Sports photography is definitely not everyone’s cup of tea. Events unfold pretty fast and are totally unpredictable. Therefore, you must remain alert and ready to capture whatever the players throw at you on your camera. In this context, let’s join professional sports photographer Jean Fruth with B&H who explains 5 awesome tips you can use for photographing live sports:
Subjects mostly move pretty fast when you’re photographing sports. And so, it becomes equally important that you and your camera are able to grab hold of them. Simply put, ensure that you understand the various focusing modes offered by your camera and use the one that best suits the sports you’re photographing. If the camera does its job correctly, that will make your life a whole lot easier.
“If you have pretty light, stop down your exposure in your camera and turn ordinary images into extraordinary.”
Just because you’re photographing sports, it doesn’t mean that you should give the creative side of your brain a rest. As Fruth puts it, if the lighting is right, feel free to experiment with your composition and lighting. You can try backlighting, side lighting, and even play around with light and shadows. Always keep an eye out for light and give a creative touch to your photos.
Players make split-second decisions when they’re on the field. What this also means is that you as the photographer must expect, and be ready to photograph many surprise moments in the came. It is therefore very important that you always have your full attention on the game. Don’t let anything distract you. Also, don’t worry too much if you happen to make a mistake. Concentrating on the shots you missed will only cause you to miss more shots.
While most of the aspects of sports photography are unpredictable, you can definitely anticipate and plan for the celebration shots. The players and team give your real and raw emotion when celebrating which makes it an important photo opportunity. So, be sure to plan for it. Capture the leap, roar, victory laps, or even the tears of joy. Have your plan ready and be ready to shoot.
If you’re aspiring to be a sports photographer, be sure to watch the complete video. Fruth’s tips and visual examples will surely help you out.
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