Wrestling Tournament Tips?

emocmo · #1 02-27-2002, 12:38 PM

I've stumbled into my first youth wrestling tournament in a couple of weeks. The reason I am asking in this forum is because this is not a "how do you shoot wrestling" question--but rather, what wrestling shots sell?

I've shot wrestling at the high school and collegiate level, and generally it was for the "action" shots. Can anyone who has done a wrestling tournament give me any ideas for the types of shots that sell?

It seems to me there are two schools of thought: The first is the full body shots, and the second is the tight face shots. Is one more popular than the other.

My assumption is that the usual: "Keep it tight and see their face" rules apply.

I sincerely appreciate your help on this.

Richard

Doug_Sheppard · #2 02-27-2002, 02:22 PM

Rich:

Good to talk to you several weeks ago. We decided against the Boston area because of the cost of living, and we are packing for Raleigh-Durham.

Delane is right. Wrestling out of all the sports we shoot is the hardest to sell. It might be the winner/looser concept, it might the that the parents don't care about the action shots in this area (see my post on After the Event). I try for that grimace, the pin with the ref in the background making the call, the grappling at the beginning and if possible any type of takedown.

That being said, we sold hardly any of these at our last tourney. If I were you, I would push for the podium shots. In fact, I would ask the promoter if you can be the photographer for this part of the tourney. Set the podium in front of the crowd, and shoot the winners with the crowd as a background and NO parents in your space. Make sure the parents are shooting back towards you (on the other side of the podium) and make sure you get your shots first. Given my recent experiences, for the next wrestling tourney, I won't rely heavily on the action shots, but more on the happy snaps of the podium.

Good Luck.

Doug Sheppard
PodiumFotos

[ February 27, 2002: Message edited by: podiumfotos ]

Steven Loewenthal · #3 02-27-2002, 05:25 PM

Timely thread for me. I've shot several different sports but only recently added wrestling. First time out, got some great action shots, but as the other posters have mentioned, wondered what would and would not sell. Couldn't agree more about victor vs. loser theory - basically, your prospective audience is cut in half.

Now onto what raised the hair on the back of my neck. To deliberately sabotage another person's photograph, particularly that of a parent, to scam a few bucks is unethical, immoral and, without a doubt, unconscionable. If you have to compete using these type of tactics against the myriad of point-and-shoot cameras in the hands of amateurs, albeit, proud parents (by the way, they have more of right to be there than anyone else ñ at least they understand ìsportsmanshipî), then I suggest you re-examine why you got into this profession ñ one that is tarnished by such activity.

Steven Loewenthal.

Doug_Sheppard · #4 02-27-2002, 08:28 PM

I owe Steve and others of this thread my sincerest appologies. It wasn't not my intention to sound as if I am out to scam anyone. I was unprofessional.

I have had trouble numerous times with parents not respecting the fact that I/my organization are there for the purpose to provide professional photos. After instances like "will you please move" as I or my helpers are posing the winners. Or, when due to bad weather, we had to rush under a tent and finish the photos, and I had the other photographer hold a light with a regular slave. What a mistake. Guess what happened as the parents took their pictures as I was shooting mine? I had to stop the shoot and look to the people who hired us (the marketing guy from a major candy co.) for assistance to get the parents to stop. Make sure you get your shot first or without any hinderence.

Podium shots or happy snaps are going to be the money maker, even more so than the action. Moves are great, a face that shows the effort is great, but a medal presentation will always sell more. Those sales are even better if you get the top three winning teams, because it becomes a repeat sale for each member of that team.

Good Luck.

Doug Sheppard
PodiumFotos

Delane_B_Rouse · #5 02-27-2002, 09:07 PM

I'm with Doug here....I just shot a 40 team (8/9 year olds) soccer tournament with 10-14 kids per team. For 32 of the 40 team at least 5 parents from each team rushed onto the practice field that I had set up to shoot MY team pictures...stood behind me (a couple even moved in front of me) and STOLE MY FREAKIN SHOT!!!!!!! THAT BURNS ME UP!!!!! Even when I explain to them that the kids WILL LOOK AT THEM...NOT ME, they still stand right behind me. One mom told me..."that's why I bought this N90s...for sports". Now my buying audience is cut in half...and if I complain much...I look like the bad guy. So honestly...I hope that they shoot at the same time I do...I hop their picture is underexposed, overexposed, blurred, out of focus, flat out bad B-A-D.

Here's my tip..."if" you can get the parents to wait until you are finished this will work....shoot 2 frames, posed regular, then tell the kids that that they can "do something crazy". The kids stick their fingers up their noses, give rabbit ears, pull hair, stick out their tongues, junp on each other....Mom and Dad DO NOT want that shot...hopefully the other team is ready and u can hustle that team off the field without the parents getting the same good shot you just created.

At our next event, we are gonna set up to shoot teams, but we'll use backgrounds...and "hoperfully" not let the parents on our side of the background. That way they can't get the same shot. I'm not trying to scam anyone either, just make my living...remember...I'm not there to assist the parents by setting up a great shot for them...if they don't buy, I don't eat (and I like to eat). I'm there to make good pictures that people want to buy. That means creating a captive audience...and my audience is diminished if I allow parents to get shots that I set up.

(Doug...my e-mail is down, I can read them, but not reply...so I'll get back to you tomorrow once the server is reset)

[ February 27, 2002: Message edited by: Delane B. Rouse ]

Delane_B_Rouse · #6 02-28-2002, 01:16 AM

I shoot a LOT of wrestling and the problem with SELLING the photos is that one guys is usually the obvious looser. I mean...he's on the bottom, getting pinned or giving up a point. So Mom/Dad are NOT gonna buy that picture...no matter how compelling it is. The problem with this is that you can usually see the face of the guy getting pinned better than the one getting the point.

Finally...Mom only wants pictures that she can see her kids face, so as u said above, focus on that...faces...faces....FACES....

Make Mom happy and you'll sell more.

miles_holland · #7 02-28-2002, 01:18 AM

richard, you have it already figured out. close and show their face. standing upright during a throw. the guy in the power position is the one who will buy the pic. the guy on his back won't want that pic. try to get a pic when each wrestler is in control or has an advantage. i use 80 200 and turn the camera upright. mwh