Sports photography is both challenging and enriching. It requires practice, the proper equipment, and a lucky sprint. As I started out, there was not much information available on related to sports photography, so I resorted to learning from the professionals working around me, adapting techniques from other photography disciplines, including bird photography, and improvising on them as I went along.
While all sport photographers have their own unique style and “secret sauce,” a definitive guide on how to get started is not really there. As such for those interested in embarking on this discipline, here are some simple tips that might help you get started.
During warm up at a softball game in Singapore, a softball is passed between players from a Malaysian Team. This image was created using the technique of focus trapping, a practice I adopted from bird photography.
1. Understand What You are Going to Shoot
Studying game rules and watching sports videos in advance is always helpful. Doing so allows you to view the images you can create and gives you the opportunity to plan how to get the shot.
Synchronized swimmers in training during National Championships in Singapore. This image was taken from the location’s third floor, behind the stand of the spectator. Beforehand knowing the sport’s scoring elements helped me to prepare in advance where I could position myself to catch the formations.
2. Understand Autofocus and Subject Tracking
Autofocus and subject tracking is the bread and butter of a sports photographer. Autofocus ensures a topic is sharp while monitoring ensures you concentrate on the right subject. For sport, it is recommended that autofocus be set to continue to ensure that the emphasis is always on the topic you are monitoring.
An artistic gymnast on balance for the Kuala Lumpur SEA Games. The distance between the athlete and camera varies constantly. Continuous autofocus helps ensure the athlete is always in sight, irrespective of their distance from the camera.
Modern cameras have proprietary tracking options for subjects (3D tracking, face detection, etc.) that may be useful for sport. I consider 3D tracking to be useful in tracking fast-moving subjects such as race cars, cyclists, gymnasts, etc., while face detection was useful in fighting sports. I typically place my focus point in the center of the frame for all other cases, and monitor the subject manually.A boxer from Uzbekia punches a Jordanian boxer at Indonesia’s Asian Games. Face recognition–while possibly not often used for sporting purposes–can be effectively used to catch the action in combat sports.
3. Use the Right Shutter Speed
Use the correct shutter speed to freeze action is important. If you’ve got it too slow you’ll end up in a blur of motion. I typically set my shutter speed to at least 1/400 seconds to freeze the human movement. In sports where a person was in free fall, this could go as high as 1/1600.
A platform diver moments before entering the water at National Championships in Singapore. This shot had been taken at a shutter speed of 1/1600 seconds to freeze the action.
I should put the shutter speed up to at least 1/2000 seconds to catch even quicker action-e.g. water droplets or balls in play.
Chinese synchronized swimmers taking action at Indonesia’s Asian Games. I usually employ shutter speeds of at least 1/2000 seconds to freeze water droplets in aquatic sports.
Conversely, you can use slow shutter speeds to demonstrate movement. In such situations, while retaining detail, shutter speed as low as one second can be used to show trails.
A Chinese fencer moves ahead during Indonesia’s Asian Games. To highlight the movement, this image was created using a slow shutter speed of 1 second.
4. Invest in a Quick Zoom Lens
Aside from the fact that the distance between the action and the photographer is constantly changing, venue lighting can also be very poor at times. As such, I always recommend using a fast zoom lens for flexibility and the ability to shoot in low light while maintaining decent shutter speed.
During the Asian Games in Indonesia, a male artistic gymnast spins were throwing the air. A zoom lens is useful as it helps a photographer frame the image without the need for additional cropping through the viewfinder. You can also check out the best camera lens for sports photography.
I would always recommend the 70-200 mm f2.8 as the starting point. This lens is lightweight, available across all major lens manufacturers and is relatively cheap. In low light conditions, an aperture of 2.8 is perfect, and if you need the extra scope, you can just put on a 1.4x teleconverter or just aim with a crop sensor!
A Chinese rider in Indonesia during a velodrome event at the Asian Games. Cycling by velodrome is extremely fast and often kept under poor indoor lighting. Without a fast lens, it wouldn’t have been possible to freeze the image of a cyclist approaching.
5. Record the Feelings and Experiences.
Celebration images, frustration, and experiences are key moments in the sport that often tell a story.
When covering assignments make it a point of turning up for warm ups and remaining till after the ceremony of victory. That way you can capture people’s expressions before, during, and after the event.
A cornerman talks to a MMA fighter who is injured, as a cutman attends him during a fight. Half-time breaks are good windows for you to capture images of the athletes ‘ interactions with those around them.
Importantly don’t just focus on the players. Often it’s the players, family, and fans who are the emotional outlets.
A parent of an athlete embraces her son’s Games mascot after securing Singapore’s first gold at Indonesia’s Asian Games. Elements such as flags, friends, and families can often be used for storytelling.
6. Practice, Practice, Practice
Practice makes a man perfect, so photographer. Contact your local club or group to see if you can join media games to cover the action, and take time to network, and learn from other more seasoned on-site photographers. Check out the best camera lens reviews and guides by visiting lensmatrics.com.
