Boxing evening, please advice

[pau3]

Hi all,

next week I'm going to a boxing evening and I've got a press pass.
There will be three amateur and three professional fights.

Since it's going to be my very first attendace to such kind of event,
I would like to hear advice from people with more experience in
boxing and photography.

I will be using film cameras, with trix. I was wondering if a flash
may become useful.

Can you give me some advice?

Best regards,
Pau

[JohnL]

I have never shot any boxing myself, but I'd be wary of flash, unless it is specifically autthorized. If I was a boxer, I might be somewhat off-put at becoming the flash-ee, with possibly undesirable consequences for the flash-or. I'd suggest 1-2 cameras with fast lenses, and at least moderately fast film. See if you can find out how bright the lights are in advance.

[swoop]

They don't allow flash. If security doesn't yell at you or kick you out, the fighters corner men will definitely make a fuss about it. You can only use flash before or after the fight but never during.

Depending on the size of the event/venue you may have room to move around or not. I suggest finding a spot in a neutral corner and sticking there. If you try to move to either of the fighters corners, the corner men usually make a fuss.

And you may want to wear elbow and knee pads. I find the ones designed for volleyball work best. They're light and thin but still cushy enough to be comfortable for short periods of time.

[visiondr]

UV filters?... depending on how close you are - there will be sweat and blood squirting from the participants out into the area around the ring. It can get pretty messy.

[sinetsin]

Wow Pau!
That sounds great!
Looking forward to see some samples!
Disfruta!

[Roger Hicks]

Four by five inch Speed Graphic and either flash or Royal-X Pan at 1250 ASA.

Seriously, look at vintage boxing pics and see how well they did with 'primitive' equipment. The important bit is knowing when to press the shutter release.

Cheers,

R.

[pau3]

Thank you all for the advice. I seldom use flash myself, so I will
probably skip that part. However, my idea of using it was indeed
suggested by old vintage boxing pics, à la Weegee. I'll stick
myself with two cameras and fast lenses.

Lluís, I certainly will! ;-)

Best regards,
Pau