Pro Sports Stadium

Just wondering if anyone has shot inside of a pro sports stadium. Just wondering how difficult it is to get permission. Typically do you need to get permission from the NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL, etc or just from the stadium management?

I would think this isn't too easy, but may start making calls.

I'm guessing concert venues and theatres are fairly easy...

I'm not looking to shoot during games, but the empty stadiums set up for the sports event.

I know with film production you usually have to provide insurance, but I wouldn't think this would be necessary for a 1 person still photo shoot.

Also any suggestions on filters for color photography or just try to white balance in the darkroom.

Something about all the empty seats fascinates me...

Thanks!

Since I am a former newspaper photographer, having photographed the NY Giants for 3 season, and then off to USA Today shooting all sorts of sports and concerts, stadium credentials are usually issued by the home team or the performers management, not the league or the stadium management. Usually you must be shooting for 'someone', not yourself. Meaning the photographs will be used in publication for whom you are shooting.

Concerts are not easy to photograph because the artists control their image. Usually the professionals shooting a concert are limited to 1 to 3 songs and then they must leave.

The best way to shoot under all those funky lights in color is the dreaded 'D' word style camera. The next best way is color negative film. Under theater lighting you can try using Tungsten balanced chrome film.

Having shot so many events, believe me the empty seats lose their fascination.

another problem you will come across is contrast in indoor venues... lighting is usually aimed towards the floor, with the goal of trying to keep stray light off of the seating areas. depending on the arena you could have huge contrast issues, arenas are usually dark especially past the first rows.

I regularly attend NY Yankee games. I've not brought a camera to the games only because I don't want to be bothered worrying about dropping it when I get "into the game".

But at least at Yankeee Stadium they have fairly liberal policy - no permission needed and no questions asked so long as lenses are under 200mm.

These days you mainly see tons of digiP&S and camera phones noticeable by their tell-tale flash. It's espescially noticable during a night game when a popular player such as Derek Jeter comes to the plate.

I have been at Fenway Park a few times this year with my Hasselblad. Yesterday I rented a 250mm Sonnar and they let me in with no problems. I'm going again tomorrow, but without the extra lens. If you go in early enough before a game there is usually ample opportunity to walk around and shoot it at different angles. I got there about 90 minutes before game time and they let me in.

As for films, I've had reasonable success at ISO 400 and above once it's dark out and you're under the lights. I've shot Provia 400F, HP5+, and Portra 400VC. I'm going to try some Delta 3200 tomorrow.

I shot at a Pirates game and got some cool slides. No problem at all with taking the camera in - they wanted to see what was in my bag, but they didn't care that it was a camera.

I've never tried shooting anywhere when it was empty, though. The toughest part of that would be finding someone to let you in.

I think it was two summers ago when I took my Mamiya C220 with me to a Seattle Mariners game at Safeco field. No problems whatsoever, although I received lots of fascinated looks.

If you get there for batting practice, they'll let you go right down to the front row.

No one complained when I walked right down the aisle to the field level during one of the middle innings to grab a shot or two, although I was very careful to minimize any possible interference with those who paid the higher prices to sit in the expensive seats (we were in great seats, but up a level or two).

I expect the nature of the camera helped - it sort of screams photographer, but not photographer only interested in making a buck.

I'll see if I can scan a shot or two from that day (I was shooting Ektachrome) and post them here.

By the way, Safeco is a great place to experience a game.

Matt

ethylphenethylamine said:

Just wondering if anyone has shot inside of a pro sports stadium. Just wondering how difficult it is to get permission. Typically do you need to get permission from the NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL, etc or just from the stadium management?

Click to expand...

I did a large commissioned job for FOX Sports about 10 years ago where I did just this in stadiums across the US. Although I was given pretty much free reign in every one I went to, I was never allowed on the field in any of the stadiums. All were shot in the off-season as the goal of the project was to make the stadiums the characters and not the sporting events. As for permissions, it will depend upon your final usage. Start with the stadium management, owners, etc. It will not be easy without some sort of assignment. You will also have to provide proof of your own business/liability insurance.

HERE is what remains of my project online....

Best of luck!

Bill