DIGITAL SNAPSHOTS
How'd they shoot that?
By PETER WEINBERGER
Charlotte Observer staff photographer
Patrick Schneider tells how and why he covers a basketball game
using up to 6 cameras, mounted at various points around the
court.
Q: Where did you get the idea to
coverage basketball this way?
It comes from trying to take a different
look at shooting a sport from the same angle. Showing people
what they missed, not what they expected. When you are sitting
on the floor with 20 other photographers at a game, everyone
tends to get the same type of image. The likelihood of making
something different is very low.
Q: What type of camera, lens and
exposure did you use?
The image shot from above was made with a
Nikon D2H, 300 2.8, 1/640 f4, ISO 800. The camera was
pre-focused halfway thru the net and securely fastened so the
camera angle will not move. Other cameras were mounted in
various spots around the court in a similar fashion.
Q: What other technical things did
you do? Photoshop?
The top camera is mounted in the catwalk
200 ft above the floor. It is secured by 2 devices that attach
the camera and lens to the catwalk. Security cables are used in
case something would come loose, nothing would drop below. Each
camera is equipped with a wireless transmitter, so when I fire
the camera from the floor, it sends the image through a
wireless router directly to my laptop on the floor. This takes
4 about seconds.
Q: What was the hardest part about
taking the image?
The work in putting the remote in the
catwalk, and setting up, making sure it all works. It’s
very time consuming. Some arenas will not allow this kind of
access, or do not have places in the best spots for remote
photography.
Q: Any advice you would give?
Think outside the box. Take chances. Make
sure your pockets are empty.
