The Sports Photo Guy

It’s nice to be on both ends of the court.  Radio remotes can do the trick.

D3+70-200, 1/640@f2.8 / D5000+11-16, 1/400@f5.6

Remote camera

Radio remotes can do wonderful things for your photography, whether you use them to trigger lights or another camera.  One of my favorite tools in basketball is the post cam, situated just under the basket and triggered by radio remote.  While I usually use a remote on the offensive end, they can be useful in capturing defensive plays, as in this shot of VMI’s Keith Gabriel making one of his 41 blocks on the season.  (You have to know your players: KG’s blocks are one of the main reasons I use a defensive remote!)

While I use Pocket Wizards for triggering remote lights, I’ve found less expensive remotes are suitable for triggering cameras on the court.  Currently I use Phottix Strato remotes, a pair of which (transmitter+receiver) can be had for under $100.

Mounting the remote is the trickiest part of the equation, and must be done with the utmost care to prevent damage to your equipment or, more importantly, injury to players or spectators.  Don’t skimp in this department.

The gold standard for remote mounting is the Manfrotto 143A Magic Arm ($100), with Manfrotto Super Clamp ($36). Be sure to use the variable-friction Magic Arm (small round tightening knob rather than locking lever).  Secure your rig with two or more Avenger 39″ Safety Cables ($18 each).  Some photographers like to use a second Magic Arm with a Super Clamp on each end to further steady the rig, but I have not found this to be necessary.

Mount the transmitter on your hand held camera and the receiver on your remote, and fire away!