[sleaver]

OK, there aren't any photo's but I was wondering how people get to be an offical photographer there? I think it has been mentioned that Bristol Pete has an FA licence so thought someone may know.

Once Spain had won all these photographers in Canon bibs (probably more advertising than anything) were running all over that place getting there camers and lenses knocked around by others.

Then they all hold their camers over their heads trying to get a shot. Is this a just hope for the best or does it actually work more than you would think?

Bit of a strange thread but if you don't ask you'll never know!

[mudstuff]

Yeah, I wondered the same. Talk about covering all bases, there were loads of photogs there. I'd love to know how they all manage to make money when they are likely to all have very similar shots.

[SomeVorn]

My 75 pence - Sports photography is big money - so its worth going to a few games and NOT selling anything - as long as you get a cracker at some point, it'll probably be worth it. Of course, at such a big event - most newspapers in the world will either have a photographer at the event (just imagine the number of sports magazines etc) and freelancers will no doubt fancy their chances of beating those photographers as well.

As far as lifting the camera over there head, its hardly a professional practice (watch paparazzi do their job - I swear half don't even use the viewfinder) - they press the shutter and pray half the time as well - but its the only way to get the shot really. The celebrations can't be recreated, there is no way you can move to a difference location - i mean ideally you'd want to be high up in the stadium with a lens so big that it takes 2 people just to carry the thing. Its just not practical.

As far as hoping for the best - have you ever tried to take a self portrait hand held? The first time is rubbish - then you get better. I expect it works the same way when you just lift your camera high and roughly point it towards the subject - it just takes a bit of practice. They likely shoot with a pretty wide lens so they can crop afterwards as well.

[Bob]

Originally Posted by SomeVorn

As far as lifting the camera over there head, its hardly a professional practice (watch paparazzi do their job - I swear half don't even use the viewfinder) - they press the shutter and pray half the time as well - but its the only way to get the shot really. The celebrations can't be recreated, there is no way you can move to a difference location - i mean ideally you'd want to be high up in the stadium with a lens so big that it takes 2 people just to carry the thing. Its just not practical.

In these days of digital you can turn on the motordrive and take a few hundred (maybe thousand) shots, and after cropping and editing your bound to get something worth using.

[milkmanchris]

Try approach a local championship (maybe) club or a League club (better) and ask about a chance to do some pictures failing that you could always try a local regional level paper and ask them, this will lead on to you getting a Football League Licence, its really a case of who you know and not necessarily what you know.

If you've been covering the Football League/Championship , then it's the same contact details as per the League Licence. The basic differences are that you need £5m liability insurance (as opposed to £2m) and not less than 30 pictures published in the National Press (as opposed to 15 regionally).

Even with a licence, you'll still only be able to get access if you are representing a publication/agency. Of course, if you're already working with a particular publication that needs Premier League piccies, then they should be able to apply for accreditation for you using their own licence.

I let mine lapse 3 years ago (long story involving a divorce lots of vodka and cheap women, fun though at the time), although I think my comeback gig will be the World Cup in 2010, I have a few contacts in SA, having spent a while living there, and my kids will be 5 and 3 so Ill have seen the 'growing' up years and can go back on the road.

[milkmanchris]

Originally Posted by Twadger

In these days of digital you can turn on the motordrive and take a few hundred (maybe thousand) shots, and after cropping and editing your bound to get something worth using.

Not when the websites want them within 2 minutes of being taken, for goals that is.

Most sports togs (football) do zero pp work, the picture is taken and wired to the agency/paper and they take care of that, with the good shots getting £1500 a pop there is little or no time to miss/mess.