Photographing the Boston Bruins - Day in the Life of a Sports Photographer

Day in the Life of a Sports Photographer: Photographing the Boston Bruins
Follow along as I show you what goes into photographing a Boston Bruins game. I'll show you how I shoot an NHL game, what sports photo gear I pack, and other tidbits I've picked up along my career. Check out the behind the scenes of photographing professional sports.
Follow along on Instagram @paulrutherford_
Check out my images at www.paulrutherfordphotography.com
As always, leave any questions in the comments!
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[@Paul_Rutherford]

Anyone else's dog watch them leave and know when they return from trips???

[@angelogarciajr5356]

All dogs do that. Its their job and the loyalty they are born with.

[@showcasehardwoodfloors1473]

Always! Cherish that pup they’re amazing!! We just recently lost out lan mix rescues of almost 13 years. We rescued her at 2 months & she was my best friend!! Followed me around everywhere & waited for me as yours does in all ur vids! Very inspiring shooting btw & as big as sports fans as some of us r we realize it’s just a paying job....but a cool ass one! I keep looking forward to ur posts so thank u!!!

[@Paul_Rutherford]

@@showcasehardwoodfloors1473 Thanks for watching and it is a fun job! Dogs are the best and sorry about your recent loss of your pup.

[@angelogarciajr5356]

@@showcasehardwoodfloors1473 I feel your pain. I lost my Brittany 2 months ago and it still tears me up. She was 13 as well. All dogs go to heaven.

[@showcasehardwoodfloors1473]

@@angelogarciajr5356 yes it was the hardest thing we had to do as parents!

[@cameastonphotos]

Love your videos man. I've been binge watching your channel and you have great insight on a lot of the different types of sports photography. I got to work two college football games recently and your videos helped a ton, and I'm hoping to work a hockey game soon. A lot of KZbinrs will just go over the basics, but you go in depth with the experience and what to expect when working these kind of events. Thank you!!

[@Paul_Rutherford]

Thanks for watching!!! Great to hear that the videos are helping you and hope the hockey game works out for you!

[@Paul_Rutherford]

Thanks for watching!!! Great to hear that the videos are helping you and hope the hockey game works out for you!

[@markkempton4579]

Great video! Like you, I knew very little about hockey save for playing a season of NHL '95 on the Sega Genesis in college. I had my first assignment about a year ago and was very nervous. It turned out to be my favorite gig of the season. I loved it. You have the world's largest reflector everywhere you point your camera. And it's fun, unpredictable and so fast. I was able to shoot from the box, which I'm sure is out of the question this year. I just picked up a gig shooting youth hockey in a few weeks at an even newer arena, so I'm looking forward to applying what I learned last year. It's definitely one of the more unique sports to capture.

[@Paul_Rutherford]

Nothing like NHL on Sega! Good luck with the upcoming shoot!

[@Efficiencyts]

These videos are so awesome, haven't seen much other sports photography content on here! Please keep it up man!!

[@Paul_Rutherford]

I'm planning on it! Thanks for watching and let me know if there is ever anything specific you'd like to see me talk about.

[@erikoisjeppe3032]

Great video! You just combined two of my passions: photography and the Nhl. Thanky you! I would love to see a POV hockey photography video sometimes.

[@Paul_Rutherford]

Thanks for watching!

[@kmacdizzle]

when I was shooting U of M hockey I did all the home games so come like mid January I would just start trying things like slow shutter pans cuz you can only take so many months of shooting the same shots from the same places lol

[@Paul_Rutherford]

It's a blessing and a curse shooting that many games of one team at the same arena. Allows you to try all that stuff, but can get boring!

[@andiking2876]

Finally some good hockey photographer!!! so happy i found someone like me!

[@Paul_Rutherford]

Thanks!

[@robertokeefe9815]

Great day in the life video

[@Paul_Rutherford]

Thanks!

[@Griffongob]

Awesome video. I mainly shoot NAHL but even then its still fast paced action. Definitely has been the sport that's pushed me to grow more as a photographer. Can't wait to see the next video!

[@Paul_Rutherford]

Hockey does push your reaction timing! Thanks for watching!

[@Griffongob]

Paul Rutherford interesting question for you! How do you handle white balance in the rink? Do you just take a reading off the ice or do you keep it on auto wb?

[@Paul_Rutherford]

@@Griffongob Typically what I'll do at a new venue is take a few raw photos pregame, put them into Lightroom, and find the white balance I like, then set the camera to kelvin mode with that white balance since Im shooting jpeg. If I've been there before I typically know the value I've used in the past. With these newer lights in the big arenas the auto does do a great job!

[@brandonreed9957]

Paul I love all your videos!! I love how you get into your shooting strategies for your game days. But Im curious what goes into code replacements how and why you do that? I would love to see a video on that!

[@Paul_Rutherford]

I actually have a video about making code replacements! Check it out and let me know if you have any other questions. Thanks for watching!

[@1stDownPhoto]

Love BTS vids. Thanks for sharing!

[@Paul_Rutherford]

Of course! Another one coming shortly!

[@NKu22]

Nice video man, subbed 👍 I’m from Finland, the Bruins is my favorite team and I want to try my hand at some hockey photography at some point. Looking forward to more content!

[@Paul_Rutherford]

Thanks for watching!!! Hockey is a blast to shoot. More content on the way!

[@beefbrisket168]

great insight on sports photography with a focus on NHL. I am starting to look in to doing it since i already have some of the gear needed. Will probably need to start with local rec league play. Wanting to do this after more after working one time working All access Quest forthe Stanley Cup NHL production a few years ago.

[@Paul_Rutherford]

It is very fun to get into! Some local rinks can be frustrating to shoot in because the light is terrible. But remember that you don't need a ton of photos from every game, just a few you really like!

[@bquinn722]

You had me at hockey. Loved the video, hated that I was subjected to looking at pics of Crosby 😂. Go Flyers!

[@Paul_Rutherford]

Thanks for watching, sorry about the Crosby. haha

[@tyler.]

4:01 - in Albany a few months ago for the NCAA Regional, I was stationed in a corner in a suite which meant that netting obstructed the entire offensive zone, and messed with my AF. The only way I could shoot the offensive zone was manual focusing or focusing on the goal crease through the glass and then recomposing. Emailed them, but nothing could be done of it because of the spot availability with covid. Pretty unfortunate, so I guess it can go either way haha.

[@Paul_Rutherford]

That's tough! I wish some places would ask photographers about photo positions before making them. I had a terrible spot at the Celtics recently once fans came back. Up high behind a backboard that blocked players anytime they jumped near the basket.

[@janismartels]

Thanks! Nice vid! Hope one day you make one from basketball game🏀👍🏼

[@Paul_Rutherford]

Hopefully basketball by March! Thanks for watching!

[@stevebrodie1868]

First COVID hockey match this weekend.

[@Paul_Rutherford]

Have fun!

[@NikCan66]

Great to see some action shots from a still Lockdown Dublin Ireland 🇮🇪

[@Paul_Rutherford]

Only thing I really go out for is groceries and photographing. Still feels weird in the empty arenas knowing they are playing and the pandemic is still going.

[@NikCan66]

@@Paul_Rutherford were currently barred from travelling to events as freelancers. Only national newspapers and agency photographers affiliated to national sporting bodies can travel more than the national lockdown limit of 3.2 miles or 5km. The newspapers and agency staff have a special letter to travel beyond 5km distance roadblocks. Club photographers are barred from entering into their own stadiums.

[@Paul_Rutherford]

@@NikCan66 That's really tough! They have restricted access to only certain photographers here as well, but not as much as that.

[@NikCan66]

@@Paul_Rutherford well it maybe June or July period if we can get back to the sidelines of any sporting events

[@SBlake]

Just found your channel and im also from MA. This coming spring will be my first time doing sports photography aka baseball and just got a 70-200 f4

[@Paul_Rutherford]

Thanks for watching Sam! 70-200 is a great lens for sports. Don't get stuck in the trap of shooting the batter or pitcher 1000 times, unless you need too. Look for those plays in the field! I used to have way too many of the exact same photo of the pitcher when I started. Have fun!

[@SBlake]

@@Paul_Rutherford appreciate it! You think the f4 would be good for day games and under the lights?

[@Paul_Rutherford]

@@SBlake Perfect for day games. I used to use a 400 f5.6 for day games. Under the lights you should still be able to use it. Will be a little grainy, but depending on the lights that's always going to be the case.

[@SBlake]

@@Paul_Rutherford I appreciate it!!

[@angelogarciajr5356]

Nice video. I havent shot any sports in a year. Man am I ready. They must have awesome lights in that place to be able to use a 7D2 and also an F4 lens. I have an R6 with a 24-105 f4 on the way. I am anxious to see if it will work for me in some low light conditions. Stay safe!

[@Paul_Rutherford]

They did replace their lights a year or two ago. I think my settings have been f/4, 1/1600, and ISO 2000. Photos are pretty good with the 7D, great with the 1Dx ii. I'm sure the R6 will provide some great images!

[@angelogarciajr5356]

@@Paul_Rutherford If I have light, my crop sensor 7D2 is my go to with the 100-400! I use it for Friday night football until the sun drops. I have some f2.8 stuff to switch to on some full frames when it gets dark. High school gyms and stadiums here are not well lit. It is a struggle at times.

[@Paul_Rutherford]

@@angelogarciajr5356 Those high school gyms are the worst. Shooting at 1/500th is not ideal

[@markkempton4579]

I shot my 7D2 as a second body for HS basketball last winter and it was surprisingly passable, using a little NR in Lightroom. I added my 5D4 b/c of football. That said, I finally shot in Cleveland's Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse last month for the first time and the lighting was incredible. I was up top, so shooting with a 300 and 400, and I was able to drop down to f4 - 5.6 and still be under 4000 ISO most of the night. I will be volunteering for any more games I can get there. LOL Such a difference.

[@Paul_Rutherford]

@@markkempton4579 It's amazing the difference inside when you have good light!

[@callmehank88]

Great video mate. I'm interested in sports photography and although ice hockey isn't a big sport in Australia I found this very interesting. I've heard Bill Burr talk about the Bruins. May I ask, who do you upload the photos for? Who employs the sports photographer? The club itself? A sports news media agency? These are the things I ponder, and how to make a start into this photography pursuit. Edit: Okay so I subbed and watched some more of your video's and now know who you work for. I want to learn how to get into this gig.

[@Paul_Rutherford]

Thanks for watching! Glad you saw who I work for when I shoot the pro stuff. I also get hired directly by colleges and high school to shoot for their teams. It's a mix of people that hire me. Other people photographing the games are employed by the teams, newspapers, or depending on the sport even well known blogs and media websites. I'm working on a video about how I got started. Stay tuned!

[@callmehank88]

@@Paul_Rutherford Great, thanks for the reply and I'm looking forward to that video.

[@mikegraham2477]

Really liked your slower shutter speed pan images. I photograph my son’s hockey and soccer teams (amateur level stuff) and hoping to give it a go whenever COVID allows us to start up again. Just hoping you could share your starting camera settings to achieve that look. Thanks.

[@Paul_Rutherford]

Appreciate it! I change between 1/5 and 1/50th of a second depending of how zoomed in I am and how bold I'm feeling!. F/stop around f/4 or f/5.6 and ISO really low depending on available light.

[@mikegraham2477]

Thanks again. Also going to try the fish eye at ice level. Have to say I have watched quite of few of these type of videos and your approach stands out. It’s different and yields unique shots which I am going to try to steal for my own.

[@Paul_Rutherford]

@@mikegraham2477 The fisheye does look really cool when players are up against the glass. Thanks for watching!

[@alexwalworthphotography8243]

Love the video man! Helps me out quite a bit! I do some Tampa Bay Lightning games and have been thinking about investing into a 300mm 2.8 and a 1.4 extender for all sports that I do from hockey, to football, to baseball and more. I use a 1dx body and I don’t quite have the money for a 400 2.8 just yet as I’m still pretty young (nearly 22) would that be a smart move to get a 300 2.8 and then a 1.4 extender? Let me know, big fan of the videos man!

[@Paul_Rutherford]

Thanks for watching! I haven't personally used an extender so I can't speak to the quality of doing that. But the reach of that set up would be great for outdoors, might be a little long for indoor sports, although then you could just use the 300 by itself. I used KEH when I bought my 300 and 400 used, they have good black Friday deals sometimes. Good luck!

[@alexwalworthphotography8243]

@@Paul_Rutherford thank you! Mainly looking to get it for football as a 70-200 can be good when the play comes to you but when it’s on the other sidelines it’s tough! Thanks for your input! I really appreciate it! Will look into KEH!

[@ThePixeluser]

@alexwalworth This is exactly the combination I use EOS 1Dx with a 300 2.8 IS Gen I and a 1.4 converter Gen II when playing soccer. The autofocus is not quite as fast as with a 400 2.8 IS but it is quite enough. The pictures are also sharp. I find the quality perfectly adequate even with the converter. Nevertheless, I save up for the 200-400.

[@alexwalworthphotography8243]

@@ThePixeluser thank you so much for that! Makes me feel a lot better! You got Instagram? Would love to see your work!

[@ThePixeluser]

@@alexwalworthphotography8243 no I do not have an instagram account, you can see some older stuff on my website

[@ReginaldEsque]

Would like to know about using the Canon 8-15 fisheye

[@Paul_Rutherford]

Wish I could tell you more about recent photos, but no ice level shots yet. Honestly I bought it when I was first starting out and it isn't really a necessary lens. I've thought about selling it a few times. I do love the photos I can get in hockey and sometimes for team huddles, but it probably only makes 10 good images a year. Still an awesomely unique look!

[@kennethjohansen2135]

Hej supper vidio, what are the setting using ? is not a lot of light there ?

[@Paul_Rutherford]

Thanks! Actually not bad light for an indoor stadium. Was shooting 1/1600th, F/4, and ISO 2000

[@phknutson]

Do you have a technique for recording or remembering who scored (time into period) and in what photo? Do you provide info along with photo uploads?

[@Paul_Rutherford]

I caption the images myself between periods but don't need to provide the time of the goal. To make sure I know who scored I keep the gamecast up on ESPN to give me the info. Sometimes I will take extra pictures of the player that scored or the scoreboard so I know when it happened.

[@whowho8470]

I had a chance to photograph a minor league hockey game one time and I thought it was really difficult. Being on ice level and trying to shoot thru the glass is horrible. I was also struggling getting a consistent white balance. The arena was prob not lit as well as a pro team. Do u use a gray card to set WB before the game?

[@Paul_Rutherford]

Shooting through the glass is terrible! The glass normally has a greenish tint to it. I try to take a photo before the game and put it into Lightroom to find what white balance I like the most. Then use kelvin mode on manual for the game.

[@whereitsb]

hey i wondering what kinf of lens u used it?.

[@Paul_Rutherford]

I mostly used a 400mm and 70-200 to shoot the game

[@thebestlucas_albrecht]

I want to get into ice hockey photography, what camera should I use

[@Paul_Rutherford]

Camera choice is a personal choice depending on a lot of factors, but I'd say you need to have a 70-200 lens to get started. Camera choice depends on budget and what you'll be using the camera for.

[@thebestlucas_albrecht]

@@Paul_Rutherford idk I think like 1000 max