Flames photographer for a day

[VWEvo]

I got the very unique opportunity to photograph the Flames from between the benches at a recent flames game. I got to join Gerry Thomas and watch him do his day to day job. Absolutely the most amazing experience of my life. I only had two lenses with me, 300-500 mm telephoto lens, and 50 mm lens. I'm by no means a professional photographer (i'm sure you'll figure that out by looking at these photos), but I thought I would share a few that turned out well. Took over 400 photos, here's just a small sampling.
http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e217/volinder/Flames%20photos/_DSC5281.jpg
http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e217/volinder/Flames%20photos/_DSC5279.jpg
http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e217/volinder/Flames%20photos/_DSC5266.jpg

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e217/volinder/Flames%20photos/DSC_5253.jpg
http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e217/volinder/Flames%20photos/DSC_5227.jpg
http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e217/volinder/Flames%20photos/DSC_5222.jpg
http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e217/volinder/Flames%20photos/DSC_5199.jpg
http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e217/volinder/Flames%20photos/DSC_5190.jpg
http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e217/volinder/Flames%20photos/DSC_5176.jpg
http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e217/volinder/Flames%20photos/DSC_5173.jpg
http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e217/volinder/Flames%20photos/DSC_5152.jpg
http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e217/volinder/Flames%20photos/DSC_5097.jpg
http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e217/volinder/Flames%20photos/DSC_5086.jpg
http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e217/volinder/Flames%20photos/DSC_5061.jpg
http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e217/volinder/Flames%20photos/DSC_5043.jpg
http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e217/volinder/Flames%20photos/DSC_4996.jpg

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e217/volinder/Flames%20photos/DSC_4969.jpg

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e217/volinder/Flames%20photos/DSC_4957.jpg

[88CRX]

Selling any prints?

ie: this one:

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e217/volinder/Flames%20photos/DSC_4996.jpg

[VWEvo]

Originally posted by 88CRX
Selling any prints?

ie: this one:

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e217/volinder/Flames%20photos/DSC_4996.jpg

Lol, yup, price is a pint of beer... maybe two!!!

I have pretty high resolution versions of that photo, more than happy to have a copy.

[VWEvo]

Originally posted by 88CRX
Selling any prints?

ie: this one:



Actually,
Tell me if you like this one better. He was actually looking at my camera during this shot.

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e217/volinder/Flames%20photos/DSC_4997.jpg

[sxtasy]

great shots man, sounds like it would have been a blast. My only complaint is not enough dof on that shot with the fire on ice crew;)

[S13_Ryan]

im interested in a shot of the one 88CRX requested aswell.

PM me with info and what kind of beer you like:thumbsup:

[Kavy]

I have to agree a few are really good.

That iggy shot could really pop in B&W done dirty.

Good Job.

[Qtec]

great shots!:thumbsup:

[Wrinkly]

Very impressive! Great job! :thumbsup:

[quazimoto]

You better ask the flames for permission prior to selling any of the images for anything. I had to go through quite a lot of red tape to be able to take photos at one game on my birthday and then it boils down to stipulations that you can't use the photos for anything other than personal usage.

It's one of these things where they don't allow anybody to take their product and sell it without them getting a huge share. They let me take photos with the idea I could only use them for myself which to this day has me a little sad.

The main idea is you can't sell anything with the flaming C on it without written permission from the flames organization. I'm not sure if they made you sign the same forms I had to or not but I would check into it since it's not worth getting in crap over.


Nice photos by the way. For the record the fact the pay the photographers the game is just sick because the view you get is out of this world.

[Nekura]

I really like the Bourqe and Conroy one. and the Iginla. Would like to have an opportunity like that.

[VWEvo]

You are correct, I do not have permission to sell these photos, but nor do I intend to sell them. I'm just joking around about the beer, that's optional ;)
That being said, before I give any of the photos away, I'll make sure with my contact at the Flames I'm not breaking any rules. Thanks for the advice.

Originally posted by quazimoto
You better ask the flames for permission prior to selling any of the images for anything. I had to go through quite a lot of red tape to be able to take photos at one game on my birthday and then it boils down to stipulations that you can't use the photos for anything other than personal usage.

It's one of these things where they don't allow anybody to take their product and sell it without them getting a huge share. They let me take photos with the idea I could only use them for myself which to this day has me a little sad.

The main idea is you can't sell anything with the flaming C on it without written permission from the flames organization. I'm not sure if they made you sign the same forms I had to or not but I would check into it since it's not worth getting in crap over.


Nice photos by the way. For the record the fact the pay the photographers the game is just sick because the view you get is out of this world.

[quazimoto]

NP just dont want anybody getting in crap over a simple misunderstanding. The issue they have is using the flaming C in anything that isn't for your own personal usage so anything with personal gain is an apparently no no.

I had a 24"x36" picture of kipper's mask made that I'm expecitng delivery off in the next two weeks that will be hung right beside my LCD TV on the wall lol.

[msommers]

Sitting here green with envy

[sl888]

Originally posted by msommers
Sitting here green with envy
Same. How do you get hooked up with something like this? I would love to shoot a Flames game

[C_Dave45]

Originally posted by msommers
Sitting here green with envy



Originally posted by sl888

Same. How do you get hooked up with something like this? I would love to shoot a Flames game

x3!!! Wow..what an experience!!! I bet, even aside from the photography, watching the game from there was a total blast eh? You can really appreciate the speed of those guys from there. Not to mention being able to hear all the banter between players and refs.

So give us the scoop..how'd you get this? Also, what gear did you use? Canon? Which bodies? Which lenses exactly. all "L" series?

[JTI]

Wow lucky you!! I have always wanted to shoot with Gerry Thomas. I am pretty envious. Great shots too. Wow!

[scat19]

Nice pics V

Any pics of the girls? :poosie:

[flipstah]

Originally posted by VWEvo


Actually,
Tell me if you like this one better. He was actually looking at my camera during this shot.

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e217/volinder/Flames%20photos/DSC_4997.jpg

I want this one. :thumbsup:

Great shots, BTW. You're a very lucky individual!

[spikerS]

Originally posted by VWEvo


Actually,
Tell me if you like this one better. He was actually looking at my camera during this shot.

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e217/volinder/Flames%20photos/DSC_4997.jpg

I would as well.

I would love to give you a beer for "your time and effort" in getting me the "free" picture!

[SilverGS]

Originally posted by VWEvo


Actually,
Tell me if you like this one better. He was actually looking at my camera during this shot.

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e217/volinder/Flames%20photos/DSC_4997.jpg

Ditto on this one if you are allowed :)

[Jlude]

+100

I'd love to have high res copies of those photos to use as desktop wallpapers.

Great shots! I bet it was a great experience.

[VWEvo]

Hey guys,

I still haven't get permission, will do that in the next couple of days. Whats the best way of getting you guys the high res photos??

[flipstah]

If you want to give it for free, flickr is your bff.


Originally posted by VWEvo
Hey guys,

I still haven't get permission, will do that in the next couple of days. Whats the best way of getting you guys the high res photos??

[Go4Long]

I'll make the prints :poosie:

[88jbody]

cosco does really good prints 12x18 for about $3 a piece

[quazimoto]

The word good is very subjective. I would rather use the words, "at least they are better than wal-mart."

[Go4Long]

I send people to costco all the time. I call those jobs the ones I don't want to do.

[msommers]

What's wrong with Costco for smaller sizes?

[Go4Long]

nothing...hence why I send people to them when I don't want to do the job...I had a guy contact me that wanted me to print 300 4 X 6's...I told him to go to costco as their price would end up better than mine since I would be charging him for my time as well as the printing, and trimming 4 X 6's off a 44" roll is a pain in the ass. Heck, even printing them is a pain in the ass...the labs have the set up for that kind of stuff for sure. just run the files in to their program and it knows what to do.

[quazimoto]

Small prints I would agree 100% they are a huge pain. Nothing I hate more than 4x6 prints. Their quality is better than the run of the mill places that use crappy paper and low commercial grade inks. The quality is no where near what some of the high volume printing vendors provide though.

Lets just say I wouldn't really do any of the larger prints that go for framing at costco. That has judge joe brown written all over it.

[88jbody]

Originally posted by quazimoto
Small prints I would agree 100% they are a huge pain. Nothing I hate more than 4x6 prints. Their quality is better than the run of the mill places that use crappy paper and low commercial grade inks. The quality is no where near what some of the high volume printing vendors provide though.

Lets just say I wouldn't really do any of the larger prints that go for framing at costco. That has judge joe brown written all over it.
who would you recommend locally? or who do you use?

[EvolizePhoto]

I have used Riley's print and yielded great results for larger poster sized prints.

Costco does a great job at 8x12's and if you have a big enough file size you could also go for the 12x18.

However like Quazi mentioned in a PM, I guess I really do not know the lack of quality with costco until I compare them to quality toner and papers.

[Go4Long]

Originally posted by EvolizePhoto
and papers.

I actually totally took that part of the process for granted up until recently. I just figured luster was good, and that was all that mattered. Then I did some sample stuff on Hahnemuhle papers and canvases and was blown away by the difference. Granted, at over 5 times the price it had damn well better look better, but it really is that much better...

[Oz-]

Great pictures, thanks for sharing the experience. I would be interested in that Kipper shot as well for a print.

[wes_v]

Nice shots

[quazimoto]

You need to see some stuff printed on Kodak Endura Metallic Crystal archival paper. It really puts traditional fine art paper to shame especially for things such as cars, animals, landscapes, etc where it makes the colors pop all while having an absurd amount of contrast.

Ilford makes some similar stuff that you should check out as I'm sure you'd love it and so would those doing prints through you. The ilford stuff is inkjet friendly but is a royal pain to source out.

[Go4Long]

Red river also just started making a metallic inkjet paper, but no rolls yet.

[VWEvo]

Request sent to the Flames to give away high res copies of my photo, just awaiting a response. As soon as they give me the go ahead, I'll email or post the photos up.