Airsoft Game Day Photography Do's and Don'ts ?

[Resistor170]

We have run mini games at NPFs Paintfest for the last few years

Last year and the year before NPF added Airfest alongside, and we had a number of airsofters come down and play 

We run it as paintball, but with our Battle Royale format you go in and find the weapons we have left you.  Could be a paintball gun, it may or may not be loaded, it could be tied to a barrel or a body, but it could also be a tennis ball gun, rubber frying pan, catapault etc

You just need to see if you can survive to be the last one standing, and get a medallion. the ultimate survivor of the weekend got a goody bag from our sponsor and an appearance on stage

Bets were also taken as to whether I would remain standing on stage for the last two years or topple off due to the sponsored free bar.

We have run 3 Battle Royales in the last 4 years, currently I have banned the team from proposing a 4th to avoid the format going stale

All custom BR prizes and trophies have been provided from my friend at Kews Emporium

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Brilliant. I have always wanted to play a game like this. 

 

[Arwen]

Hi vis shows that you are a non player, but taking it off every now and then makes you more inconspicuous.

(Also consider a ripped up hi vis vest to make yourself armbands)

When you are not wearing full hi vis then you are bringing less attention to who you are pointing your camera at.

I didn't have a hi-viz for about 50min. The amount of players who thought my camera was a gun and started shooting at me was simply amusing ? Not only does it mean I get hit a lot more, but it is frustrating for players if they think I am not take my hits... 

I'm sticking with wearing hi-viz. 

Out of curiosity what are you shooting on?

A Lumix GX7. Using either my prime 25mm lens or 45-200mm lens. No perspex or anything covering them. I don't see the point in spending good money for glass to then shoot through perspex. I'm "protecting" the camera by trying to stay out of direct fire, and keeping the lens hoods on. (I do also have insurance, but I'd rather not have to use it) 

Generally outside shots I leave on auto with "colour and brightness" adjustment. These turn out pretty much spot on in most cases.very bright sunshine being the most common annoyance.Inside shots I usually end up turning to shutter priority. 

, if your going to be out on the field taking photos, your going to get shot. your going to want to be in the action

Totally expect to get shot a few times. But being "in the action" often means I am then in front of someone's "perfect shot". Which understandably is frustrating.

 

[Samurai]

My tips:

Don't compose people in the middle of the pic. Use the thirds at least.

Do many photos of the same thing and keep the best one when post processing.

Do some sharpening, contrast adjusting, etc as needed in post processing, it can really make the images pop.

Please don't add a huge watermark across the photo unless you want to make a living of it. Add logos in the corners plz if you must.

One can't really photograph actions so weirdly crouched masked people in the distance gets old quick. Do close ups, players love to see themselves.

 

[Druid799]

I'd hate the below style. I do like when I see myself after the game day in a video or picture but wouldn't want people bugging me while playing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQe7IbfjyKo

Oooh he’d most definitely piss me off and get a very strong “no comment now f**k off !” from me ! ?

 

[AndyDynamic]

And before you say it, yes I searched, yes I found topics 4 years old. I've read them (and maybe got some tips), but would rather a more up to date point of view.

The past few months I've not really be fit enough to play airsoft properly. I've taken photos at a few games days at my local site before, so rather than miss the day completely , I'm thinking of taking my camera shooting instead of my aegs ! 

I find I prefer using a long lens and stay on the outskirts of play. Not only does this mean I am less likely to get hit, but it gives me a wide range of people to photograph, and I can more easily move around without getting in someones way/cross fire. 

Pictures are here if you fancy a look - 

VSA Game Day 31/03/19      

VSA Game Day 06/01/19

Players, what annoying things do photographers do when you are playing? As player myself I think I do my best to not give away peoples positions or get in the road of your shot, but I wonder if there is anything else I am possibly doing that can be classed as annoying. 

Photographers, any tips? I've now got a polarizing lens, so hopefully a lot less over exposure shots when the sun is out 

I shoot with a 24-105mm lens on a Canon 5D - does everything you need.

Be careful of using a polarised filter, you will lose a couple of stops of exposure. I would more recommend a UV filter which is clear and still protects your lens to a degree (although it would shatter if a 0.4 hit it close range, at which point I would call it a day through sheer shock!  )

• Don't be afraid to get alongside shooters to catch them in profile and look to frame them in doorways
  
• Zoom in closer, use a wider aperture to get a greater depth of field, again gives more focus to the player
  
• Sometimes a different colour balance can be what a shot needs. Urban shots benefit from lower saturation to give a dirty/hard edged look - forest shots can be more colourful, think "Predator" - greens and warm
  
• Get down low, use foreground elements to give depth and drama to shots
  
• Don't be scared of using a hi ISO, you need a fast shutter speed as players will not stand still for long, and especially not in a firefight and if you're indoors. My lens also has stabilisation which is a godsend - lets you use a good couple of f-stops lower while maintaining a stable shot, great for indoors
  

A load of my shots from Urban Assault a few months back : https://photos.app.goo.gl/8jTvLpsBGi7y8WbG8

Glad I got to the site before its done

Hope that helps!

 

[Huxley]

Lens wise a good 70-200 f2.8 and a small prime would be ideal I'd imagine.

Keep the sun behind you, never shoot into it, it'll wash out your shots.

If you must photo someone who is being sneaky, try and use live view, but keep the camera at such an angle that it doesn't look like anyone's there, as said you'll give them away.

Leave the camera on aperture priority, you won't have time to go full manual, hell it's rare when I do.

Keep your focus on single point, with so many things around it'll have a hard time figuring out what you really want to photo.

Lens protection I do know sigma have a ceramic filter that is nigh on indestructible but it'll cost you.

When you photo people's faces, go soft on processing, little to no sharpening if anything you want less, purple don't want to see every blemish on their face.

Learn to use the spot removal tool, and how to come things out in PS.

Just enjoy yourself, it's not as complicated as people make out, just use a bit of common sense.

Don't worry about finding a style, it'll do your head in figuring this out, let it find you.

I've been at it for years, and only now starting to figure out what my style is.

 

[Arwen]

A load of my shots from Urban Assault a few months back : https://photos.app.goo.gl/8jTvLpsBGi7y8WbG8

Glad I got to the site before its done

Thanks for the tips, those photos have given me a good few ideas for next game day. Thanks very much ? 

When you photo people's faces, go soft on processing, little to no sharpening if anything you want less, purple don't want to see every blemish on their face.

The most processing I do on 95% of my photos is simply adjusting the levels/curves. I enjoy taking photos, but processing them all to a high degree is something I'm not going to spend lots of time doing unless I start getting paid for it! (which is totally not my aim, photography is a hobby for me.) 

There are a select few photos that I may process differently. Usually because they are screaming out for it. 

However, I can be cheeky here and suggest to add a handful of photos on a suitable thread on airsoft-forums.uk

For the non facebook people who fancy a wee look, until I find something better - 

https://photos.app.goo.gl/zsss6EJvoPQzbr3b9

 

[Tommikka]

Keep the sun behind you, never shoot into it, it'll wash out your shots.

Never say never

The worst thing that can happen with digital photography is that you have a bad photo to be deleted

Failing to press the shutter button means you never have the photo in the first place 

Rules in photography are there to be broken, and particularly with game photography you arent capturing a specific picture, but the memories and vanity of the players

Backlight can make a photo, it can give an arty effect, you work around it, it can give a technically bad picture that is still liked by the subject

 

[EDcase]

Or just shoot video

 

[Arwen]

Or just shoot video

Ahhhahahha I think processing photos is time consuming enough ?

 

[Resistor170]

For the non facebook people who fancy a wee look, until I find something better - 

https://photos.app.goo.gl/zsss6EJvoPQzbr3b9

Thanks, much appreciated. You have taken some great shots there. I like seeing all the different kit and action shots are great of course so I'm all for the idea if someone wants to take photos.

I imagine it'll be impossible not to get in someone's way at some point, hopefully they won't throw a tantrum. Football referees get in the way fairly regularly, inevitable when you have people all around you running around and you only can only look at one place at a time.

I haven't read every post here but I know you mentioned hi vis. Maybe you could make something like this for realism...View attachment 44300

 

[Arwen]

Lol I had not even thought about a press/reporter loadout ?

 

[EDcase]

Stick a mic in their face and ask how the attack is going  :lol:

 

[Musica]

Lol I had not even thought about a press/reporter loadout ?

Thanks, much appreciated. You have taken some great shots there. I like seeing all the different kit and action shots are great of course so I'm all for the idea if someone wants to take photos.

I imagine it'll be impossible not to get in someone's way at some point, hopefully they won't throw a tantrum. Football referees get in the way fairly regularly, inevitable when you have people all around you running around and you only can only look at one place at a time.

I haven't read every post here but I know you mentioned hi vis. Maybe you could make something like this for realism...View attachment 44300

Stick a mic in their face and ask how the attack is going  :lol:

thats literally what the airsoft amigos do like the video i posted earlier. 

 

[EDcase]

thats literally what the airsoft amigos do like the video i posted earlier. 

I missed that.

Wow, I'd be annoyed

 

[Giraffe]

I'm shooting re-enactment at an old airbase next month while avoiding paying customers. I'll be using my old DSLR with a 70-200mm 2.8 lens and a thrifty 1.7 50mm if I need it. I'll also have on me at least one 35mm camera for period style photos but also for access to my fast wide lenses.

I'll just be keeping out of the way, letting them have their fun. Same applies to game days... Stay out of the way and try not to get shot.

Over/under exposure and noise are just things... they don't necessarily ruin a photo.

 

[Resistor170]

thats literally what the airsoft amigos do like the video i posted earlier. 

And that's what you get when you don't read all the posts. My fault. I did just mean the gear for identification (avoid being shot or "sorry I'm not a Marshall) rather than engaging in anyway whatsoever with the players... During playtime 

Stick a mic in their face and ask how the attack is going  :lol:

Starship Troopers style

 

[Huxley]

Never say never

The worst thing that can happen with digital photography is that you have a bad photo to be deleted

Failing to press the shutter button means you never have the photo in the first place 

Rules in photography are there to be broken, and particularly with game photography you arent capturing a specific picture, but the memories and vanity of the players

Backlight can make a photo, it can give an arty effect, you work around it, it can give a technically bad picture that is still liked by the subject

You're talking about the token silhouette shot, trouble is you need a decent light source behind them and they need to set up for it.

All good after game, but during you'd be very lucky to pull it off.

You would be hard pushed to go arty, best option would be to lower your aperture, and aim to get that blurry background, least for individuals or any group.

Least then it'll play in your favour for lighting.

Having everything in focus detracts from the individual you're shooting.

 

[clumpyedge]

Thanks, much appreciated. You have taken some great shots there. I like seeing all the different kit and action shots are great of course so I'm all for the idea if someone wants to take photos.

I imagine it'll be impossible not to get in someone's way at some point, hopefully they won't throw a tantrum. Football referees get in the way fairly regularly, inevitable when you have people all around you running around and you only can only look at one place at a time.

I haven't read every post here but I know you mentioned hi vis. Maybe you could make something like this for realism...View attachment 44300

A guy used to show up at games at longmoor dressed similar! worked really well from what he said!

 

[WackyIraqi]

And before you say it, yes I searched, yes I found topics 4 years old. I've read them (and maybe got some tips), but would rather a more up to date point of view.

The past few months I've not really be fit enough to play airsoft properly. I've taken photos at a few games days at my local site before, so rather than miss the day completely , I'm thinking of taking my camera shooting instead of my aegs ! 

I find I prefer using a long lens and stay on the outskirts of play. Not only does this mean I am less likely to get hit, but it gives me a wide range of people to photograph, and I can more easily move around without getting in someones way/cross fire. 

Pictures are here if you fancy a look - 

VSA Game Day 31/03/19      

VSA Game Day 06/01/19

Players, what annoying things do photographers do when you are playing? As player myself I think I do my best to not give away peoples positions or get in the road of your shot, but I wonder if there is anything else I am possibly doing that can be classed as annoying. 

Photographers, any tips? I've now got a polarizing lens, so hopefully a lot less over exposure shots when the sun is out 

So I am a professional photographer and have been now for over ten years. The first thing I would say is a circular polariser does not help with exposure. You might be referring to a variable neutral density filter.

I know for a fact that some consent might be necessary before hand when shooting people who are otherwise unexpecting  due to GDPR so your site must inform (not consent) other players that an activity of that sort is actually being performed. 

From the pictures I have seen I would say the first thing to work on is some framing rules and techniques. I know it might be hard on the field to frame properly but in editing it should be achievable.

i hope this helps

of you need anything else photography wise I am always happy to help. 

Never say never

The worst thing that can happen with digital photography is that you have a bad photo to be deleted

Failing to press the shutter button means you never have the photo in the first place 

Rules in photography are there to be broken, and particularly with game photography you arent capturing a specific picture, but the memories and vanity of the players

Backlight can make a photo, it can give an arty effect, you work around it, it can give a technically bad picture that is still liked by the subject

Not to get technical here but most photographers shoot into the sun not the other way around. Albeit using a fill flash to illuminate the subject against the background. The most unflattering look is if the sun is on your subjects eyes making them squint and creating shadows on their faces that are undesirable. If you do not have a flash you can shoot at a 45 degree angle where the sun is behind the subject. If you have a lens hood on this creates a flattering look without the use of flash.