Photographers using flash at pro/am MMA events...

So I'm at the first ever MMA event in PA with like 15 amateur fights and 2 pro fights. There are maybe a couple MMA photographers there and the rest are people from local newspapers and just guys who shoot for fun.  The guys who shot for the newspapers had probably $10k+ worth of equipment each, and still had no idea how what they were doing. Shooting with ridiculously long lenses while we were up above the cage on a balcony with terrible lighting...and using flash, straight on, while the fights were happening. I'm using a 50mm F/1.8, ISO 1000, and I need to keep my shutter speed at 320-400 just to stay at an acceptable level with lighting/blur. But I knew that I couldn't use flash...some of my shots were ruined because of the lighting from other flash from the photographers up near me.



One of the promoters had a quasi-DSLR with a zoom lens, and a pop-up flash and he was also using flash during the fights. Even the one dude who I talked to before the fights who had asked about using flash (in which I happily explained how these events work and how you shouldn't use flash during the fights because it distracts and blinds the fighters) was aiming his speedlight to bounce off the ceiling.



The only other guy not using a flash? The real MMA photographer who was sitting cageside. I know that most of you guys on here know what you're doing, but if you're new and shooting at a new MMA event, be sure to keep your flash off and remind others to do the same. I'm surprised nobody from the PSAC said anything because in NJ, anyone who used flash got yelled at, haha.



Ok, I'm done ranting! :)


Flash is only regulated inside the Commission Barrier. Unfortunately outside of that anything goes.




This happened a few weeks ago at an event I attended, held on an Indian Casino, two different guys, two different occasions. I notice that it usually tends to be people affiliated with a fighter competing during that particular time.

Funny story....same promotion, different event. I notice some flashes during a bout. I look over to see where it's coming from (the light source was way larger than a normal point-n-shoot camera). It's a guy using his speedlight, direct flash. It took a few seconds, but I soon realize that the person taking the pics & using the flash had fought in an earlier bout on the same card.

Enfektious - This happened a few weeks ago at an event I attended, held on an Indian Casino, two different guys, two different occasions. I notice that it usually tends to be people affiliated with a fighter competing during that particular time.



Funny story....same promotion, different event. I notice some flashes during a bout. I look over to see where it's coming from (the light source was way larger than a normal point-n-shoot camera). It's a guy using his speedlight, direct flash. It took a few seconds, but I soon realize that the person taking the pics & using the flash had fought in an earlier bout on the same card.
Haha! Maybe he was trying to blind another fighter in particular.



Regarding the commission barrier: That makes sense, but a couple of the guys who were using flash looked like pro sports photographers with lenses that I was envious of. Lens envy. :(

 

Ya, Lens envy, I hear ya. (looking to fix that in a week)



I've seen a few "corners" take pictures and videos of their fighters.



I shoots with 2 different commissions and both are very strict about flash, to the point I even tape down my pop up because of accidental pop up....



Funny thing is, I could throw on my speedlight and use it at will just by staning on the far side of the barrier.



I find the biggest problems are at amateur shows, where in my city, commissions are not needed.

Guys using flash, roaming from side to side and standing up at ring side.

  

Yeah Seth, the lighting at this show was not good. I was above the lighting (chandelier with those little cheapy bulbs) and too far to use any of it to my advantage.

I actually was able to sign on to this promotion to be their exclusive photographer (other photographers can still request press passes) so I will now always be cageside.

Congrats Backfistmedia!



Since you're exclusive, I'd ask the promoter to either run requests by you, or at the very least only allow journalists and no other professional.



Also try and contact the Commission early if you can and see if they will allow you to shoot standing on the apron from a neutral corner (If they don't allow it already), this way you wont have to shoot through it, and it's better to ask in advance so they can discuss/vote on it.

 So when is your 1st show as Event Photographer?