skate board comp next week

I am attending a skate documentary/comp next week and I'm hoping to get some good pics for possible publication. I have submitted shots before but still have not been published. Any thoughts on what equip. I should bring, etc. Also, I planned on using 800 speed film, as well as 400. Should I use my tripod? I sometimes feel it limits me to certain angles, especially when shooting skateboarders. Also, I am still fairly new to manual settings. Would it be ok to set my cannon rebel in automatic or should I go with TV,AV,or sports setting? I also have a larger flash. Should I attatch, use the automatic one, or not use one atall? The comp is indoors at an x-games skate park. I'm sure there will be sufficient lighting atleast for the documentary. any suggestions are welcome! :D

If you're not familiar with your flash and using your camera in manual, I'd suggest leaving it in the bag unless you really need it. 800 ISO film is fine, if you can get away with 400, do so as you'll be able to get less grain in the images, especially as the light begins to fall. With submissions to magazines, most require either slides or digital format. You'd have to have your negs scanned in at a rather high resolution. Most labs can do these for you, cost is average 2 bucks an image. Shooting sports you may want to use the Tv mode, so you can select a faster shutter speed to catch all the aciton. An automatic sports mode may work as well. Of course you'll obtain the most control using manual, however if you're not yet comfortable with it, remain with what you know for something like this.

With submissions to magazines, most require either slides or digital format

I'm not sure which this magazine requires. I have submitted to other magazines and all they required was a print and the negative along with it. Can I get slide film at 800speed? thanks for the advise! :)

I am attending a skate documentary/comp next week and I'm hoping to get some good pics for possible publication. I have submitted shots before but still have not been published. Any thoughts on what equip. I should bring, etc. Also, I planned on using 800 speed film, as well as 400. Should I use my tripod? I sometimes feel it limits me to certain angles, especially when shooting skateboarders. Also, I am still fairly new to manual settings. Would it be ok to set my cannon rebel in automatic or should I go with TV,AV,or sports setting? I also have a larger flash. Should I attatch, use the automatic one, or not use one atall? The comp is indoors at an x-games skate park. I'm sure there will be sufficient lighting atleast for the documentary. any suggestions are welcome! :D

Are you a member of the documentary production crew? If not then you probably won't be allowed into the "sweet spots" to shoot from so bring a 210mm or longer lens to shoot from the sidelines.
400 is fast enough to use without a tripod because you will want to pan with the skater to evoke speed. You can get tack sharp images when you freeze the peak of action (that split second when movement stops and changes direction). Definitely use your large flash and set your camera on shutter priority for the fastest X-synch it does.

Are you a member of the documentary production crew?
No, I'm not. I figured it was going to be difficult. :( Thanks for the info though. It all really helps! I'm hoping to go very early to try and get as close as possible..or as my husband and I joke..I'll just act important..unfortunatly acting does'nt usually get you very far :LOL: Thanks again!