2012.02.03
How photographer Kyle Green used a remote camera to capture a high-flying hoops image
Kyle Green’s photo of Duke player Ryan Kelly driving to the basket against Virginia Tech nearly jumped off the front of today’s sports section. I asked Kyle to share the back story on how he was able to mount and use a remote camera to the picture.
“I have had this shot in my head for a couple of years and thought that since Duke was coming to town, this would be a good time to give it a try. I started setting up the shot about a week in advance,” he wrote in an email.
First, Kyle emailed Bill Dyer, associate director of athletic communications at Virginia Tech. Dyer was helpful and suggested that Kyle consult with Dave Knachel, the photography coordinator for Tech athletics.
“Dave was a big help as well, and I sent him a link to what the set-up would look like. Dave checked with Bill as to what the ACC regulations are for cameras behind the backboard and agreed that this type of setup was permissible. Next, we had to check with Kent Sheets, Cassell Coliseum manager, who would be coordinating with the officials who would have the final say. Kent said that everything looked ok, and that I was approved to place the camera. I arrived about 3 hours before game time.
“Cassell has a 10 foot ladder that I borrowed to place the camera. It is held in place with two variable friction magic arms (kind of like an articulated arm with a huge dial to tighten it into place). The magic arms have superclamps (an industrial strength photojournalism related clamp) on the ends that connect the arms to a support bracket behind the basket. In addition to the two magic arms/clamps, a safety cable is attached to the camera body as a third backup in case of failure,” Kyle said.
The whole set-up took Kyle about an hour and a half. About five minutes before the game started Sheets brought the game officials over and had them approve the set-up.
Kyle explained that a radio system called Pocket Wizards is attached to the camera behind the backboard and to the camera he was using to shoot game action from down on the floor. The remote system allowed him to fire the shutter on the camera behind the backboard at the same time he pushed the shutter on the camera in his hands.
The results, as you can see, were spectacular.
Photographer Kyle Green checks the exposure and focus of his remote camera.
