How I got started in SPORTS PHOTOGRAPHY. Building your portfolio.
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- čas přidán 28. 04. 2020
- How I got started in SPORTS PHOTOGRAPHY. Building your portfolio.
In this video I run through how I got started with Sports Photography and how to build your portfolio.
As usual, comment below and I will reply as soon as I can.
Thanks for your continued support guys, it really is much appreciated.
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Hi Mark - I’m on year 2 of the same journey shooting with Cove Rangers who have just been promoted to SPFL 1 in Scotland. I’m still trying to get my editing up to speed with Photo Mechanic and Lightroom. But it’s difficult when your under time pressure to get the images sent just after the game ! I’ve seen your workflow video and can’t wait to get back to Football again.
Hi Dave. Thanks for getting in touch. Greta that you're already covering a side and sounding like you are building a nice portfolio. Keep going as you are and I'm sure the rewards will come! fingers crossed we're back pitchside again soon! Keep in touch and let us know how you get on.
Its brilliant that your hard work & passion is paying off, VERY well done & deserved.
Thanks Mark. Lots of blood, sweat n tears but we’ll worth it. Thanks for watching👍🏻
Thank you so much for this video and others 🙌 I am just starting sport photography and I love it 🥰
Thank you for sharing this, really inspirational for someone just starting out at local clubs.
Anytime Toby. Thanks for getting in touch and supporting the channel👍🏻
Much respect Mark,such videos inspire me a lot especially when times get hard in the photography industry.You've just inspired me to start shooting sports.Thank you
Ah that’s great to hear treymax photography. Thanks for getting in touch and supporting the channel👍🏻
I loved this Chapter !!!
Started to follow you recently on here and must say your work and advice is very inspiring, as I just got started with sports photography after many years shooting at weddings. Thank you for this video, its so useful!
Thanks for your support Pedro. Pleased you’re enjoying the videos. Good luck with the sports, keep in touch and let us know how you get on once we’re back up and running! Catch up soon Pedro👍🏻
You explained everything straight and honest. I appreciate that. Good work (both the CZcams and the sports photography)!!!
Thanks for watching, appreciate your support. Honesty is always the best policy👍🏻
Another great and informative video. Whilst I only photograph my local team , it’s good to hear a story how someone can progress to the highest level. Keep doing the videos as they are not just a great insight, but also very helpful to those just trying to improve our photography. Cheers.
Thanks Nick and really appreciate your support. It's great to know the videos are useful to you. Hope you're well and catch up soon.
I took a slightly different path starting at the top rather than the bottom rung of the ladder which was a big mistake! I accompanied a freelance friend of mine to a Manchester United game and got in using his colleague’s pass who was covering the British Lions tour of South Africa at the time. The experience was overwhelming as you could imagine for any budding amateur like myself and my settings (like your early shots lol) were all over the place. This was in the early 80’s and the days of film. I had snapped the only goal of the match and had to unwind the rest of the blank reel to hand to a ‘runner’ who went on to process the picture back in the journalists room. I was gutted to find out that my photo didn’t make the next day’s sports page but not only that, I didn’t even get to see it! I then went on to shoot weddings until retirement though I am back into football at non-league level albeit it being voluntarily. Maybe my path would have been a lot different if I had started there in the first place!
Great video Mark 👍🏻
Thanks David. Great to read how you started out, very different yes! I raise my cap to you on the weddings front! I couldn’t do weddings for any amount of time that you have! I never really got on with weddings, people always wanting everything for nothing I found! I probably took on the wrong type of client mind! Thanks David
Great story & journey - thanks for sharing Mark
Thanks Andrew, pleased you liked the video👍🏻
Thanks for sharing this awesome story with us!
Thanks for watching Peter👍🏻
Great content as usual. Its amazing how many of us have travelled the same path.
Thanks Sean. We definitely do it for the love of it some days, that’s for sure! Just sitting down to watch the White House documentary👍🏻
Fascinating (and encouraging) story!
Thanks for you support Nick👍🏻
I absolutely loved this video Mark. Your story and progression in sports photography is not dissimilar to mine in music, though I've yet to reach your level - maybe one day! Your enthusiasm is infectious and as in time I'd like to try and shoot sport, this video is more than a little inspirational. Thank you.
Ah really kind words there LoungeStock, thank you and appreciate your support👍🏻 Good luck if you do venture into Sport and keep in touch.
AMAZING video again Mark, you do tend to play down your Fantastic skills, thanks again for your great motivational videos, Top Class, 👍
Ah thanks, really appreciate that. Thanks for your great support on the channel too.
A great insight, many thanks for sharing this with us
Thanks John. It was actually quiet enjoyable going over it all again
Everyone's journey is different, loved hearing yours. Couldn't agree more on the love, sweat and tears. Having a supportive family also helps, tons of hours away from home, but then the mind is healthy cause you're also doing what you love. Nice revamp on the CZcams room :) I take it the frame behind you hanging on the wall is special? Great video Mark!
Thanks David. Yes, the frame paper clip is a Times front page of Australia’s Steve Smith batting through all the boo’s he received during last years summer tour! Quite proud that they used it as a n FC👍🏻
@@MarkKerton Excellent! Thank you for sharing.
Another brilliant video Mark!
Your great-grandkids will thank you in time for a wonderful trip through your entry to sports photography.
I’m enjoying working my way through your channel, I can safely say it’s one of the top ones I’ve seen recently for both information and cheerfulness.
I do find I need to lie down for a rest after watching you in action at the sideline….you must go home shattered from both the physicality of throwing those bodies and lenses around and the 90+ minutes of pure focus required to catch those wonderful shots.
Hope you’re back in full swing soon.
Thanks for the insights and regards from Dublin.
Thanks for those kind words. Appreciate your support on the channel. Quite ironic though that I’m shooting zero sport right now! Really enjoying the landscape alternative though! Hope you are too!
Hi Mark. Bit late to the video but really interesting to watch. Appreciate you putting it up.
My dads always been a big football fan and his friend played in the NFL and now his son was just drafted to the 49ers. But it wasn’t until I got on the field in 8th grade that I realized I enjoyed the sport. I liked the thrill and adrenaline. The energy of the players and coaches. Plus the view was nice...I’m a sophomore in highschool now and decided I’m gonna try and shoot for the NFL Focus team one day. I’m working on learning the sport and improving on my pics. A lot of the players have told me they go hard. But Ik there’s always room for improvement and this was a great video!
Thanks for watching Murphie. I hope you can progress with your photography and get to the top. Thanks for watching and good luck
Great advice thank you.
Thanks for watching👍🏻
Thanks for your videos Mark, They're really interesting to watch. Good to see the side of sports photography that most of us will never get the chance to do. "Subscribed"
Thanks Alan, really appreciate that👍🏻 Sadly no sport for me lately due to all the tightened accreditation! Hopefully now fans are allowed back in, they’ll let more of us in to cover games🤞🏻Thanks for watching Alan👍🏻
Great information and well done on your achievement!
Thanks Michael, appreciate your support on the channel👍🏻
Great video Mark. It brings back memories of when I first started out at around the age of 16. I loved sports and I loved photography and wanted to build up a portfolio myself. In order for me to get into the sporting events I went and got some letterhead paper printed from my local printers on some nice paper with a fictitious sports agency name and typed up a letter on my typewriter asking for a press pass for one of our sports photographers, that photographer being me. I started by sending a letter to my football team i support, Arsenal, and to my surprise I got a letter back with credentials to the game I requested. After that success I sent letters out to all the major sporting events that were going on and I had about a 75% success return rate. This led me to having an interview with Allsport but it didn't pan out. I continued to improve on my portfolio but I had to give it all up when I moved out to the States. Thanks for this video, I loved every bit of it.
Hi Kelly. Thanks for letting out your top secret there. It did make me smile reading that. Great idea, however I know for certain we wouldn’t get away with that nowadays🤣 A shame you had to give it up after the move! Life changes though for many reasons! At least you have the good memories to share. Thanks for getting in touch Kelly, appreciate your support on the channel. Catch up soon👍🏻
Hi Mark, I live in Holland and had the same journey. The blood, sweat and tears part is very important. You have to put in a lot of time and energy to get where you want to be. Not so glorious but I did enjoy it every bit. Now hopefully the games will start in september so that we can work again.
Thanks. Yes, it certainly shaped me up to appreciate every day I’m out with my camera for sure! FINGERS CROSSED we’re pitchside again soon. Thanks for your support on the channel👍🏻
Awesome sharing your story of getting started. I'm quite keen on sports photography, particularly bicycle road racing and its quite a challenge for me but feel I'd like to progress more as I enjoy it and hope I produce something that others like.
Great story Mark. The difference in quality of images when you stepped up to 1DX and 400 is amazing. I shot that Tour of Britain cycling too - only one stage in Wales on a very hot day. I bet the website for Action Plus is on meltdown at the moment with enquiries lol! Anyway, great video - I always enjoy them.
Thanks Pete. I know! I suddenly realised “oh no” I bet Actionplus will be receiving a few enquires! Oh well, might help them out I guess! Enjoyed covering the ToB, was great fun. I only covered the Saturday and Sunday, Saturday being somewhere in north Norfolk to Ipswich! Covered some miles that weekend! All good for the portfolio though! Great to hear from you Pete. Catch up soon👍🏻
Hello. Really interesting. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for the insight!!
Anytine👍🏻 Thanks for supporting the channel
Love your channel great Vids and fantastic info. 👍
Thanks Glen, appreciate your support
Fun to watch. Started with DSRL 18 month ago and building up my port folio too :D Am doing a lot indoor handball, event and wildlife. Good inspiration and interesting to see what you have in your bag. Was lucky to get 6D and 7D2 used + lenses rather cheap. Had expected to do a lot this year, until COVID-19 :( I check out some more videos :D
Hi Erik Juel Raun. Thanks for getting in touch. Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for your support, good luck and keep in touch👍🏻
Nice video, reminds me of my own start many years ago, developing films in the hotels where I was staying for an event WC or European contest!
It’s a tough start aye! I too used to get home from an event and dev the negs! How times have changed
Great insight Mark.
Thanks for watching Giles, appreciate that. Glad you found it interesting👍🏻
Hi mate. Very inspiring. I'm currently 47 and been doing local grassroots football for a couple of years.
My 2 cameras are and 80d and an EosR. Just bought a 70 200 f2.8
Very inspiring
Thanks for watching Gavin. Tough times at the moment! Sounds like you’re collecting a nice selection of kit. Good luck with it all👍🏻
great video ❤! now I'm 14 yo and I want to be a photographer for real madrid, you motivated me really well and gave me information that I've been looking for a while ❤✊🏻
That’s great to hear. Thanks for watching and good luck with your photography👍🏻
Great video!
Thanks Richard👍🏻
Well done from Ontario Canada. Keep up the passion.
Thanks for watching👍🏻 Stay safe over there!
all round good advise for someone starting out Mark, start with the small events/clubs it's a foot through the door of sports/event photography that's how I started.
Thanks for watching👍🏻
Really inspiring story.
Thanks for watching Gerard👍🏻
Great video. Really interesting to hear about your journey 👍
Thanks Kevin, appreciate it👍🏻
Excellent story and journey!!! Enjoyed hearing about your experiences!!
By the way - I like the new set! The camera display is perfect!!
Thanks Stephen. Glad you enjoyed. Hopefully, it might help one or two out on their journeys too.
Ah thanks. I started out with my father's Zenit back in the day. Found a set of 6 on ebay recently and so had to incorporate a shelf for them! Get the foam on the wall and it should be about right!
Great video Mark!
Thanks for watching Chris👍🏻
Well done mate 🤩🙌🏻
Thanks for watching, glad you enjoyed it👍🏻
You know it’s a good video when there is no dislikes on the video!
Haha, sshh! Thanks for supporting the channel.
Great photography cheers mate
Thanks for watching, appreciate your support👍🏻
Can't believe I've only just watched this. Great vid Mark. Also your early photos weren't that bad Hahaha!
g
Good advice thank you.
Thanks for telling us about your channel, fellow sports photographer!
Hi Charley. Thanks for supporting the channel. Stay safe
@@MarkKerton , will do Mark!
Same here westham born and bred great vlog fella
Ah never realised that Lee! COYI!
Great video
Glad you enjoyed it, thanks for watching👍🏻
I started with Action Plus and still have a lot of respect to the Agency. Great video Mark. I still need to sort my website. 🤦🏻♂️
That’s right Jon, I’ll always speak highly of Action Plus. I wouldn’t be where I am today without them. Now get on with that website🤣👍🏻
That’s right Jon, I’ll always speak highly of Action Plus. I wouldn’t be where I am today without them. Now get on with that website🤣👍🏻
Awesome video!
Thanks👍🏻
Great video and insight. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Ash. It was great to dig the frames out👍🏻
Mark Kerton When contacting the agency’s how did you send over your portfolio if they wanted a copy or was it just by your website?
Hi Ash. Good Q. Like you said, they just ask for a web address nowadays, nice and easy that way. Hope that helps
Nice video Mark
Hi Rob. Thanks, appreciate that. Hope you and the family are well👍🏻
This really motivates me.. Hope i can share the sideline with You some day..Love From India ❣️❣️
Ah that’s great, pleased you liked the video. Good luck👍🏻
Yet to shoot Cardiff City. The pinnacle. Keep on shooting mate, it’ll come. Jim from Kairdiff. Respect 👏👏👏
Thanks Jim. It’s actually come and gone now unfortunately!
Great video Mark! I've been at the very bottom of the sports photography food chain at the minute floating between local non-league/Sunday League games. You've motivated me to make the next step thank you. I have a question, how did you find the agency? Was it local to you or was it a case of googling agencies nationally.
Keep up the great work!
Keep inspiring 👍
David.
Thanks for watching David. That’s great that it has motivated you in some way. I searched online for sports photography agencies and just contacted them all👍🏻
Have just discovered your channel. I'm basically wildlife but like to view other genres. Have done a bit of local and kids sport.
Interested to hear you were in the RAF. I was a ground photographer in the RAF from 81 to 89.
Hi Robert. Thanks for checking the channel out👍🏻 I imagine you had a great time in the RAF section. I really enjoyed my time at Cranwell. Not quite serving though, I was a civvy working for Serco. If you’re on fb would be great to see your wildlife shots on our group “Photography Chat” Thanks for watching and keep in touch👍🏻
Great to hear your progress. did you ever try catching mountain biking in the forest.
Thanks for watching Phillip. I wish I’d looked into the mountain bike scene! Being a keen rider myself I think I’d have grabbed some ok ish compositions, perhaps🤣
I'm really impressed with your work and openness. My name is Uthman Jeng a sports photojournalist from The Gambia West Africa and would like to get some more tips on how make good and brethren photos in sports.
Thanks, Mark for an interesting video. It was great to see how your photography improved as you photographed more events. I am the club photographer for my local football team but I am keen to push on further. It left me with the question of when you started to buy more professional cameras and bought your first 400mm lens? I hope you enjoyed dinner!!
Hi Alistair. Good question raised, one area I never went into! I upgraded my kit to 2 1Dx’s, 70-200, 400 and so on towards the end of the Eastleigh season. Only just finished paying for it all! Great that you are already involved with a club, that’s a big step in the right direction. Keep positive and you will get to where you want to be! Haha, Dinner was lovely, I’m spoilt! Thanks for your support Alistair. Catch up soon👍🏻
Hi Mark, wonderful video! Definitely one of the most inspiring stories I’ve heard. Very motivating. I love sports and have a strong interest in photography. I have a couple of questions regarding costs of equipment etc. Considering you started out on commission payments, which you said weren’t fantastic pay, how difficult was it to ensure you had solid equipment that was good enough for the job? I know how expensive the gear can be. Keep up the great work mate, love the channel :)
Hi Lachlan. Thanks for your kind words, glad you enjoyed the video. It was a tough decision to make when I decided to purchase a Mac Laptop, two 1Dx bodies, a 400 and a 70-200! Obviously not bought outright and I've not long finished paying it all off! However, I knew it was what I wanted to do long term and so took on the payments! It ment working more hours in my day job and some Sunday's but all worth while. Hope that helps and thanks for supporting the channel Lachlan.
Great video as usual and a similar background as yourself but Athletics, Tennis, GAA, Motorbike racing are very difficult to get media accreditation here in Ireland.
Thanks NIkCan👍🏻 Yep, lot of time & effort needed to gain accreditation for sure!
Mark Kerton Well I suppose I will redo my website and update the portfolio whilst this virus is going on. Looking forward to seeing any collaborative work going ahead
Great video again mate, I like you even more now I found out your a Hammers fan COYI
Oh nice one Graham. You are now the TOP subscriber🤣 Think a void will do us a favour!
@@MarkKerton yeah me to, terrible season but to tell you the truth I can't remember the last time I was a happy Hammer..... Its been a while
Hey Mark, liked the video bud 👍😉
Hi Darren. Thanks. A video I’ve been meaning to do for a while!
Mark Kerton You mentioned early on in the video that your settings were all the place when learning sport’s photography, so what are you using now as applied to back in the early days? Is it down the to gear you had then and have now that’s changed the way you shoot?
Hi Darren. I think in general I was so taken in by being at the match that I simply overlooked my settings! BIG rooky mistake. I shoot 1650th - 2000th now if I can, keeping the iso as low as possible obviously. The 1Dx is fantastic with high iso's so its hardly ever an issue. The 600D and 100-400 f5.6 I started with back then was so poor for sport, I had no choice but to invest if I was to progress! Hope that helps Darren.
I shot premier league football for over 20 years. Now retired, well from Sports Photography anyway!
Hi there. Thanks for getting in touch. You covered the good old days then by the sounds of it. Where about's are you based then and what matches did you cover?
Mark, before I get into my questions, let me just say, from one ex-forces to another, I do miss my Wednesday sporties lol.
So, I'm so glad I found this video. I've just commented on one of your other videos but this has pretty much answered my question.
Onto some more from this video, is agency plus still a route into this these days? This, 100%, is what I would love to do. If you ever do another photo critique, I know you've just finished one, I would really appreciate your feedback on some of the sports images I've taken over the last year or so. I haven't done loads but I have just taken the first step by approaching my local non-league team to ask if they would allow me to come and take some photos of their home games.
I have so many questions I could go on forever but for now I will continue to work my way through your videos and ask along the way so apologies in advance for spamming your videos with questions.
Hi Mark, really interesting video. I've been doing photos for my local football club for almost a year now and would love to go further. I've been into photography for some time now mainly family stuff, car shows and motorsport events and then thought i'd have a go at sports. I never thought i'd enjoy it so much the emotion and ups and downs of lower tier football is something I've never experienced before. I currently only shoot on a Canon 77d and generally use a 70-200 F4 (2.8 Is just out of reach at the moment). A second body is next on the list for definite so I can use my 150-500. I'm a life time Leeds fan for both football and rugby league so my ambitions are to get to both Elland Road and Headingley to photograph both. Anyway I just would like to say that I've found your video really helpful and informative and it has given me some things to think about. Would you say a website is a must, I have a Facebook page which I tend to put all my photos on. thanks.
Hi Dan. Thanks ever so much for watching. Glad it has helped out in some way. If it’s something you would like to pursue then it’s defo a good idea to have a website to show your work. It’s the first thing an agency or client will ask for. Good luck and keep in touch👍🏻
Fascinating insight Mark thanks. At what point did you realise the need to upgrade kit from your original gear. Was that a requirement of the agency to have certain standard ?
Thanks John. It did take king to realise my 600D & 100-400 were not good enough. So I pretty much had 2 1Dx’s, 400 & 70-200 by the end of the Eastleigh season. Plus, like you say, it’s pretty much industry standard to have the kit listed above! I had to send off a kit list before Actionplus gave me a go! 👍🏻
Greetings Mark!
Just want to say thank you. Lately I have been feeling doubts because I have felt stuck in the same place for the past 3 years (picked up my first camera and shit my first game in 2016) but your video reminded that hard work and diligence pays off in the end.
Lastly, want to ask you what platform you use for your websitedo you use to showcase your images? Thanks in advance!
Love the videos.
The one where you met up with the guys before the Southampton match - was that Sean with his back to the camera?
Thanks Martin. Ha yes, it sure is Sean! Well spotted👍🏻 Thanks for watching
@@MarkKerton thought I recognised the back of his head. Only really know him from our friend's Eurovision parties :)
Eurovision parties! I shall ask Sean about them then, hehe!
Hi Mark! I've been absolutely binging your videos recently. Lots of brilliant tips for us beginners. Had no idea you were from Lincoln! I've been doing photos for a women's team in North Lincolnshire - Gainsborough Trinity Women's FC - for a few months and your tips have been brilliant in helping me get the most out of my gear. With there only being one game per week, at most, are there any particular activities you'd recommend outside of sport that would be beneficial in improving my photography skills? Cheers!
Hi Jono. Thanks for watching the videos👍🏻
There’s some good wildlife to be photographed in Lincs, landscapes, woodlands and aviation keeps me busy too. Just good to keep the photo brain ticking over with a good variety really👍🏻
@@MarkKerton Brilliant mate. Been out and about doing some landscapes, getting to grips with my 70-200. Only got the f4 variant at the minute, but hoping to get as much use out of it as possible before upgrading to a f2.8.
Have you thought about opening a Patreon to help fund your adventures? I saw that you had a Ko-fi and I thought perhaps a Patreon might be a better option for a more continuous form of funding? Just a thought!
Keep up the great work, mate - love your content.
Hi Mark, another great video, thank you for sharing, but in it you laugh at the settings you were using as you accept you were only still learning at the time, Ive got a 5Dmk3 and a 70-200 2.8 lens but fail to get my images tack sharp, its really frustrating. I've got some great pics but I'm always critical its not as sharp as Id like, settings I use are Iso - Auto, SS 1600 and F stop varies between F2.8 - F16 depending on what I'm taking. would really appreciate you sharing what you use.. including focus points and metering used?.. thanks in advance ;-)
Hi Richard, thanks for watching this video too, great channel support. I’d try and stick between f2.8 and f5.6 on that lens, keeping a good depth of field, player sharp, background blurred type frames. I too shoot in auto iso, but remembering to keep an eye on it. I like auto iso as it then allows me to use exposure compensation easily. Hope that helps👍🏻
This has been inspiring, thank you so much for sharing... I want to start this journey. I have a 1Ds Mark III with a 24-105 lens. I would like hear from you what lenses did you start with.
From Zambia
Thanks for watching Stephen👍🏻 I started with a 100-400 and 70-200. Then swapped the 100-400 for a 400 f2.8
That was really interesting Mark, I never realised you were a full time sports photographer, that would be my dream job..but wow you certainly worked hard and jumped through a lot of hoops to get there so really well deserved ..those images were just awesome..I have often thought about trying to get media accreditation for Thruxton or Silverstone .Motorsport is my real passion followed by Football...but would need to say I work for a company,,Can anyone sign up with Action Plus and would you recommend them....or do you need special qualifications. ?
Thanks Martin. Yes, a LOT of hours spent building my portfolio! That’s the key I’d say Martin, a strong set of varying images is needed to get a slot with an agency. It’s the first question really when applying to any agency. Send us a portfolio and your website and we’ll be in touch! Before the sport I was a civvy contractor at RAF Cranwell. Made a video on it during lockdown “Time to get the archives out” Was a great job! And before that I shot a lot of motorsport, mainly Rallying. Sadly I’ve no film footage to make a video about it!
Might head over to Severnake this week perhaps, see what work comes in!? Some fantastic colours now isn’t there! Forest for first light I think tomorrow👍🏻
@@MarkKerton Thanks for that feedback Mark..something I should have started planning for20 years ago or more I think when I had less commitments..I have a couple of ideas for the future to maybe try and earn a bit of pocket money out of photography..but first like you say I am going to need to get together a strong portfolio..
If you get to Savernake have a great time, its looking better and better everyday..lots of colour and fungi..
One last thought, Have you ever been to the Forest of Dean. I went to a rally last year at Mallards Pike, but it got cancelled halfway through due to a bad crash so I went and explored the woodland..wow what a place that is, fantastic trees and scenery..
MUST get back to Severnake very soon! I’ve only seen The Forest of Dean whilst on my mountain bike! Some stunning scenery from what I can remember!
Hi Mark, another great video!... was going to ask you the very question of how you got into sports photography and what was your journey, next thing I know... you’ve produced this video. Happy days, great timing!...
Got a question for you, when you first started out with action plus, during that first season when you were travelling loads and going to lots of events... were there any ‘bad days at the office’ so to speak... where the images didn’t come out so well or the agency didn’t approve of them? Or even a memory card failure or your camera broke? If so What happened with the commission on those occasions from the agency?
I would love to get into sports photography as I love both sports and photography, football and f1 being my favourites! so this video has helped me out with a path and has inspired me to try it...
I went to the formula 1 a spectator in 2018 and I have the images on my website which I could use for a portfolio to show, would appreciate your feedback, if you have time... bear in mind I weren’t planning on doing anything with the images other than showcase them on my website... the page is www.maccaphoto.com/motorsport
Many thanks, keep the great videos coming
Matt M
Hi Matt, thanks for getting in touch. I appreciate your support on the channel. Regarding anything going wrong, I can think of quite a few times where I was stuck in traffic and didn’t make it to the ground till half-time once! I’ve had cameras breakdown, lenses breakdown, laptops fail, allsorts happening with the kit unexpectedly that stops you from capturing the moment! Dropping a memory card whilst trying to download the images and seeing it fall through a drainage grate! Flat tyre on the car on the way to the game! Plenty has gone wrong!
Regarding commissions, I only got paid for the images sold. So if it was a poor game or 0-0 and there wasn’t much to send in, I received £0! That happened A LOT! You really have to push through the bad days and look forward to the next!
I’ll take a look at your site and be in touch soon.
Thanks for getting in touch Matt. Catch up soon
Hi Mark, another long-suffering Hammer here. Really enjoying trawling through your channel and amazed at the amount of production work you guys have to do during a game. How quickly do the agencies want images after a goal/key incident, and anything you can pass on in terms of advice re workflow given what you know now compared to when you first started re the production side of things? Thanks
Thanks for watching Hugh. I am quite lucky in the fact that I have a remote editor sat back at the sports desk waiting to receive my images. So literally as soon as a goal is scored, or there is a foul or a bad tackle I basically speak into the back of the camera and it records a caption onto the image before hitting send. This only takes literally 5 to 10 seconds before it hits the desk so a really quick process.
Regarding the processing, always remember to check your horizons! Something that is seen quite a lot and such an easy edit. It’s always very important to get the horizon level or your goalposts vertical. Another key tip is to always try and fill the frame with your shot. The less cropping needed the better and the higher quality the image will be. I could go on for hours really but it would be a lot of reading. I have made a tips video if you haven’t spotted that one yet
@@MarkKerton Many thanks for taking the time to reply, Mark and also for the tips. I've been a sports photography fan since the 80s in the days of Steve Bacon at West Ham, and the great Peter Robinson, who has a great body of work, all primarily in the days before digital when there was none of the processing hurdles to overcome during games. Cheers for the channel, it's such a goldmine for us amateurs.
Ah good old Stevie Bacon, what a legend👍🏻 Looking forward to my first shift back pitchside on Aug14👍🏻
Hi Mark, I've been enjoying your channel and videos. Have you thought about doing one on the business side of things? Keep up the great work.
Thanks Bruce. Sport you mean? Business wise, there's not much to cover really. My agency covers all the organising. All I have to do is let them know my availability and then they send me the matches they require covering. We have to obtain a DataCo licence, again, applied for by the agency and sent to us. The only thing I have to remember to do is send in a monthly invoice really. Oh and remember which games I have covered, ha! Hope that helps Bruce.
@@MarkKerton Thanks for that Mark. I was wondering if they pay you a wage or is your income derived from selling the images directly to other media agencies or prints to fans. I shoot some sports events but mostly from a sponsors perspective, ie signage in the background, people in the crowd having fun, that sort of thing.
Ah sorry Bruce, yes, I receive a set shift rate for each game covered and that’s it. Obviously the agencies own the copyright so I can’t sell any images. Hence why right now, during this covid nightmare, I’m really pushing my landscape work. As I can sell prints, run tuition courses and the like. Time will tell what the future holds!
@@MarkKerton I've always wondered about that, thanks for enlightening me. Looking forward to seeing more of your videos, I'm currently watching the one you did a few months back with Rob Sambles whilst enjoying a morning coffee. Cheers from Aust.
Ah that’s great. Enjoyed filming with Rob, great guy! Planning another get together soon I think, should be good. Thanks again for your support Bruce👍🏻
in this video, you looked like iniesta more than iniesta himself. haha😂
Hi Mark, funny you mention Americas Cup, I was meant to be photographing that for my uncles employers until Cor*n* Virus came along. Hope you are well.
Daniel.
Hi Daniel, all good thank you. Hope you’re all good. Yes, such a shame isn’t it! I was due to cover it too! Fingers crossed it’s re-scheduled🤞🏻Catch up soon Daniel👍🏻
@@MarkKerton Yes of Course- Stay well mate.
Hi Mark. Can you talk more about your time taking pictures of Snooker. thank you
Hi Alfonso. I plan on a short snooker video soon. Sad to hear the passing of Willie Thorne today!
Thanks Mark, funny and interesting. Like it 👍. One wish I have: Can you please turn off the music, it‘s quite distracting... 😉
Thanks Markus. Glad you enjoyed it. I realised after I’d uploaded it on here I’d left the backing music too loud! It’s usually quieter! Thanks for letting me know👍🏻
Great video. Wanting to get into sports photography myself. How do you gain access to these events as a photographer? What’s the route to getting a pass? Beginner question I know!
Hi. Thanks for getting in touch. As in the video really, a case of starting at your local club and work your way up. It's all about building a strong portfolio to present to an agency in order to progress. Once with an agency (3-5yrs) they then apply on your behalf. Hope that helps.
Great video. Buying a 400 is a serious investment. What stage were you at when you got one? Was it clear by then that the photography would pay it off?
hi mark,
wich lens and camera where you using when you visited the top spec matches with neymar and all the other famous players,
cheers
حرف نداری مارک
Thanks 👍🏻
great video Mark... when you moved to the agency, did you hire better body and lenses or did you take the hit early on and invested? obviously the 400 is a huge investment but now paying off for you.
Hi Tommy. Thanks, yes I took the plunge and bought a second 1Dx, 400, 70-200 plus other bits of kit. I’ve only just recently finished paying for it all! You e really go to believe and it will happen👍🏻
To clarify your profile building period, what type of access were you able to get to events? Were you paying for media passes or being provided media credentials through an established name? Thanks for the video, interesting to see how others have made it work.
Hi. The first season was spent at my local Non-League team. I provided them with images for their programme in return for free access to matches. Then I joined an agency to further my portfolio. They applied to teams for accreditation on my behalf. Hope that helps
Hi Mark, I've just recently picked up my bog standard 600D to shoot some pics for my local cricket team. I was really enjoying it so I'm now looking to get into sports photography a bit more but need some better kit. I was wondering what you think a good upgrade for someone like me is who is pretty much just starting the journey? Thank you
Hi Bailey. Thanks for watching the video, appreciate that. Have you looked at the 7D mkii or the 90D? Both good bodies for sport👍🏻
@@MarkKerton Great video! Thanks I appreciate the response/advice I'll have a look at both👍
I mostly shot weddings and concerts, but never sports.... if I use a 1DX-i and a 70-200 2.8 for sports, do you recomend shooting with a 2x extender, or is it better to shoot clean lens and crop instead do you think?
Hi Mark have just been invited to sit with a pro at Inverness Caley Thistle game and am really nervous. Have only a ASP-C sensor camera with a canon 70-200 f/4, but have had some decent shots at local league level. Are the bigger leagues alot different to shoot. Cheers David
Hi there, thanks for getting in touch. Have you shot the game yet? The 70 to 200 is a good starting lens and want to keep. I would say as the leagues go up the game gets faster and you have to be slightly more alert but on the whole the action is all same. Let us know how you got on👍🏻
Hello I’m 14 and I have a passion for photography and honestly I think I’m quite good but the point is there is a middle school they have a football team and they have no photographer and I don’t know how to ask if they need a photographer
The hard part of me is what to do once I have a portfolio. I already have a decent portfolio built at my University, but now what do I do? It's crazy hard to find positions available on job sites, since every team really just needs one, and so many people apply. I know a lot of it has to do with connections and word of mouth, but that's tough too.
Sounds like your next step is to approach agencies to shoot on a commission basis. One of them will defo give you a slot I’m sure👍🏻
@@MarkKertondo you mean like news agencies? I think our terms are a little different I’m in the US
Brilliant Mark, When you invest in the 400 2.8 , and what did you use until then .
Thanks Roy. I purchased my first 400 towards the end of the Eastleigh season. It was a must to have moving forward! Before the 400 I used a 100-400 which was very good but obviously poor for low light conditions! Hope that helps Roy and thanks for getting in touch👍🏻
@@MarkKerton It does Mark thank you
Brill Roy👍🏻
Quick question about kit, with respect to resolution and crop sensor v full frame etc, what's the minimum requirements you would recommend? I have D3 and D4 which are good but a bit old now would you say?
Hi AJ. I’m still using mk1 DX’s which get me by just fine. So I’d say your D4 is still plenty good enough. Hope that helps👍🏻
Have you ever had an autofocus jam situation? Where your autofocus don't work at all... if yes how do you fix it
Evening sir just found you channel and wow what an eye opener may I ask are you using back button focus or the normal shutter half presssd also if I programmed my af-on button for panning how would you focus
Thanks Matthew. Yes, I use the shutter button for focussing. I have tried bbf but just can"t get used to it! Hope that helps and thanks for watching.
Mark Kerton morning again sir is there anyway to connect 1dx to my iPhone internet wirelessly so I can send images directly to iPhone from camera
Hi Matthew. Yes there is. You need a WFT transmitter. I cover the WFT in one of my football videos
Go to 7:14 on this video Matthew czcams.com/video/KDoo6nh-3pM/video.html
Hi Mark, great stuff. Just wondering how long it took you to build up to your current kit. Did you source any 2nd hand?
Thanks
Hi Alister. I bought both 1Dx’s and the 70-200 new early on, spread the cost obviously! The 400 was 2nd hand. Then gradually added to the kit list as time went on really. A huge investment but worth every penny. Thanks for watching 👍🏻
@@MarkKerton Hi, thanks for the reply. I have an R6 and 70-200 and am looking at either a 300 or 400. More than likely 2nd hand. I'm an athletics man so I could probably get away with a 300 as access is generally pretty good. Looking forward to the next video.
Hey Mark,
Just come across your channel, after coming across your insta, Top stuff. For an amateur like myself, whos getting paid for gigs (albeit not very much) I find your content helpful, informative and a good insight into the life of a pro sport shooter; Im not sure I could ever afford all the Canon Pro Gear e.g. 400 prime, 1dxs required for agency work but its on my list as soon as I win the lottery! :)
are you still using your 7d as a goal cam? Ive tried goal cams, however with my 7dii and Godox triggers, it slowed the transmitting camera down a tad. My Question is, is this normal? is it just best to shoot with 2 cameras with the same fps?
have a cracking week!!
Hi there. Thanks for your kind words. Glad you can take something from the vlogs.
I’m not shooting sport anymore unfortunately. All my work stopped overnight last March!!!!
I never noticed a reduction in fps with my remotes. I did try a 1dx behind the goal for a game and it was spot on. The 7dmk2 is only 7fps approx so didn’t always capture the action unfortunately. I used pocket wizards mind, so that could be the difference compared to the godox?
@@MarkKerton thats a big shame you're not on the circuit anymore, nice though you're doing some woodland and lanscape stuff.!
the 7dmk2 is 10fps, have a 6m2(6,5fps) and a mirrorless vloggy thing m50ii that for certain cant trigger with 7mk2, albeit it being same fps. this mirrorless tiny thing triggers the 7mk2 but only when you press the test button on the Godox, doesnt work when you press the shutter. Im considering getting an old 7d again, 8fps, as half decent camera it is im sure you'll know it has it its limits ISO wise.
Sorry for the waffle, and keep up the good videos!