POSITION ON THE FIELD

Look around the fields, you will see a lot of photographers “camp” always at the same place, and that was also my situation. You will also see a lot of photographers stay next to each other: don’t do that! There is no perfect spot to photograph ultimate; it varies according to the game, the division, the level and even some external conditions! Putting yourself near another photographer puts you in direct competition while the field is large and you can get another angle elsewhere! Furthermore, you will never have the same settings or equipment as your neighbor, and just risk having the same picture… but maybe a lesser version.

To determine your position, you need to identify :

At what distance are my picture good?

There is not need to photograph something that happens on the other side of the field if you have a 100mm lens. Take time to think about this, it will help you to analyse the game.

What is the direction of the wind?

An essential parameter of the game since it will determine the type of pictures you can expect.

GAME IS UPWIND: short play, mark is often flick.

In this case, if you are looking for duel pictures and layout bids stay on the break side a little deeper than mid-field. Stay on the open side for aerial duels with discs flying up.

GAME IS DOWNWIND: Long game, mark is often flick.

Teams will generally try to break or huck it. If the team plays the long game, position yourself near the corner of the endzone to capture some diving bids. If the team is more patient, stay on the break side for aerial duels.

SIDE WINDS: different kind of plays, often forced flick.

In this situation the game will be pressed on a line, you have two option: either go for aggressiveness, nervousness and small cuts with contact, or shoot from far to get the duels on unsure passes. I now have a weakness for the first, while I used to prefer the duels initially.

NO WIND: party on the field, everybody knows how to throw.

It is up to you to position yourself according to the situation on the field, move with the lines to the prefered throwing areas of either the more nervous or the more confident handlers: they are the ones who will force their throws and provoke the duels or risk the turnovers.

THE LEVEL OF PLAY

How to act in accordance to the level of play?

Ultimate is not played in the same way at the second regional level as it is at the highest national level. Still, at any level, all the field will be used. Either due to a lack of tactical or technical discipline, or because a tight defense forces the use of all the available space.

The higher the level you will photograph, the more space you will need, but the less you will be surprised by the game. At a lower level stay alert since the action can happen anywhere. At a higher level, try to anticipate the game and read the strategies to get a head start on the action.

THE DIVISION OF PLAY

How to act in accordance with the division you are photographing?

MEN’S

Boys like depth in their cuts and throws, a lot of them will look for strong and fast moves. If the weather conditions are good, don’t stay close to the line, you put yourself at risk and risk missing some good shots.

MIXED

In this division, everyone agrees that the girls will make the difference. Keep an eye on the boys trying to poach and get a slightly errant pass. Position yourself near mid-field to capture the duels. There are also a lot of hucks in this division.

WOMEN’S

Women tend to use the width of the field more, and use the depth of the field less. Often you will find more action on the sides of the field, position yourself near the sideline and near the endzone for a lot of the duels.

JUNIORS

Juniors have no inhibitions, so keep your distance. They are sure of their physical capacities and won’t hesitate to send their teammates into a duel. The game will move quickly downfield, so it is convenient to stay near the endzones.

MASTERS

Masters like to keep the disc, but do not like points that last a long time. At first stay focused on the handlers, they will often be the first to show signs of fatigue and send the huck. So if the point drags on, move closer to the endzone.