Taking pictures at tournaments OK?
- Thread starter Billy_Bob
- Start date
I've recorded video and shot pictures at major events. I think the bottom line is MAKE SURE YOUR FLASH IS OFF! The best way to make sure if you're allowed to film is, obviously, ask the tournament directors or owners of the establishment.
If I'm gonna be filming a match, I always make darn sure I get permission from BOTH players and offer each of them a free dvd copy of the match next time we cross paths. I have never had a problem filming players of the highest caliber if I start off by showing them a little respect. Consequently, I have a killer library of pro matches that cant be bought from Accu-Stats.
If I'm gonna be filming a match, I always make darn sure I get permission from BOTH players and offer each of them a free dvd copy of the match next time we cross paths. I have never had a problem filming players of the highest caliber if I start off by showing them a little respect. Consequently, I have a killer library of pro matches that cant be bought from Accu-Stats.
One other thing: Don't try to get that picture of a shooter aiming directly at the camera while in the middle of a match, even from ten feet away. Standing in the line of a players' shot is likely to get you an evil look. Wait till the game is over and then get the player to "pose." That's the only time I've ever accidently disturbed a shooter. Lesson learned.
Picture Expert
Rich R. who posts on here occasionally and frequently on BD, is a master at pool photography and can give you many insights. He took some shots at our Virginia 9 Ball Championships last year and they were terrific. He even made me look like I can play.
PM him or post on BD and I'm sure he'll give you some ideas. He's very giving with his help.
Brian in VA
Rich R. who posts on here occasionally and frequently on BD, is a master at pool photography and can give you many insights. He took some shots at our Virginia 9 Ball Championships last year and they were terrific. He even made me look like I can play.
PM him or post on BD and I'm sure he'll give you some ideas. He's very giving with his help.Brian in VA
It was Lil Jon Macias at the Houston Open last year. I was totally in the wrong and just wasn't thinking. To be honest, I was just standing there in awe of his shotmaking ability. He was truly getting out from everywhere. I don't think it mattered in the end because he ended up taking second to Jui-Lung Chen. I felt 2 inches tall. He didn't say anything, but I could tell I was at the wrong place at the wrong time.
Billy_Bob said:
I have a Sony DCR-PC9 Mini DV Camcorder. It is perfect for taking pictures at any live event. It has the capabilities of taking pictures off of the video you have recorded. You can record a video and go frame by frame until you get the shot you want and take the pic. Great for MPEG's as well.
Here is a link to check it out..........http://www.planetomni.com/CAM_SONY_dcr-pc9_DTL.shtml
Here is some spec's for it as well:
Audio/Video Performance
Mini DV Recording.
Advanced HAD™ CCD 1 / 4" CCD with 680,000 Pixels.
Memory Mode with Memory Stick ® Digital Storage Media.
MPEG Movie Mode.
10X Optical/120X Digital Zoom.
Touch Screen System An "on-screen" touch panel system on the LCD.
Super NightShot ® 0 Lux Infrared System.
Convenience
2.5" Precision SwivelScreen™ LCD Display (211k Pixels).
Precision Color Viewfinder (180k Pixels).
Progressive Shutter System.
2x Playback Zoom.
Digital Program Editing.
12-Bit/16-Bit PCM Digital Stereo with Audio Dub.
Stamina ® Power Management System.
InfoLithium ® Battery with AccuPower™ Meter System.
Super SteadyShot ® Picture Stabilization.
> At the televised 1991 WPA World Championships in Vegas,Earl was leading the match 8-7,after Nick Varner made a strong push at the end of the match,and was shooting the 6 ball. Someone in the crowd hit him dead in the face with a flash,causing him to get out of line on the 7,forcing him to cinch it and bank the 8,which was very testy considering the pressure of the moment. Earl still got out,but the flash could have very easily cost him the match. People present at the time said after he had won the match,and knew the TV cameras has panned elsewhere for a commercial break,he actually went up into the stands looking for the offender. He was also very vocal about it before he finished running out. Earl was noticably less exitable in those days,along with it taking a lot more to push him to that extent,if this flash incident were to happen again now,and it cost him the match,he would probably go to jail. My only experiences taking pictures at a tournament were with a disposable camera,which isn't too bad for taking pics of cues in the hallway,but in the tournament room at most non-pool room tournaments,it is usually too dark to get away with a disposable,and some of them have a flash. About the only ones that get away with flash pics at a tournament are the ones that take the pics for the magazines,Diana Hoppe or Francine Massey,Mike's wife,and even they occasionally hear about it. Tommy D.
No offense, but that's a great way to get crappy pictures. After all, they're going to be at the resolution of your camera, and a picture that looks great moving at 30 fps isn't going to look so great still-framed. By the way, that resolution is:sizl said:
So 0.7 megapixels. Hardly something you can print and stick on a wall, at any size. Maybe in your wallet... maybe.sizl said:
FWIW, avoid looking at the digital zoom when you buy a camera. It's useless. You can just crop and enlarge in photo editing software and get better results. That's all the camera is doing - cropping and enlarging - in its "digital" realm. Perhaps applying a bit of an unsharp mask, too, but again software is better and more flexible here. Only look at optical zoom.sizl said:
I just shot pictures at my first pool tournament. It's dark, so you'll need a "fast" camera. I recommend taking a tripod, too, because it's quite likely your shutter speed is going to be too slow to get a crisp shot without any movement. Even if it's a monopod, take something, or find a good brace on every shot.
The other thing is to watch a game or two before you take pictures. Figure out what each player's pre-shot routine is. That way you don't waste shots of players who shoot more quickly than you thought.
Also, remember, some of the best shots are not when a player is shooting, but when they're racking, pacing around the table, etc. Get these kinds of shots too. Not every shot need be an "down on thet shot, ready to fire" kind of shot.
iacas said:
I am not going to get into a debate about this as I am in no way an expert (or even close.) All I know is that I have got some pretty good results from taking pics of of the video I have shot. I will let you be the judge, here are some action shots I took off of video.
I love it!
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PoolSleuth
Banned
I use to be a Freelance Still Photographer/Photojournalist covering most Hard & Soft News Stories. Part of what I did annually was cover many of the Big Pro-Ma Golf Events, both PGA, and Senior PGA Sanctioned.
There were strict rule for the Press, and Photographer in General. As long as you comply with the Rule of the Event I would say you should have ZERO Problems.
You might contact the Sanctioning Organization for their event you wish to photograph, and ask for a Copy of their Rule For News Photographers, that should spell out all the do and don’t.
I do remember one time in a Sacramento Courtroom when the BatGirl Murder Suspect was being Arraigned, and I had a Photo Request, the Mirror from MY SLR did cause a Frown on a Judges Face, as in the Silent Court room it was Noisy. But I only need one good photo, and after 10 Frames were exposed I left, and hoped the JUDGE would not remember my face.
There were strict rule for the Press, and Photographer in General. As long as you comply with the Rule of the Event I would say you should have ZERO Problems.
You might contact the Sanctioning Organization for their event you wish to photograph, and ask for a Copy of their Rule For News Photographers, that should spell out all the do and don’t.
I do remember one time in a Sacramento Courtroom when the BatGirl Murder Suspect was being Arraigned, and I had a Photo Request, the Mirror from MY SLR did cause a Frown on a Judges Face, as in the Silent Court room it was Noisy. But I only need one good photo, and after 10 Frames were exposed I left, and hoped the JUDGE would not remember my face.
Again, you're limited to .7 megapixels. Typically around your NTSC or PAL scale, too, so 720 x 480 or 640 x 480 (etc.).sizl said:
If you want to shoot video, shoot video with a video cam. If you want still pictures, shoot stills with a still photo camera.
Lots of cameras offer the ability to do both, but they always do the secondary one pretty "crappily." The optics for video don't need to be anywhere near as good as they do for photography and the resolution used in photography is way too high to use the optics efficiently for video (in any device under, oh, $150k or so anyway).
Your opinion of "pretty good" may differ from mine, but those pictures aren't of good quality. I'd have not said more, but I don't want the original poster thinking he can go shoot video and get "good" stills from it.
For comparison's sake, look at these. These are just a high-level amateur's photos shot with some pretty good equipment, but the images have been scaled down dramatically.
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Brian, thank you for the kind words.Brian in VA said:Rich R. who posts on here occasionally and frequently on BD, is a master at pool photography and can give you many insights. He took some shots at our Virginia 9 Ball Championships last year and they were terrific. He even made me look like I can play.
Brian in VA
Billy Bob, without knowing what type of camera and lens combination you are using, it is hard for me to give you many hints.
Most tournaments allow photography, however, flash photography is a definite NO, NO.
Some, but not all, auto focus cameras have a bright light on the front, which you may not see when taking the pictures, but the players do. Check your camera for such a light. If you have one, and can't turn it off, you should not use that camera.
Whether film or digital, if you are using an inexpensive point and shoot camera, you can forget about getting high quality tournament pictures. Reserve your picture taking for scenes away from the tables, where players and fans gather.
If I can help you in any way, send me a PM with your questions. Be sure to tell me exactly what camera and lens combination you are using. Since I am not familiar with all makes and models, please include a little information about the camera.
Sizl, you did get some decent results, however, all of the pictures you provided are scenes in full sun with a large amount of light. In general, pool tournaments are very low light situations. I'm not too familiar with the process of getting still pictures from videos, so I have to ask, can you get good results in extreme low light situations? Also, do you get enough resolution for 8X10, or larger, prints?sizl said:
iacas said:
Those are very nice pics and your point is taken. The poster was referring to flash being a nuisance, so I was just letting him know their was other options than an actual camera. I could get better quality, but I would have to spend another $500 in accessories. Thanks for setting me straight as well as the diplomacy
Rich R. said:
As I said in the post above, I would have to spend several hundred dollars on a filter and other accessories. I am not against spending the $$$ but now that my eyes have been opened, I will explore other options.
As to your other question, I have to admit on some of the pics I take the integrity of the picture is definitely threatened when I try and format an 8x10 pic.
I still love my camera. For a family man, it is hard to beat when it comes to taking vidoes and MPEGS. Very good quality IMO
The key here is how good a camera you have. Depending on how good a picture you require, the number of megapixels isn't really the biggest issue in this particular situation. Especially since you can get a 5 megapixel camera now fairly cheaply. Because you can't use a flash the issue is the sensitivity of the censor. This is indicated in digital cameras by the ISO ability. (ASA on film cameras) I'm only talking digital here though. Most of the less expensive camera's ISO only go to maybe 400. You are going to have trouble taking a good picture at a pool tournament with this. I'm not saying it can't be done, but you would almost have to be lucky. The problem is that the camera knows how much light it needs to make the picture acceptable. Since ISO 400 isn't sensitive enough the camera is going to keep the aperture open longer. It is very difficult to keep your hands steady for that long. A tripod can help out here but then you still have to hope that the player stands still that long. It would be much easier if you have a camera with ISO 800 and if you have ISO 1600 available on your camera, your good to go. These are generally more expensive cameras.
Another thing is that you need to stand back. This means if you want a close up you need a zoom lens. 24mm X 120mm or so it good. You have to remember the more you are zoomed in the more important having a higher ISO is. Digital zoom mean nothing, you could just do a crop and accomplish the same thing. Must be optical zoom.
Recommendations - At least 5 megapixels. Minimum of ISO 800. 6x optical zoom.
My camera - Fiji S2
http://www.robertsdigitography.com
P.S. Been said a couple of times but worth repeating. Don't forget to turn off the autofocus light.
Another thing is that you need to stand back. This means if you want a close up you need a zoom lens. 24mm X 120mm or so it good. You have to remember the more you are zoomed in the more important having a higher ISO is. Digital zoom mean nothing, you could just do a crop and accomplish the same thing. Must be optical zoom.
Recommendations - At least 5 megapixels. Minimum of ISO 800. 6x optical zoom.
My camera - Fiji S2
http://www.robertsdigitography.com
P.S. Been said a couple of times but worth repeating. Don't forget to turn off the autofocus light.