Camera work by broadcasters - a problem?

[Luv_our_club]

I have noticed a few concerned posts on this subject, and a letter published in the Age newspaper this week. Watching the replay of the showdown, i noticed how far away the camera seemed (for a major game).

- Have you noticed the camera work is different from game to game during each round? (the long shots, the distance from the play etc)

- if yes, is this because of Ch 7/Fox economising? Or is it just an aesthetic choice? If it is the latter, why does that aesthetic change from one game to the next?

- Does it bother you?

 

[LeverPuller]

Can say that GC v Melb was horrendous.

 

[GUMBLETRON]

Have you noticed the camera work is different from game to game during each round? (the long shots, the distance from the play etc)

if yes, is this because of...

..different stadiums being different shapes and hence the cameras being mounted in different spots? Yes.

 

[Roobs321]

Different broadcasters, different stadiums, in some respects it has always been thus.

 

[Luv_our_club]

..different stadiums being different shapes and hence the cameras being mounted in different spots? Yes.

Looking for answers... so could be. Don't they have zoom though, and the reluctance to zoom is the lack of cameras? Or a preference.

 

[kranky al]

The camera work is so poor as to defy description - especially when theres a shadow over the ground.

The camera follows play into the light and blooms out - before eventually adjusting EVERY SINGLE TIME.

The guy controlling it needs to take charge of this shit - there needs to be one of the cameras optimised for shade when players are getting close and light when coming the other way

As soon as the play moves into the dark/ light - the camera changes with it.

This is dead set basic shit.

 

[kranky al]

Looking for answers... so could be. Don't they have zoom though, and the reluctance to zoom is the lack of cameras? Or a preference.

Or foxtel deliberately doing this way as its watchable in hd but a blur in sd

Thereby putting pressure on people to get fox.

I watch my games in hd via watchafl.com - sometimes the vpn wont work well enough to stream and i go back to tv and it seems like a deliberate policy

 

[Art Corvelay]

As soon as the play moves into the dark/ light - the camera changes with it.

Camera will be auto exposure and takes a second to adjust to the changing light.

 

[kranky al]

Camera will be auto exposure and takes a second to adjust to the changing light.

But thats not how you should do it - watch other sports and how they have cameras already ready for the transition

 

[Art Corvelay]

Or foxtel deliberately doing this way as its watchable in hd but a blur in sd

Thereby putting pressure on people to get fox.

Free tin foil with every new sign up.

 

[Art Corvelay]

But thats not how you should do it - watch other sports and how they have cameras already ready for the transition

How do you suggest they do it then? The camera man as he’s standing focusing on the action pulls out his light meter and focuses on not the play to get the right ISO, and then as soon as it switches from light to dark instantaneously adjusts the settings on the camera whilst maintaining focus on the action?

I’m struggling to think of other sports I’ve watched that go from light to dark so often as AFL.

 

[kranky al]

How do you suggest they do it then? The camera man as he’s standing focusing on the action pulls out his light meter and focuses on not the play to get the right ISO, and then as soon as it switches from light to dark instantaneously adjusts the settings on the camera whilst maintaining focus on the action?

I’m struggling to think of other sports I’ve watched that go from light to dark so often as AFL.

No - one camera is pointed at the light where they anticipate the play emerging

 

[kingswood71]

My main complaint is the constant switching to close up stuff...Its a nice half field view, then a kick and the camera switches to a close up marking contest. I prefer to see the wide view not the panning in and out all the time

 

[RUNVS]

I have noticed a drop in the quality of camera work the last few years. Just yesterday during the Melbourne game the camera was so close to Nathan Jones that when he went for a shot on goal we couldn't actually tell if the ball had gone through for a goal or a behind because the camera stayed focused on Jones and not the ball.

 

[kingswood71]

I have noticed a drop in the quality of camera work the last few years. Just yesterday during the Melbourne game the camera was so close to Nathan Jones that when he went for a shot on goal we couldn't actually tell if the ball had gone through for a goal or a behind because the camera stayed focused on Jones and not the ball.

Yes, exactly!
The best camera work allows you to see the peripheral stuff, not just the close ups

 

[Andrew Mc]

I have noticed a drop in the quality of camera work the last few years. Just yesterday during the Melbourne game the camera was so close to Nathan Jones that when he went for a shot on goal we couldn't actually tell if the ball had gone through for a goal or a behind because the camera stayed focused on Jones and not the ball.

More games getting more cameras covering - I guess it's just a dilution of the pool of available talent, both behind the camera and in the directors box.

 

[Billy ray]

I cant stand scg games.
Why cant they just put up some scaffolding with platform for cameras behind the ladies stand to be a bit higher?

 

[master bate]

Probably because of 6 games in 1 day but GC v Melb was all time bad. So many different angles. So many needless tight shots.

Not sure you can't do all of the live play with 1 camera from the wing showing what is ahead and behind of the play and who cares if you can't make out a tight shot. That's how you watch footy at a game and it's great.

Zoom in for replays and get the reverse angle as a player lines up for goal.

Simple!

 

[Rotayjay]

I think a bigger problem is an over-reliance on tight camera angles. It's good to see the play unfold in a big-picture sense with a wide vision.

 

[kingswood71]

Not sure you can't do all of the live play with 1 camera from the wing showing what is ahead and behind of the play and who cares if you can't make out a tight shot. That's how you watch footy at a game and it's great.
Simple!

mate, very well said

 

[Vitalogy]

No - one camera is pointed at the light where they anticipate the play emerging

You can't cut from a wide to a similar shot that's wide it's jarring for the viewer and you lose perspective.

 

[kranky al]

You can't cut from a wide to a similar shot that's wide it's jarring for the viewer and you lose perspective.

Im not getting this out of my arse - i was discussing this with a mate whos a sports cameraman - he does uk soccer and doesnt have a lot good to say about how we do it here

 

[Vitalogy]

I have noticed a few concerned posts on this subject, and a letter published in the Age newspaper this week. Watching the replay of the showdown, i noticed how far away the camera seemed (for a major game).

- Have you noticed the camera work is different from game to game during each round? (the long shots, the distance from the play etc)

- if yes, is this because of Ch 7/Fox economising? Or is it just an aesthetic choice? If it is the latter, why does that aesthetic change from one game to the next?

- Does it bother you?

It's because where cameras are positioned and stadium builds. The MCG is a lot wider than the SCG, different heights etc. It's partly the perspective through the lens, different depths of field etc

 

[kickazz]

I like it when they cut away from the actual play to show the coaches. Because that's what I really want to see.

 

[Vitalogy]

Im not getting this out of my arse - i was discussing this with a mate whos a sports cameraman

I work in post-production mate. If you could build a camera that has the exact same frame as the other camera than you could do this yes. There are 3D cameras which might be capable of doing this in the future but very ****ing expensive.