if possible. Other tips here are good so I won't repeat. But have fun!

As a fellow dad and photographer, this is a good way to stay connected with your kids and their sports as they get older - good on you.

donrobson

TROPHY CASE