Sports Photography

Sports Photography

Equipment• A reliable DSLR camera would be best, although some point-and-shoot models do have good action settings.• A reliable telephoto lens.• Extra memory cards.• Extra batteries.• Notebook and pens.• Knowledge to adjust the manual settings…

On site• Talk to someone in charge about where you can and can’t be.• Introduce yourself to coaching staff to let them know you’re here to document the game.• Scout out locations and take a few test shots.• Take warm-up shots of the players, etc.

Camera settingsDaytime, outside, sunny = 200 ISO, 1/2000, f4

Daytime, outside, overcast = 400 ISO, 1/1600, f4

Nighttime, outside, stadium lights = 1600 ISO, 1/320, f2.8

Inside, no external lights = 1600 ISO, 1/400, f2.8

Inside, external speed lights = 400 ISO, 1/250, f4

Game time

1. Always follow the ball.

2. Shoot entire series of action.

3. Anticipate what’s going to happen.

4. Take many, many photos.

Vantage point• Think about your location.

• “Am I in a place that will allow me to catch the best possible images of the action happening now?”

• Try getting on the same level as the players as well as above and below.

• Bring a ladder if necessary.

• CHANGE locations throughout the game.

Vantage point• Think about your location.

• “Am I in a place that will allow me to catch the best possible images of the action happening now?”

• Try getting on the same level as the players as well as above and below.

• Bring a ladder if necessary.

• CHANGE locations throughout the game.

Background

Horizon

Horizon

General tips and tricks• Go to more than one event for each sport, if possible.• You can’t take pictures from the stands!• Follow the professional photographers around- stand

where they stand.• Be on the lookout for leading lines.• Look for both action AND reaction.• Keep in mind shapes of the photos needed( vertical,

horizontal, square, cob).• If possible (especially in football), take a buddy to watch

your back so players don’t run over you; you also need someone to take notes.

• Do not use unflattering or embarrassing photos.• Use the sports settings for action shots.

Other tips1. Try shooting landscape for action far away

and portrait for close-up action.2. Shoot as low as possible for a more

aggressive look and to get under hats and helmets.

3. After the action, take shots of the jersey numbers for ID later.

4. Get outside your comfort zone.5. Practice, practice, practice. (And take notes!)

Hints from Russell Tracy at blog.russeltracyphoto.com.

What to photograph

• Locker rooms (pep talks, etc.)• Team events ( pasta parties, etc.) • Side lines• Coaches• Cheerleaders• Water boy/ball boy• Referee

Soccer

• Concentrate on the goal where the home team will score.

• Look for areas on the field that action seems to happen most. Focus and let the action come to you.

• Look for throw-ins, goalie making a save, coach giving instructions, bench reactions.

Volleyball

• It is easy to get in the way of play, so talk to the referee before the match to see where you are allowed to stand.

• Low angles make jumps seem higher (from the sidelines).

• High angles over the net let us see faces and action (in the bleachers or balcony).

• Shoot from the net, facing the team, so the net doesn’t get in the way.

• Other shots: pancake/ digs, spike blocks, reaction shots to plays.

Football• Assign two photographers- visitors’ side and

home--NOT in the stands!!• When your team is about to score, have one

photographer shoot reaction shots of the bench, while the other gets the on-field action.

• Write down jersey numbers as you go so that captions will be accurate later.

• Other shots: warm-ups, team entering the field, coach talking to players, reactions at the end of the game.

Cross Country

• Get a map of the course before the races begin.

• Scout out a few locations that will show the background of the course.

• Shoot stretches, starting line, take-off.• Get runners together on the course, finish line,

reactions (emotions, exhaustion, exhilaration) after the race.

Baseball & Softball• Ask permission to sit in the dugout for team

reactions.• Get on the field to get photos of warm-ups.• Get the easy shots first of the game: batters

batting and taking practice swings, pitchers pitching, outs at first.

• Then get harder shots: Sides, outs at other bases, coaches (including base coaches), umpire calls, fan reactions.

Marching Band

• Look for lines and patterns, keeping one player or set of players in focus.

• Get stands shots for overviews, but most should come from the field. Go during practices as well.

• Focus on flags, dancers, etc. as well as soloists.

• Try interesting shots: reflections in bells of instruments, etc.

Basketball

• Look for heavy traffic areas, and position yourself on the sidelines nearby.

• Be aware of the crowd in the background as part of the story.

• Try different angles if available (low angles make jumps look higher; from above, if possible).

Wrestling

• Ask ahead of time which matches will be close.• Capture struggling faces and facial expressions.• Take MANY more photos than needed, as there

are a lot of awkward positions and you don’t want to embarrass the athletes.

• Tight shots usually work better. Be prepared to crop and edit photos of wrestling more than any other sport.

• Position next to the mat (at mat level) with the coaches in the background and wait for faces to show.

Golf• Ask permission to follow players onto the course.• Bring the telephoto so you don’t interfere with

play.• Shoot practice shots and putts.• Boring shots: tee shots (initial shots at the hole)

and fairway shots.• Better shots: sand shots, green in the background,

sizing up the putt.• Best shots: reaction to a putt missing, making, or

on the way.

Tennis• Ask permission to be on the court during a

match.• Shoot warm-ups.• Sit/ lie on the court to use the sky as a

background.• Look for shots coming off the racket.

Track• Bring two photographers: one for field events,

one for running events.• For running events, stand as close to the track as

safely possible, and try different angles. (Take through a hurdle back toward the runners jumping an earlier one, etc).

• For field events, look for expressions when the greatest force is exerted.

• Shoot: hurdlers jumping, sprinters crossing the finish line, vaulters taking off.

Swimming

• Be prepared to get wet…• Get shots of divers off the starting blocks. ( great

repetition and leading lines)• During laps, use low angles to capture faces.• Don’t forget finishes and reactions both in pool

and out.• Get divers mid-twist, entering the water ( get

down low), and expressions mid-air. • Be aware of using unflattering photos.

Scally’s tips for sports photos• Eliminate the “D’oh!” moment by checking that

you have everything you need.• Learn the basics of exposure.• Learn depth of field; zero in on your subject by

opening up the aperture.• Take time to focus despite the moving subject.• Know your sport and shoot, shoot, shoot.• Use your arms and legs.• Know your limitations.• Compose the shot.• Edit harshly. Analyze, learn, delete.

From Deb Scally at 1107photography.wordpress.com found on the digital-photography-school.com