[Sydney] Where do I find free/cheapie sporting events where I can roam and photograph freely?

minty on 22/05/2023 - 13:47

Howdy

A mate lent me a lens recently and I'd like to try out some sports photography, the sport itself is not important (well, something more exhilarating than lawn bowls would be ideal), soccer/footie/cricket/tennis/whatever.

All paid events, regardless of how small the games, are they all allocated seats? Can I go down to the fence level and roam around and photograph freely? I'd like to move around/to each end and also not get in other people's way.

What about some rando ovals that frequently has local teams playing and anyone's free to spectate, is there one that has a schedule ahead of time so I can see what's on?

Thanks!

Sports & Outdoors

Comments

  • Donaldhump on 22/05/2023 - 13:59
    +1

    west tigers

    seriously just go to a 4th grade cricket match

  • GG57 on 22/05/2023 - 14:09
    +2

    Why not lawn bowls?

    • FoxJump on 22/05/2023 - 16:16
      +3

      indeed, the balls move fast and their trajectory is not linear. This can help test the autofocus. It's also a small target with little harsh colour change which makes AF harder

  • djones145 on 22/05/2023 - 14:29
    +1

    is it a zoom lens?
    i know most stadiums have a policy
    like Julbilee stadium has this
    Cameras

    Recording devices with detachable lenses greater than 200mm as well as tripods are not permitted into Netstrata Jubilee Stadium. Selfie sticks and large binoculars are also not permitted.

    i'm sure others too
    u might need to head to a grade match, at a small local stadium, they have ones which are not allocated seats

    • minty on 22/05/2023 - 14:54

      Yeah 150-600mm, it'd be quite inconvenient for everyone thus wanted something that's out of everyone's way, looks like random fields it is.

      • FoxJump on 22/05/2023 - 16:16

        oh . is it the Sigma one?
        i tried one once, it's image stabiliser is poor compared to Canon equivalents, even if the reach isnt there.

    • FoxJump on 22/05/2023 - 16:17

      I wonder if they check for extenders ..hmm

  • SBOB on 22/05/2023 - 14:51
    +1

    weekend random local teams soccer or football event.
    Seems like the no brainer kind of option.

  • CurlCurl on 22/05/2023 - 15:00

    I did sporting team photos for many years (not action) in the 90's early 2000's.

    Best idea is drive around sports fields in your local area on a Saturday, you will see junior sports being played. Wander in and speak to the clubs that are playing asking if you will be allowed to photograph their players. Avoid netball as the officials may think you're a weirdo.

    A 150-600 lens at 6.7 and 2kg even with stabilization would need at least a monopod

    I did photograph friends children playing league and Aussie Rules but always asked for permission from the club. I used a 70-200 2.8 image stabilizer with 2X converter and were genuine, not after market.

  • samyall on 22/05/2023 - 15:01
    +2

    Go to literally any beach and photograph the surfers

  • bobbified on 22/05/2023 - 15:21
    +5

    As legal as it may be to take pictures in public, If you don't like confrontations, avoid any local parks or places where there might be kids.

    A 150-600mm lens would be huge too, so it'll be quite difficult to be discreet! haha

  • Drakesy on 22/05/2023 - 16:26
    +1

    Definitely netball courts on Saturdays between 7am and midday
    /s

  • participant123xyz on 22/05/2023 - 16:43
    +2

    Come down to Henson park to see the mighty Jets.

    Up the Bluebags!!

  • AustriaBargain on 22/05/2023 - 16:57

    Youth football games might be a good way, I don't know if it is football season or not. Also you may want to contact the club first considering the players are under 18, if you offer to give them copies of the photos for their social media or whatever maybe they'd be cool with it. Might be better to look for amateur games played by adults though, people get a bit funny about photographing kids.

  • Gunnar on 22/05/2023 - 17:41
    +1

    Careful how you go about this

    15 years ago I photographed children's sports. 5-10 years later I walked out a free man and even got this really cool ankle bracelet for free

  • thatonethere on 22/05/2023 - 19:06
    +2

    Pretty much all the junior sports i take my kids too photos are banned unless you have permission.

  • Nugs on 22/05/2023 - 19:56

    Motorcross, everyone is wearing helmets so privacy concerns are less likely. Clubs have practice ride days and I'm sure you could find one that allows photography. They might even want shots put on their facebook page, that's what happened when we were going to a track in SA a few years ago
    .

  • Euphemistic on 23/05/2023 - 08:24

    Go to your local sports club and ask if they’d like some photos taken. Give them the photos at the end so you are ‘legit’.

  • sam-1966 on 23/05/2023 - 13:05

    Always ask permission, particularly with junior sports.

    I never had trouble taking photos of our daughters at netball with a 'little' camera, but bring out a DSLR with a long lens and was questioned! I felt like saying anyone using a small camera would get other kids in the photos easily, but with the lens I was using would only get my child!

    Saying that, our daughters' primary school choir was singing at a competition in the Queen St Mall in Brisbane, (so a very public area), and I was quite disturbed when a couple of rather elderly gentlemen with no connection to our school or students were allowed to openly video record the entire thing. Organisers said there was nothing they could do about it.

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join