How to take sport photos
10 Sports Photography tips for beginners – DigitalRev
Capturing the action of a thrilling sports event, whether it is football, rugby league, soccer, tennis and everything in between, is a wonderful feeling for all involved. But just how can we get those shots we see in the magazines and newspapers?
I will be giving you my top 10 tips on sports photography for beginners, hopefully improving your sports photos dramatically!
What you need and some pre-tips:
You will need a digital SLR camera, or a camera that allows you to set your own shutter speed. If you aren’t using either of these then chances are you won’t be able to capture very good sports photos.
When you first arrive at an event, particularly children’s sports, it’s important to remember that you need to seek permission to take photos. Once you get the a-ok we are ready to shoot!
1. Have a lens or zoom range that is AT LEAST 200mm.
A focal length greater than 200mm is obviously a lot better as it will allow you to get close to the action and without being able to zoom in, you won’t be able to isolate any of your subjects. Two common beginners lenses are the Nikkor AF-S DX 18-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR or the Canon EF 100-300mm f/4.5-5.6 USM.
2. Do NOT use full automatic mode.
This is a common mistake made by amateur photographers. They will usually set their camera in full automatic mode or a pre-mode labelled “sports” or “action”. While these may work OK on occasions, to really take to the next level you need to use a semi-manual mode.
3. Use a fast shutter speed.
In sports photography, you want to ensure that the shutter speed on your camera is fast enough to capture the quick moving bodies of the athletes. A shutter speed of at least 1/500th of a second is required to freeze movement. Try not to go below 1/500th of a second.
4. Use Aperture Priority mode.
The modes on a typical DSLR are Automatic, Program Automatic, Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority and Manual. Displayed by the letter A on a Nikon camera and AV on a Canon, the aperture is our f/stop number, which determines how much light is taken into the camera’s sensor.
If you aren’t using a digital SLR camera, you don’t need to worry about setting an aperture, but rather a shutter speed, which we will get to shortly. When we set the camera’s aperture in aperture priority mode we are allowing the camera to determine the shutter speed. On a bright sunny day, this is usually the best setting to use. Many professionals for sports photography use aperture priority mode. What we are looking at doing in this mode is setting a very large aperture, which is a small f-stop number, such as f/2.8 or f/4. This will ensure that the most possible light is allowed in, which in turn tells the camera that a fast shutter speed is needed for the correct exposure. When there is more light in the camera it will allow for a faster shutter speed, thus helping to freeze the action.
5. Watch your ISO.
Shutter speed, as you can tell, is very important. To determine the correct exposure we use 3 components, which are aperture, shutter speed and ISO.
When shooting in a semi-manual modes such as aperture priority or shutter priority we need to set the ISO ourselves considering the location, time and conditions of the event you are photographing. For a bright sunny daytime soccer match for example, a low ISO of 400 will be perfect as there is plenty of light available for the camera to use. However if it is a dull overcast day, there is not as much light and we need to be able to tell the camera this by setting our ISO. On a darker day you will need to increase your ISO, usually to around the 800-1200 mark.
6. Use Shutter Priority Mode if Aperture Priority isn’t available.
This setting is best used for non-SLR photographers who only have a camera that enables shutter speed settings. As many people reading this won’t own an SLR, it is important to remember that you can still capture some great shots. Most cameras including point-and-shoots will enable the users to set a shutter speed. Instead of telling the camera how much light to let in, as we did with aperture priority, using shutter priority mode enables us to tell the camera directly what speed we would like the shutter to be.
The camera will then decide on what aperture – or f/stop number – to use. As mentioned earlier, at least 1/500th of a second is needed. You will need to take test shots when setting your shutter speed manually, in case you set it too high and are not letting enough light into the camera.
7. Use a fast auto-focus and burst mode.
In order for the camera to keep up with the fast movements we want to set it to continually focus on our subject or subjects rather than lock on to one spot. On top of this, we must also set our camera to take multiple images, usually referred to as “frames per second” or “burst”. Locate both of these on your camera and ensure that they are switched ON when shooting sports. If you have the option to set how many frames per second you would like your camera to take, always set it to the maximum whether it be 3, 4, 5 or more photos a second. This increases our chances of capturing that money shot.
8. Position yourself correctly and know your sport.
The best thing you can do is to position yourself with the sun behind your back. This ensures that a lot of light is hitting your subject out on the field of play, which reverts back to letting as much light in as possible and freezing the action with those fast shutter speeds. It is also helpful if you know a lot about the sport you are taking photos of as anticipating where the ball or the action may be is going to help you get the best shots possible. Follow the action with your camera, ensuring that you are zoomed in close enough to have the majority of the frame be the player themselves.
9. Take lots and lots of photos.
Whether it be a soccer player kicking the ball or a tennis player serving, once you have your subject in the frame you can half-hold the shutter button to focus and then hold down to fire away and capture as many photos per second as you can, thanks to the previous burst modes we have set. In this day and age with digital photography we are fortunate to be able to see our results immediately.
There is absolutely no harm in finishing a sporting event with 2000 pictures on your camera!
10. Shoot from a low angle, such as your knees and use a monopod.
By shooting from your knees you are capturing much more of a dramatic angle as well as letting in more of a clear background rather than other athletes and grass. The lower perspective gives the photo excellent depth and it’s a technique that you will see all pro photographers doing. Also look to purchase a monopod and use it, even if your lens and camera are not heavy. It is very beneficial in helping you keep your camera steady and balanced while shooting from different angles, particularly your knees.
I hope that with these tips you can capture some awesome pictures. We would love to see your results.
20 Sports Photography Tips for Beginners
Doing sports photography of your children, friends, or teammates is a great way to capture action-packed memories while having fun at the event.
With a camera, you can be in the middle of the excitement at a sporting event rather than sitting on the sidelines (figuratively, of course – you should stay off the field). This article includes several sports photography tips to improve the quality of your photos and help you take better action pictures at games and events.
Table of Contents
1. Learn the rules of the game
It is important to understand the rules of the sport you are planning to photograph. The better you know the game, the better your pictures will be. Check out online resources that teach the rules of the sport, the best shooting positions, types of images to look for, and equipment to use.
NIKON D4S @ 420mm, ISO 200, 1/1600, f/5.62. Learn to use your camera
If you are new to photography, then you should spend some time getting to know your camera. Shooting in full Auto leaves you with little control over the quality of your images. Take some time to practice with other camera modes, especially aperture-priority and manual.
3. Use a fast shutter speed
If you want to freeze action, then your camera’s shutter speed should be between 1/500s and 1/2000s. The faster your subject is moving, the faster your shutter speed should be. For example, you can get away with a relatively slow shutter speed for swimming, but not for baseball.
NIKON D810 @ 200mm, ISO 160, 1/2000, f/3.24. Plan your shooting positions
In general, you want to be in a position that puts your subject facing you. For example, during a track meet you should shoot towards a curve in the course to see the runners head-on.
NIKON D750 @ 200mm, ISO 200, 1/2000, f/3.55. Use a telephoto zoom lens
An entry level telephoto zoom lens costs around $200 these days. Something like a 55-200mm f/4-5.6 will give you a ton of flexibility with your shots while staying inside a reasonable budget. If you want to upgrade, check out a 70-200mm f/2.8.
NIKON D4S @ 105mm, ISO 5000, 1/1000, f/2.
86. Learn about exposure
Understanding how shutter speed, aperture, and ISO affect your images is crucial to taking your photography beyond snapshots. For sports photography, you will usually have a fast shutter speed, a large aperture, and a variable ISO depending on the lighting.
NIKON D4S @ 600mm, ISO 800, 1/2000, f/5.67. Respect the officials, coaches, athletes, and staff at all times
Your presence at the event is a privilege. If someone tells you to do something, do it. If you have a disagreement, leave it until after the event for a discussion. Do not be one of those obnoxious photographers that gives everyone else a bad name.
NIKON D750 @ 200mm, ISO 3200, 1/1000, f/3.28. Pay attention to what is going on around you
For your own safety, it is best to keep your head on a swivel while at the event. Checking your pictures (chimping) or looking at your phone is a good way to get hit by a ball or for a player to crash into you. Leave that stuff until the event is over.
9. Do NOT use on-camera flash
Your camera’s built in flash, and even a flash unit attached to the hot shoe, will be ineffective at illuminating your subjects. Additionally, flash is distracting to the athletes and spectators.
NIKON D4S @ 420mm, ISO 400, 1/2500, f/5.010. Use a wide-angle lens
Just because most sports photos are taken using telephoto lenses does not mean they all have to be this way. Use a wide-angle lens to put an interesting spin on your images, and make your viewers feel like they are right there on the court.
NIKON D750 @ 24mm, ISO 6400, 1/800, f/2.811. Analyze your images after the event
When I photograph an event, I take about 1000 pictures. Out of those, about 50 or fewer get sent to the event organizer, and only about 5 get added to my portfolio. The point is, save a few of your best shots and throw out the rest. Try to find a pattern of success and failure to understand what you need to work on and what is already working.
12. Focus, face, action, equipment
Experienced sports photographers often cite this, or some variation, as the formula to a great sports photograph. Let’s review each piece of the formula:
- Focus: Your image is in sharp focus, not blurry.
- Face: You can see the athlete’s facial expression, especially their eyes.
- Action: An act of athleticism or an emotional event is taking place.
- Equipment: The athlete is holding a piece of equipment, especially the ball.
13. Tell a story
Sports photos can be grouped into two buckets: sportraits (a single athlete participating in the sport) and stories (a group of athletes doing something noteworthy). Look for emotionally charged moments, like a team celebrating their victory or two runners neck-and-neck as they approach the finish line.
14. Keep your back to the sun
You want your subjects to be illuminated by the sun as they approach you. In photography, light is everything. If the light is in an unfavorable position, like behind the subject, then you will be challenged to achieve proper exposure.
NIKON D4S @ 600mm, ISO 1400, 1/2000, f/5.615. Use continuous autofocus
Continuous autofocus keeps the subject in focus as their distance from the camera changes. All modern DSLRs and mirrorless cameras have this ability. See more here on autofocus modes.
NIKON D4S @ 280mm, ISO 500, 1/1250, f/4.516. Anticipate the action
You must be proactive, not reactive. If you are reacting to action happening on the field, then you have already missed the shot. Learn the rhythm of the sport and look for signs of impending action. For example, baseball batters’ muscles will contract as they prepare to swing at a pitch.
NIKON D4S @ 600mm, ISO 800, 1/2000, f/5.
617. Know when to upgrade your gear
If you have mastered the basics of sports photography, then you may want to invest in a faster camera body or a longer lens to take your images to the next level. You will know it is time to upgrade when you become frustrated by your camera’s limitations and not your own ability to get the shot.
NIKON D4S @ 300mm, ISO 4000, 1/1000, f/2.818. Do some post-processing
A bit of cropping and a few lighting adjustments can do wonders to your images. I do not recommend “Photoshopping” your images to perfection, but do take a few minutes to touch up your best shots for a good presentation.
NIKON D4S @ 420mm, ISO 1000, 1/1000, f/5.619. Look for action off the field
Fans, coaches, mascots, and food vendors make interesting subjects that compliment your run-of-the-mill sports photos. Make your audience feel immersed in the event by capturing the little details that are too often ignored by photographers.
NIKON D810 @ 24mm, ISO 5000, 1/1000, f/2.
820. Keep practicing
The best way to improve is to practice. Keep challenging yourself to be better every time you pick up your camera.
NIKON D4S @ 300mm, ISO 2000, 1/1000, f/2.8Closing Words
Photographing sports is both exciting and challenging. Sometimes it can be downright frustrating, but it’s always worthwhile in the end. As you gain more experience your skills will improve. When you get stuck or need inspiration, you can look to your fellow photographers on the field or on the internet for advice. The most important thing is to have fun and capture moments that matter to you.
10 rules of sports photography for beginners | Articles | Photo, video, optics
Sports photography is a hobby or a profession for the most notorious fans. Capturing the movement, dynamics and highlights of a sporting event, whether it's a football or hockey match, rugby, running or tennis, is not as easy as it might seem at first. If you've ever paid attention to football stadium photographers - their equipment can be both envious and surprising - huge lenses that require their own tripod, many accessories and continuous tracking of every movement.
But before advancing to the premier league of photographers, you need to learn and the best way is small matches and events where you can practice shooting.
We've rounded up the top 10 tips and tricks to help any photographer take their first step into sports photography, and maybe someone will be interested enough to make a career out of it. Well, let's get started!
What do you need?
In order to film sports events, of course, you need a camera. A DSLR is, of course, good, but modern mirrorless cameras are sometimes faster in continuous shooting. This, of course, comes from not having to constantly raise the mirror. Therefore, the fps value of mirrorless cameras is always higher. The main need, however, is the ability to manually set the shutter speed. Because you will need to shoot fast and get crisp, sharp shots.
When you arrive at the competition site, don't forget to ask if you can film. It's best to always stock up on resolution, and then move on to filming.
Lens must have a focal length of at least 200mm
The focal length of your lens is critical. Since you can't shoot directly in the middle of the action, right on the field, you'll need a telephoto lens. Yes, yes, that is why professional photographers have such huge lenses around the perimeter of stadiums. In this case, the more, the better. But the optimal length is exactly 200mm. You can zoom in enough, isolate the subject from the environment and, of course, if necessary, shoot anything - from a portrait to a group composition.
Best options for Nikon cameras are Nikon 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED AF-S VR II DX or Nikon 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR AF-S Nikkor.
For Canon cameras, the Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM or the cheaper option Canon EF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM will do.
Forget about the auto mode
More or less professional photographers are not usually reminded of this, but it's always worth noting that in photography the automatic mode rarely comes to the rescue, and for good reason we are offered a lot of manual settings.
To understand how and what works, the first thing to do is to read the instructions for the camera. Then you will be able to deal with each indicator separately, and will not be afraid of the concepts of ISO, aperture (or aperture), white balance, etc. at all. So forget about automatic modes, even if they are named Sports or Action. We need manual mode.
Use a fast shutter speed
This is a mandatory rule that you should not forget at all. You're shooting fast paced action, so it makes perfect sense that we need a fast shutter speed to get sharpness and avoid shadows and blurry shots. Minimum 1/500 sec. will be enough to fix a moving object, if you set the shutter speed longer, all the associated risks will just appear.
Use aperture priority
First, let's look at the classic shooting modes that the average DSLR or mirrorless offers us. In addition to automatic and manual, there are modes such as shutter priority (Shutter Priority), and aperture priority (Aperture Priority).
Aperture is a value referred to as A or AV, measured in f/, or steps, which means how much light passes through the aperture directly to the matrix. If you set the settings to aperture priority, the camera will automatically set the shutter speed. This is the ideal mode for shooting on a sunny day and is used by many professional sports photographers. But what exactly needs to be done in order to properly set the aperture? We need to set a high value, that is, the figure should be vice versa, lower. For example, f/2.8 or f/4. So the maximum light will hit the matrix, and for the correct exposure, the camera will independently set a short shutter speed.
Don't forget ISO
Understandably, shutter speed and aperture are important, but the third important exposure value is ISO or ISO. When we shoot in semi-automatic modes, whether it's aperture or shutter priority, we have to set the ISO manually. To do this, we take into account the place and weather conditions, and even time.
For example, ISO 400 is sufficient in daytime solar time, but if the sky is overcast, ISO should be set within 800-1200. You can learn more about this value, of course, from the instructions.
If aperture priority mode is not available, select shutter priority mode
If you are shooting not with a DSLR, but with a camera that allows you to operate only with shutter speed settings, you will have to work with this mode. Even travel cameras tend to do this, although modern cameras tend to be more capable. Let's take a look at a few details though.
Instead of telling the camera how much light to let in, we will immediately indicate what shutter speed to set - 1/500 second will be enough. But don't forget to take a few test shots to see if the value is set correctly, given the environment.
Use fast autofocus and burst mode
In order for the camera to track the fast movements of athletes, it is best to focus continuously on the subject or subjects rather than focusing on a single point.
In addition, be sure to set the burst mode. How many frames per second you can shoot - will show the Burst value measured in fps (literally frame per second). The higher the fps value, the better. So if you want to start out as a hobbyist but plan to continue into sports photography, the best choice is a mirrorless camera. Mirrorless cameras, as we have already noted, allow you to shoot a large number of frames per second and DSLRs are far behind them in this regard.
Choose a good vantage point
The best vantage point is usually where the sun is behind you. Thus, the shooting area will be well lit. Of course, it doesn't hurt to have a good understanding of the sport you're shooting for. This way you can predict both the action and the game, so you will know exactly where to point the lens so as not to miss an important shot. Everyone sees what is happening in the general frame of the field anyway, and your task is to get closer to the players and take those shots that cannot be seen from the stands.
Shoot as many pictures as you can
This rule is practically golden. You will of course need a large memory card and a good camera battery, but the trick is to shoot first and then choose. The very essence of the competition, whether it be a football tournament or a tennis match, lies in the dynamics and speed. So, it is these qualities that the photographer will have to adopt. The results can be viewed later, just like choosing the best shots. Shooting in RAW format, you can correct some of them in post-processing, the main thing is to have time to capture the most spectacular moments.
That's why it's not uncommon for a sports photographer to go home with over 2000 raw shots, and publish at most 50 of them.
Shoot from a low angle (knee height) and use a tripod
It gives the shot more drama, creates an additional mood, in addition, you can not only shoot a player against the grass, you can shoot a podium, sky or spotlights, which also allows you to get interesting angles.
This technique is often used by professionals, and this is exactly what you need to learn from them right away.
A tripod is needed to stabilize and balance the camera when shooting from different angles and angles, especially from low altitudes. Therefore, make sure that the minimum height of the tripod is comfortable.
The Cullmann Concept One 628M OT38 tripod is convenient because its minimum working height is only 27 cm, the maximum is 189 cm. The combination of price and quality leaves no doubt that it is ideal for shooting sports events.
The Fujifilm X-T20 is a great sports camera with all the settings available and an impressive 14fps, making it the perfect companion for sports events. In addition, the camera is equipped with long focus, shoots in RAW format and 4K video shooting capabilities.
How to shoot sports?: nikonofficial — LiveJournal
It is known that in order to learn how not to miss the decisive moments of sports, experience and knowledge of some subtleties are needed.
Check out our photography tips and take your "best shot".
AF-S NIKKOR 80–400mm f/4.5–5.6G ED VR lens
Aperture Auto
Shutter speed 1/1000
Gear
You need a telescopic lens for sports photography. However, if you are photographing children playing football or filming any sporting events, a camera with a 300mm lens focal length will suffice. Lenses equipped with an optical stabilization system (VR) are best suited for this purpose. You will need a tripod to avoid hand-shake blur when using long focal length lenses.
Learn the rules of the competition
Before you start shooting sports, you need to learn the rules, learn to understand the game and movements of athletes. Otherwise, you will not know what moment of the game is interesting to shoot and when you can expect it.
If you know the rules and the course of the game, then you will understand that, for example, in football it follows a tense game in the penalty area, and in volleyball it follows the confrontation of players near the net.
Then you will learn to anticipate when acute situations may arise, and to gather in anticipation of key moments. And you won't miss them.
AF-S NIKKOR 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR lens
F8 aperture
Shutter speed 1/125
The photo above captures one of the key moments in the world's most popular game of baseball. It was the knowledge of the mechanism of the game, its rules, that made it possible to take such a picture.
Choosing the Right Position
Positioning is extremely important in sports photography. It can be said that if you can't take pictures from a good location, you won't be able to take good pictures. The choice of this location differs for different types of competitions, but the main rule is to try to shoot from a position where the faces of the athletes are visible. You can watch the competition from different angles later on the video.
So, for example, in football, photographers shoot goals from the side of the goal, because this makes it possible to capture the expression on the athlete's face.
In the photo below, the boy is shooting a penalty, and due to the fact that the camera is located in front and to the right, it was possible to photograph his face at the moment of hitting the ball.
AF-S NIKKOR 80–400mm f/4.5–5.6G ED VR lens
Aperture Auto
Shutter speed 1/500
Shoot in shutter priority mode
. Indeed, exposure times of less than 1/250 s are often required. And sometimes, for example, when photographing tennis, in order to “stop the ball”, you need an exposure time of 1/500-1/1000.
When shooting outdoors on a clear day, especially when using a fast lens, you can shoot using ISO 100, but higher values are better in cloudy and rainy weather. When shooting in a gym or other indoor environment, you will often need to use sensitivity values around ISO 800-1600.
Nikon 80-200mm f/2.8 ED AF-S Zoom-Nikkor lens
F2.8 aperture
Shutter speed Auto
ISO 1600
Once you get the hang of it, you can experiment with slower shutter speeds (so-called "panning shooting").
When using a fast shutter speed, as, for example, in the photo above, both the person and the background freeze, do not move (exposure time - 1/250). On the other hand, when “shooting with a wire” (photo below), the background is blurred, which brings a sense of dynamics (exposure time - 1/30).
AF-S NIKKOR 80–400mm f/4.5–5.6G ED VR lens
Aperture Auto
Shutter speed 1/250
When panning, make sure that the camera on a tripod only moves in the plane of movement of the main subject. Focus on your subject and shoot by moving the camera as it moves. You may have to experiment with the optimal ratio of shutter speed - aperture - photosensitivity, so as not to "overexposure the frame", effectively blur the background, but at the same time maintain sufficient sharpness on the main object.
AF-S NIKKOR 80–400mm f/4.5–5.6G ED VR 9 Lens0073 Aperture Auto
Shutter speed 1/30
Use various AF modes
When photographing football, volleyball, athletics, and other sports where the distance between the photographer and the subject often changes, it is better to switch to Continuous Servo AF ( FROM).
One-Shot AF (S) sets focus on the subject and locks it at that distance, while continuous-servo AF allows the focus mechanism to move with the subject, keeping it in focus. This allows you to focus solely on catching the right moment.
I would like to draw your attention to one point: focus not on the ball, but on people. By watching the players through the camera lens, you can capture the moment of receiving the ball or the moment of impact, as in the photo below.
AF-S NIKKOR 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR lens
Aperture Auto
Shutter speed 1/250
With both continuous-servo AF and single-servo AF, the trick is to keep both eyes open. With one you look through the viewfinder, with the other you look over the camera at the scene. So you don't miss anything important.
Always be ready to shoot
In sports, it is very difficult not to miss a decisive moment. For example, in ball games, as in the photo below, it is important that the ball is in the center of the frame, but it is incredibly difficult for the camera to follow it with the camera.
Nikon 80-200mm f/2.8 ED AF-S Zoom-Nikkor lens
F2.8 aperture
Shutter speed Auto
ISO 1600
There is a small amount of time between the moment you press the button and the shutter clicks. And when incredible precision in timing is required, trigger times can be very difficult to account for.
A good example is the photo below. The photographer pressed the button when the player sent the ball, but in the photo the ball had already escaped from his hand. If you press the shutter-release button after the moment when the player swings his hand behind his head, the photo with the ball in the frame will no longer work.
Lens 24-120mm f/3.5-5.6D IF Zoom-Nikkor
Aperture Auto
Shutter speed 1/1000
Continuous shooting is convenient for running and other competitions at high speeds. When sprinters go through a turn or when playing a scoring combination, use burst shooting and then select the best shots. It is also good to take a series of shots when your favorite footballer is with the ball.
