MLS Soccer - A day as a sports photographer

[@jordyxcollins]

Hi Rob! Thanks for posting this. I got my credential to shoot games for the Rapids this season and watching your guide really helped me make some decisions on equipment and placement beforehand. It was also great to see that you enjoy it. Between the kids and the fans you bought into the experience and tried to capture the moment, awesome stuff!

[@RobGrayPhotography]

I'm bummed about how the season has turned out. I hope you are safe and healthy. I feel bad for the photographers where something really cool was about to take off for them. Good Luck.

[@jordyxcollins]

@@RobGrayPhotography Thanks for the response Rob!

[@dougkoski]

Great video! Been wanting to get into sports photography, this makes me want that even more. Wife and I have gone to Revs games for years and, man, what a difference in the crowd atmosphere... New respect for Real Salt Lake & fans!

[@moseskendrick3965]

InstaBlaster...

[@amandacortese2776]

I enjoyed watching this, I just got hired to photograph the Chicago fire and red stars for the 2019 season, I'm nervous and excited!

[@livedict6224]

So how did it go?

[@petersmith895]

Loving the video's Rob, your passion and energy really comes through in your video's. Inspirational, keep up the good work. I'm loving the sports photography and learning lots from your vids..👍 Cheers Peter in New Zealand.

[@RobGrayPhotography]

Thank you! I appreciate your kind words. Already working on the next one.

[@GeoffMoorePhotography]

Great video Rob, only just discovered you, but so glad I have. I have started photographing my local football (soccer) club here in the UK, and trying to document their performance win loose or draw, I hope im on the right tracks as I'm trying my hand at vlogging at the match too and uploading to my youtube channel, much like you have done in this video. Great to see the fans in the US are as passionate as they are in the UK. Going to binge watch more of your content, hopefully I can pick up some pointers and tips along the way. Regards Geoff

[@carbgod3380]

Loved the video! Can't wait for more behind the scenes videos! I'm an aspiring sports photographer myself much love to showing the ropes

[@Modiggidy790]

Great video. Thank you for the inspiration

[@GreenJumper]

What did you do to get this job?

[@MLeeMedia]

Love watching your videos! Just started my own channel and finished my first vlog (very short), and am currently working on my second one, but I need to get more comfortable in front of the camera, but I guess that takes time, it seems very natural to you! Keep up the great work!

[@Liehsc]

Good video! Do you shoot in manual or aperture priority? Are your shutter speeds around 1000-1250 or do you go higher? Thank You.

[@RobGrayPhotography]

Thank you very much for your support. Good question on M vs AV. I do both but here are the conditions I generally use. When there are shadows across the field with some parts of the field backlit and vice versa, I always use AV and bump the exposure up 1/3 to or 2/3. I change my camera settings to not let the shutter go below 1000. I would pick 1250 if it was an option but it goes from 1000 to 2000. The quicker answer would be AV during the day and M once the lights turn on and the sun goes down or indoors. There is always an exception. If the conditions are changing every few minutes I prefer aperture priority (AV) as I would rather focus on getting the shot rather than the settings when possible. Clouds moving over the sun etc. make manual mode (M) something you have to pay attention to as much as shooting. I'm not good enough to do both I guess haha.

[@Liehsc]

Rob Gray Photography Thanks for responding back!

[@andrealfred5217]

Awesome video...can you put a link for the portable stool you packed in the beginning of your video 2:50 its laying next to your monopod

[@RobGrayPhotography]

I use the Walkstool Comfort 55cm/22in which are really awesome. amzn.to/2vWiEwL . They are worth the cost. I use it at every soccer match and I picked the 22 instead of the 18 because the LED boards are taller than the fixed advertising boards so it is easier to shoot over. I need about an inch more to really shoot comfortably over the LED wall. They also hold 225 kg / 495 lbs so they are Husky Guy Approved.

[@moonfall84]

Great video Rob! I will try to do my amateur photos on lower class league in Poland this Sunday. I'm just curious if the Sigma 150-600 DG DN Sport will be good due to aperture level.

[@agustinvazquez1049]

How do you get the media pass /?

[@QueMeVezWei]

Hey Rob I really enjoyed your video. It was a very insightful view of what a sports photographer does. I just wanted to ask you how is that you can get access to the stadium and take pictures of the game. Are you a contractor or do you work for a private company/newspaper. Thanks

[@jougom8654]

Great Video! I loved the Kids reaction :p and also your pictures. ;)

[@joh24]

Hi Rob, can you give an idea on how to aproach photo agencies and get freelance jobs at professional sports events? Besides building a great Portfolio what else should one do? Thank you.

[@josecarri]

thank you Rob for been you bro..

[@maringuic2484]

hey dude awesome video but do you think that the canon 7d is a good sportd camera mk1?

[@akshayd211]

Should have also linked the stool. Cool video. I learnt something.

[@rafisy5476]

Hi I have question what you think about 7070-200mm f/4l for sports please answer me questions

[@RobGrayPhotography]

Hey Rafi, the 70-200mm would be my first choice for sports photography if I could only bring one lens. My first upgrade from a Canon Rebel with a kit lens was to a 70-200mm lens and I still use that same lens today. I have upgraded my camera bodies many times but the lens is still the same one and a key piece in my camera bag. I would also get the F/2.8 if you can afford the upgrade over the F/4. I consider it a good investment.

[@MsBannach]

Thank you for the inspiration!

[@bmbfilmshd]

dope work bro

[@alanchicas]

How u got in there?

[@BruceLeroyUK]

He walked in.

[@Bmye1011]

It's signed!

[@DylanTheCameraGuy]

What is the link to the stool you use?

[@RobGrayPhotography]

Dylan I honest just bought a new one a couple weeks ago. I wore my other one out- amzn.to/2JLXPML

[@DylanTheCameraGuy]

Rob Gray Photography thanks for the quick reply, Rob. How do you like the new one? Any idea of the load capacity? I photograph a lot of sports so a stool like this would be ideal for me instead of lugging a bigger chair.

[@RobGrayPhotography]

Dylan, I bought the exact same one I had been using for the last 3 years. Supports up to 495 lbs and I believe the specification is correct. It is light and folds up nicely. I attach it to the back of my Lowpro 450. There are different sizes. I like the size I have (55cm/22 Inch) because for soccer they have these big LED boards that are pretty tall and I can shoot from behind them. I know the people with shorter stools have to stand I am 6'1" so keep that in mind picking your size and if you may need to shoot from behind a taller wall.

[@DylanTheCameraGuy]

Rob Gray Photography Awesome. I'm 6'3 but I think I might go for the 22inch as well. Your videos are awesome btw. I look forward to them, keep it up!

[@RobGrayPhotography]

Thanks! I haven't done one for a while. I got a little discouraged with when basketball season started. I will post a new one soon with details on what happened. I think I need to change up the way I do them with a little less footage of the game. I actually had to unpublished a few.

[@thebogeyboys561]

Do you have a email where I can contact you at?

[@unr0w]

4:50 anyone else see that guy kick a kid?... *heh*

[@Alexandahls]

Can I be your apprentice, master? :D

[@omaryacoman]

Great video, but worldwide is football

[@RobGrayPhotography]

I can't argue with you on that one Omar. I'll call it football when I post my Manchester United video in a couple weeks.

[@CrazyyGraphics]

As i Huge Man United fan i'll look forward to that.