Capturing exciting moments is one of the best parts of photography and photographing sports provide ample opportunities for great shots and impactful images! Though it can be difficult to capture the intensity and emotion of sports moments, we’re here to give you some tips, tricks, and gear recommendations to help you master sports photography with the help of some images from local, Cleveland sports photographer, Tim Phillis!
Get in the Game
Perhaps your best tool for capturing awesome sports shots is an understanding of the sport you are shooting. Before you head out to photograph a sporting event, make sure you have a good understanding of the rules, general gameplay, and player dynamics. This will help you anticipate exciting moments and help you make sure you’re capturing high energy, dynamic moments. This approach is key to capturing the emotions behind sports. Knowing what’s going on will be super useful in anticipating player reactions or interactions.
Mastering Your Camera
Sports happen fast, you’ll want to make sure you are familiar with your camera and camera settings so you don’t miss any photo-worthy moments! This will take some practice but the more familiar you are with your camera and gear the faster you are able to make adjustments and the more likely you are to never miss a moment.
There are a few settings specifically that will be really helpful when capturing sporting events.
Composition Techniques
Composition is king! Make your subject pop by keeping in mind a few simple compositional tips!
Positioning + Panning
Positioning:
Though sometimes space can be limited while photographing sports, don’t be afraid to test out different angles and perspectives. Depending on access, you may be able to shoot from the sidelines, endzones, or elevated positions. Test every vantage point for yourself and challenge yourself to test out a new perspective!
Panning:
Try out panning to add a sense of motion to your images. Track a moving subject and use a slower shutter speed to capture your subject with a blurred background.
Get the Timing Right
When it comes to sports photography, timing is everything. Anything you can do to ensure that you are able to keep up with and capture fast-paced moments will help you get great shots!
In addition to learning the sport you’re shooting so you can anticipate photo-worthy moments and using fast shutter speeds or high burst mode, pre-focusing you camera can be really helpful. Once you’re able to anticipate where the big moments are likely to happen, pre-focus your camera on those areas and wait for your subject to enter your scene. This approach will help your camera focus faster and increase your chances of capturing important moments!
Get the Right Gear!
Having the right gear is essential in any type of photography but it’s especially important in sports photography!
Sports photography is a combination of technical knowledge, creativity, the right gear, and passion. It is an opportunity for you to capture exciting sports moments and document compelling stories. Whether you’re shooting amateur athletes or professionals, there are plenty of opportunities for awesome action shots Gear up, hit the field, and put your passion for both sports and photography to work!