Ref Butts and Slam Dunks: What It's Like Photographing an NBA Game

Summary

Distance is not a problem. Photographers at NBA games are so close that referees, coaches, and players can block their shots. “Especially at NBA games, all photographers must face the infamous ‘ref butt’ issue,” says photojournalist Chris Day of The Commercial Appeal newspaper. “It differs from game to game depending on the standing habits of the referee, but I certainly have had moments when what I hoped would be a good photo of a Ja Morant dunk was instead a photo of a referee’s dress pants.” Photographer Chris Day at the Memphis Grizzlies-Boston Celtics game March 31 at FedExForum | Photo by Petre Thomas Day joined the Gannett-owned Commercial Appeal newspaper in 2023, covering the Memphis Grizzlies of the Western Conference of the NBA. As the NBA playoffs approach (starting April 19 after the play-in tournament April 18), Day shares insights about game-day equipment, challenges, and rapport with other photographers. Credentials Day completed four news photography internships from 2019-2022 at the Gainesville Sun, Las Vegas Review-Journal, South Florida Sun Sentinel, and Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He earned history and journalism degrees from the University of Florida (2020) and a master’s degree from Ohio University’s School of Visual Communication (2022). At the 2021 Atlanta Photojournalism Seminar, Day’s work was named Best Student Portfolio. He won second place in 2021 as Student Photographer of the Year in competition sponsored by the Ohio News Photographers Association. Line of Sight at NBA Games Line of sight issues cited by Day (“ref butt”) are longstanding. In 2006, Phoenix-based Max Simbron wrote a 10-page guide on “Shooting in the NBA” based on his experience photographing the Phoenix Suns. “… equipment managers, coaches, towel boys, team doctors, and other team people will sometimes put equipment out, and can get in your way,” Simbron advised. “Referees also roam up and down the baseline. Never expect them to completely be out of your way, you’re j...