Equipment - Ground Level Remote Camera

In getting ready for the Fall season I decided to get another remote camera for soccer, behind the goal.  Remote cameras are low percentage shots, but when you do get something they add a lot to the usual types of photographs.  Instead of buying a setup from a store, around $90, I make my own taking inspiration from a SportsShooter article.  Total cost is around $30.

The basic parts are:

1. One lawnmower wheel, 8" diameter or larger
2. One 3/8" bolt, 3" long
3. Four 3/8" nuts
4. Two 3/8" lock rings
5. Two 3/8" washers
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Start by placing one washer and lock ring at the head of the bolt, put the bolt through the axle hole in the wheel, and then add the other lock ring, washer, and nut. Tighten this down.  
  

Next, add additional nuts to the top until you have a small amount of the bolt remaining for the ball head.  Finally, drill a 1/2" hole in the edge of the wheel.

 









The reason for the hole is that normally you could place the (Pocket Wizard) receiver on the ground, as long as you were not too far away when triggering the unit. However, I am typically on the other side of the field, so I need a greater range. This means the receiver needs to be up in the air for better reception.  
 
To do this I create a pole with:

1. Wooden dowel 40"+ long, 5/8" diameter
2. Flat black spray paint
3. Hook
4. Carabiner key chain

Start by whittling one end of the dowel down to a point. Not down to Boy-Scout-Stab-Everything sharp, but smaller than the 1/2" hole you drilled in the remote base.  Next, I paint the dowel flat black to help it blend in to the background.  Finally, screw in the hook to the top of the dowel, bending to a closed loop if needed, and attach the keychain to the loop with the "key" part. 

To use the remote setup attach the camera to the ball head and adjust as needed.  Attach the remote pre-release cable to the camera and receiver, and hang the receiver from the carabiner.  Finally, if the field is grass I put the dowel into the ground as far back from the camera as possible, but if it is turf I insert it into the hole in the base wheel, making it a self contained unit.

Camera settings are manual focus and exposure, high framerate.