Why Remote?
One of the things Jared Wickerham and I wanted to do this year was implement as many remote cameras as possible. While the team did have 7 photographers, sometimes you can only achieve a unique angle by using a remote camera.
Whenever I decide to place a remote, it's not a replacement for a photographer - Remote Cameras are an incredible tool to be utilized where you can't normally have a photographer stand.
With the support of Canon, we were able to have three remote cameras, two of which were powered and cabled, meaning every image they take are instantly transmitted to the editing workroom, and can be left for the entire day.
A special thanks to Canon USA and Tony Kurdzuk for supplying the Canon bodies and lenses, for which made this entire operation possible. A few years ago if someone told you they autofocused a remote on f/1.2, you would've thought they were insane. By utilizing the fastest RF lenses and Bodies available, we were able to truly showcase the autofocus possibilities that flagship cameras now deliver.
The Chair Umpire Remote
Canon EOS R1 | RF85mm - 1/8000, f/1.2 ISO 100 | (Photo by Luke Schlaifer/2025 BNP Paribas Open)
Chair Umpire Remote History
For the 2024 tournament, we rigged this remote and it yielded all of 5 usable photos. Lucky enough, one of which was ultimately the photo Madie and the tournament decided was the image of Carlos Alcaraz that ran for his champion graphic.
Setup
This year, we wanted to increase our remote hits and versatility.
This remote setup was the only one not cabled, meaning photographers had to swap the card at the end of every match - We weren't able to pull any cables to the chair this year.
This Remote consisted of a Canon R1 paired with a RF85mm F1.2 L USM.
In order to remain as small as possible, it was mounted on a Platypod Max with the Pocket Wizard taped underneath the lens barrel. (Plus III, LR Mode, E-release Firmware)
Brooke & Andrew Setting the Chair Umpire Remote (Photo by Kathryn Riley)
The Broadcast Remote
Canon EOS R1 | RF135mm - 1/2000, f/1.8 ISO 800 | (Photo by Jared Wickerham/2025 BNP Paribas Open)
Setup
The Broadcast remote was by far the most used and had the most hits out of all of the remotes that we installed.
We shared the space in front of the three on court broadcast cameras and installed it right in front of one.
This remote was powered (USB-C) and had ethernet connectivity. By utilizing the 2.5G NIC in the Canon R1 to instantly send every image it captures straight to the editors, we could get images out as they happened for Social and Editorial teams.
This Remote consisted of a Canon R1 paired with a RF135mm F1.8 L IS USM
The Bunker Remote
Canon EOS R3 | RF35mm - 1/8000, f/1.4 ISO 100 | (Photo by Luke Schlaifer/2025 BNP Paribas Open)
Setup
While this remote didn't have as many keepers as we would've liked, this is partially due to it just being a very specific shot that we had in mind.
This remote was powered (USB-C) and had ethernet connectivity as well.
Remote consisted of a Canon R3 paired with a RF35mm F1.4 L VCM
Global Camera Settings
Canon R1
Overall Settings: Aperture Priority, Minimum shutter speed locked at 1/2000
Autofocus: Preview AF [ON]
Whole Area Tracking Servo AF: [ON]
Servo AF: M - Tracking Sens -2, Accel./Decel. Tracking 0
AF Area: [Wide]
Action Priority: [OFF]
Subject to Detect: [People]
Eye Detection: [Auto]
The Team
