SPORTS PHOTOGRAPHY at the OLYMPICS: Three Golden Rules & Watching Your Backgrounds!

Спорт

The Tokyo Olympics will be starting soon, so I want to share a few things that go through every sports photographer's brain while they are shooting either the summer or winter games: that is following the "three golden rules" of sports photography, as well as paying attention to backgrounds. Keep these tips in mind, even in your day-to-day photography!
0:00 Introduction
2:30 Three Golden Rules
3:58 Watch Your Backgrounds!
6:48 Apply These Tips at Home
ABOUT ME:
I currently work as a director of photography and content at USA Today Sports. As part of our national and worldwide distribution, you've likely seen my work in many publications including but not limited to USA Today, The New York Times, Chicago Tribune, ESPN, and Sports Illustrated.
🛒 Products I use or refer to in my videos:
-Pelican 1535 Rolling Case: amzn.to/3roy6Pu
-ThinkTank International Bag: amzn.to/3rjFFXB
-ThinkTank Memory Card Wallet: amzn.to/3jgKTk9
-ThinkTank 70-200 Rain Cover: amzn.to/3cG8HfM
-ThinkTank Long Lens Rain Cover: amzn.to/3pQaaEc
-PocketWizard Tranceiver Set: amzn.to/3tq9Ii5
-Magic Arm Kit: amzn.to/39QUr2d
***DISLCIAMER: The links above are affiliate links, which means at no extra cost to you, I will make a small commission when you make a qualifying purchase using those links. You are under no obligation to buy or use these links, but doing so helps support this channel and the content on the show!
#jerrytlai #sportsphotography
SUBSCRIBE!: / @jerrytlai
FOLLOW ME on IG: / jerrytlai

Пікірлер: 48

  • @MichaelKantormusic
    @MichaelKantormusic3 жыл бұрын

    Good reminders of what photographers sometimes forget. Have a great time in Tokyo. Wish I was there. Maybe do a story on the camera support people there. The thousands of lenses and repair people working

  • @JerryTLai

    @JerryTLai

    3 жыл бұрын

    Thanks for the comment! I have several ideas of some behind the scenes I'd like to try to do. We'll see what I'll be able to pull off. Stay tuned!

  • @Jerseymikephoto
    @Jerseymikephoto3 жыл бұрын

    Great info as always Jerry. Enjoy Tokyo!

  • @JerryTLai

    @JerryTLai

    3 жыл бұрын

    Thanks for watching!

  • @flw88
    @flw883 жыл бұрын

    Well said Chief! Sports photography is action, emotion, and reactions! More of this type of tutorial will benefit all. Cheers!

  • @JerryTLai

    @JerryTLai

    3 жыл бұрын

    I got a lot busier in Tokyo than expected, but I will be back to making videos soon!

  • @ronaldwise6563
    @ronaldwise65633 жыл бұрын

    Thank you for the information, safe travels and enjoy yourself. How can I become a USA Today sports photographer?

  • @lhp...2480
    @lhp...24803 жыл бұрын

    I am grateful for this video. It's good to hear from an experienced person. Thank you, Jerry.

  • @JerryTLai

    @JerryTLai

    3 жыл бұрын

    Appreciate that! Thanks for watching!

  • @carlosdias1940
    @carlosdias19403 жыл бұрын

    Hi Jerry, probably there by now! Safe travels and thank you again for the heads up! Cheers

  • @pascalkesselmark7529
    @pascalkesselmark75293 жыл бұрын

    Thanks for sharing and have fun in Tokyo.

  • @JerryTLai

    @JerryTLai

    3 жыл бұрын

    Between all the crazy rules and regulations they put in place for this edition, I will certainly try! :-)

  • @pascalkesselmark7529

    @pascalkesselmark7529

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@JerryTLai oh yes, i remember all those crazy rules and restrictions in the winter when I was shooting some FIS events. And I imagine the olympics must be the same x10.

  • @NikCan66
    @NikCan663 жыл бұрын

    Always Brilliant content and informative video

  • @JerryTLai

    @JerryTLai

    3 жыл бұрын

    Much appreciated! Thanks for watching!

  • @NikCan66

    @NikCan66

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@JerryTLai enjoy the Olympics from a lockdown Ireland.

  • @vthian
    @vthian3 жыл бұрын

    Good video, see you in Tokyo

  • @JerryTLai

    @JerryTLai

    3 жыл бұрын

    Hope so!

  • @marwanmahmud
    @marwanmahmud2 жыл бұрын

    Good tips! I specialize in equestrian photography.. It's my goal to become an Olympic Photographer some day covering the equestrian shows 👍👍👍

  • @JerryTLai

    @JerryTLai

    2 жыл бұрын

    Thanks for watching! Keep at it, there are a lot of people who go into the Olympics as sports specialists or on sport specific credentials. I met someone this year who went to the Olympics on a credential to cover all the climbing events!

  • @marwanmahmud

    @marwanmahmud

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@JerryTLai Thanks for the encouraging words! Who knows i will be able to shoot with you someday 😃👍🤗

  • @paultrunfull3324
    @paultrunfull33243 жыл бұрын

    Stay safe, have fun.

  • @JoCoMoreno
    @JoCoMoreno3 жыл бұрын

    Gahhhhhh why would you do this to me?! I hope to one day shoot at the olympics.

  • @oystershell6864
    @oystershell68642 жыл бұрын

    我会说普通话,我識講廣東話,I'm a native English speaker. What language should I learn next? I did learn French at school. LOL. Loved the bit about how you got the Beijing assignment. Just found your channel coincidently when I am getting back into sports photography. I do need to be more aware of the background which sometimes can be challenging at eye level with the audience around. Cropping is essential. Thanks for putting up your knowledge on KZread.

  • @JerryTLai

    @JerryTLai

    2 жыл бұрын

    Thank you for watching! Since you already know Mandarin and English, I'd say Spanish, just because it's more widely spoken and practical in many parts of the world. Re: your other question, yes backgrounds are very important. Sometimes it is indeed out of your control, but still something to pay attention to as you position yourself on the field.

  • @berthindman5778
    @berthindman57783 жыл бұрын

    Have a great time at the Olympics. I'd add don't be afraid to shoot where the crowd of photographers are all together. You could get that unique shot they won't.

  • @JerryTLai

    @JerryTLai

    3 жыл бұрын

    Sometimes the crowd is there for a reason, but sometimes it's good to break away :-)

  • @John-ms3zk
    @John-ms3zk3 жыл бұрын

    The tip about watching backgrounds is absolutely crucial! At the field for the Kenosha Kingfish, there are a ton of distractions I've been working on minimizing in my photos. I've gotten to the point where I know my crop before I take a shot, since the best lens I have at the moment is a 70-200 2.8. Jerry, I hope you have a great time in Tokyo! Looking forward to seeing your shots! Did you happen to see my email? Thank you!

  • @JerryTLai

    @JerryTLai

    3 жыл бұрын

    Backgrounds will make or break a photo shoot!

  • @hhsports2020
    @hhsports20202 ай бұрын

    Hello, What case do you use? Peli ? Which model ? I need the same size for the same lens.

  • @MrGflan
    @MrGflan2 жыл бұрын

    Thanks Jerry!! I am going to be shooting dog frisbee sports. The dogs will moving and twisting through the air. I use both a canon R6 and a 1DX. I was curious which case setting you usually like. I understand a lot of sports guys use case 4? Do you have any other recommendations? Do you like to modify by lowering tracking sensitivity so it stays on the subject for longer? Also, I know the R6 eye detection is very good, but do you ever find this hinders your sports shooting? Thanks!!

  • @paulhendren5603
    @paulhendren56033 жыл бұрын

    Jerry. Very informative video and helpful. In one of the still shots of the video you were using a Thinkpad. Was that a X230 which is the laptop that I use due to its size and ability to upgrade. Any recommendations on laptops?

  • @JerryTLai

    @JerryTLai

    3 жыл бұрын

    I really like Thinkpads (although I think their quality control has gone down over the years). Yes I have used the X230 before, I'm currently on a X390.

  • @thanhatbuio6860
    @thanhatbuio68603 жыл бұрын

    Vietnam's slot for journalist-reporter was limited to only 1 due to corona. And my newspaper is small, so we don't have enough budget and chance to compete. So sad, i have dreamed about Tokyo 2020 since highschool (i chose to study Japanese Language Major in college because of it), it was in my bucket list,...now it will only exist in my dreams

  • @JerryTLai

    @JerryTLai

    3 жыл бұрын

    Wow only one slot? That is very strict! I feel lucky to be here, but I am also a little sad as well. I have been studying Japanese for three years and with the strict rules in place I don't feel I really get the chance to explore - and practice my new language skills - as much as I would have liked.

  • @thanhatbuio6860

    @thanhatbuio6860

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@JerryTLai even in normal state, there are only 2-3 slots. Anyway, i love your video Mr.Lai, they taught me a lot. It's good to hear that you are studying Japanese too, a very interesting language.

  • @sportsshooter2574
    @sportsshooter25743 жыл бұрын

    Access is key to capturing great images. However not all photographers are given this access. If you work for a main stream agency , Getty, PA etc and you are a senior photographer given the freedom to roam, then yes you can use your years of experience to create art.

  • @garyn7067

    @garyn7067

    Жыл бұрын

    The grass is greener on the other side of the fence. I disagree. You can get a LOT of good pics from the public seats/area. You just have to open your eyes and mind and see what shots you can get from different locations. I can shoot on the field and court floor, but I often get refs or other players in front of me, blocking the shot. But when shooting from the bleachers, I am shooting OVER those problems, with a clear shot of the players. When I shoot volleyball, I spend about a quarter to a third of my time up in the bleachers, for that exact reason, to shoot over the blocking players. When shooting on the field or court floor, my background is often the distracting spectators. When shooting from the bleachers, my background is usually the non-distracting field itself or the the gym floor. Yes it is nice to say that I can shoot on the field, and I get a different point of view than from the bleachers. But I also have problems that you don't from the bleachers. It stinks when I am on the goal line at the end of a quarter, and have to fast walk 100 yards to the other end of the field, before the next quarter starts. Worse if I am behind the goal line, then it is a 140 yard run to the other end of the field. I sometimes did not make it. When you are in the bleachers, you also do not have to dodge and run from football players headed straight to you.

  • @sportsshooter2574

    @sportsshooter2574

    Жыл бұрын

    @@garyn7067 Not sure what 'the bleachers' are , but if you are an accredited photographer yes you can go to dedicated public areas that photographers are allowed and often do shoot creatively from there. However there is no way that you will be allowed to shot from seated areas distracting other spectators with a long lens of take photos when a goal is scored and everyone jumps up and down celebrating.

  • @Karina._.
    @Karina._. Жыл бұрын

    im trying to make it for the next games in paris but i cant find someone that will give me a greenlight like an agency , sport channels or just someone , any advice?

  • @boomer8930
    @boomer89303 жыл бұрын

    Great content jerry! Im looking at doing motorsport photography but im on a very limited budget $1000. Which camera and lens would you recommend? For the camera body i was thinking the canon 1ds mark iii and the lens a sigma 150-500. Any input would be very much appreciated.

  • @JerryTLai

    @JerryTLai

    3 жыл бұрын

    The 1D/1Ds line of cameras are great, but if you are looking in that generation you should look to the 1D Mark III or the 1D Mark IV. Those have slightly less megapixels but higher frame rate which is useful for sports compared to the 1Ds. I don't have experience with the Sigma 150-500, but it's a useful range just like the 100-400. Just be aware that with the slightly older generation cameras, you'll likely be limited to outdoor or daytime events with that lens unless the gyms you are in are very bright.

  • @boomer8930

    @boomer8930

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@JerryTLai thats great jerry! Thank you very much for your info. Think i will go for the 1d mark iii so i get a little more of the budet to spend on a lens. 1 last question - could you recommend a good canon lens for roughly $600. Your info has helped me alot. Thanks again

  • @LoveChristJesus
    @LoveChristJesus3 жыл бұрын

    Thanks man! I want to shoot birds and I take lesons from you.

  • @JerryTLai

    @JerryTLai

    3 жыл бұрын

    Birding is fun! A lot of the principles for sports and action photography certainly applies to wildlife!

  • @mikemalloy1681
    @mikemalloy1681 Жыл бұрын

    Don't know if you actually read these comments, but this was an excellent presentation. However, I suspect I will never be an "official" Olympic photographer. That being said, in 2028, the Olympic Games will return to Los Angeles. I would like to go, and photograph some of the minor sports that I have a personal interest in. Shooting, fencing, mountain biking. Not exactly venues that fill to capacity. I am not sure if I will be stuck in an assigned spectator seat with a Nikon 400mm lens, knocking heads as I try and get a good shot???? Can I wonder around or even just pop into the photographers box, or will they kick me out? Because of my knowledge of these sports, I have observed photos taken even at the Olympic level and noted that most photographers of these "minor" sports do not understand the sport and is just photographing movement. Each of these minor sports have specific movements and positions that are known to those who love to shoot, fence, mountain bike, but would be oblivious to someone who's principal interest is football. Thus, I would like to be able to photograph these types of events, from some location other than a spectator seat. Is that possible?

  • @JerryTLai

    @JerryTLai

    Жыл бұрын

    Hi Mike, thanks for watching. I have not been great with keeping up with this channel this year but I appreciate the comments. So it's interesting you mentino this - because you're right - most photographers who cover the Olympics do not really specialize in the 'minor sports.' While they are very talented and adaptable to various situations, it takes a while to understand the flow of some of these contests. That said, the Olympics do credential 'sports specialist' photographers who only cover one certain event. For example, in Tokyo I met a sport climbing only photographer, and in London, I had met equestrian only photographers. So if there is something you are very passionate about, that could be your way into LA.

  • @jaydropsvapereviewvlogbisa1261
    @jaydropsvapereviewvlogbisa12612 жыл бұрын

    I'm sad sir jerry lai 😥

Келесі