How to Improve Your Sports Photography
Photography is quite an exceptional field for creative people. In fact, it is one of the most common ways to showcase your creativity. People opt for different genres of photography based on their preferences. Sports photography is one of the most fascinating of those genres. Sports photography is captivating but equally challenging as well. But challenges are meant to be overcome not to discourage you from getting started. Here is a quick guide to help you get better at it conveniently.
What is sports photography?
Talking of the camera body, in particular, you can go for almost anyone that has better processing speed. Since image capturing is a process that comprises several elements. A lot of things go on from the moment the light falls on the sensor till you see the captured image on the screen.
So, cameras with better image processors are desirable in sports photography. Make sure the camera you choose has better autofocusing features. Apart from that, the camera should have a better ability to shoot photos in burst mode. The action in sports happens so fast that you would not be able to shoot the best action. So, you would be using burst mode most of the time. It is far easier to pick the right photo from the series easily.
When it comes to your camera lens, there are only two things you have to focus on the most. First, the lens should allow you to go as nearer to the action as possible. Second, the lens must work fast in low-light situations. In conclusion, you have to go for telephoto lenses in general with a wide aperture.
If you are a beginner, there is no need for a pro telephoto lens because a 100-400 mm and f/4 lens will serve your purpose. If the lens comes with better image stabilisation features, it would be far more convenient for you to shoot sports events.
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Some tips to help you improve your sports photography
Having every accessory is not the only thing you need to capture a better photo if you don’t know the right way to use them. There are some tips you should keep in mind for the best results. Let us have a look at these tips and see how they help you improve.
Make sure you know every important feature of the camera
As we have already told you, the actions are going to happen quite rapidly. From a golf swing, to a basketball dunk, to a volleyball spike, you have to move and act fast to capture these swift movements. So, there is no chance you would be able to figure out the right settings in the middle of that. Making the best use of your camera settings is possible only if you are well aware of every part of your camera interface.
A good sports photographer must know his/her camera. They should have the most used settings right on dedicated buttons. It would let them choose the perfect settings and go.
Take a look at the best photos in this segment
See the photos in that category that have gone quite popular and made it to the best websites or newspapers. Looking at the photos from professional photographers would give you enough idea about the best way to shoot photos.
No matter how skilled a photographer is and the paramount quality of the image, there is always some space for creative photographers to introduce something extra and produce even better images. You will get to learn about these things a lot once you start studying those photos.
Know the rules of the game
You can capture the right and most thrilling photos only when you know the rules of the game. Since you are there to express some emotion through the images, you have to know the rules. Then only you can shoot photos at the perfect interval of time.
Though you might not have played the game, you have to be familiar with the rules. Knowing the rules lets people shoot photos based on certain objectives. You can learn more about the rules of the game by watching that game a few times before you plan to shoot photos.
Try to tell a story through your photos
One thing you have to keep in mind when you are trying to improve your sports photography, is you are not there only to capture the victory or loss. A game consists of much more than just victory and loss.
If you see the photos captured by skilled sports photographers, you will find that they include fans in the frame. A fan is an integral part of the game. That is why you have to be ready to capture just shots or goals. Make fans a part of your image to bring life into it.
When you are capturing the emotion, it is necessary to focus on the human face. Emotions are expressed the best way through faces. People watch their favourite players react in different ways. And that reaction gives enough chances to the photographers to capture the moment and bring emotions to the images.
Make sure you are able to work without flash
This is another important thing to care about here. The use of any in-camera or external flash is very bad for the athletes as it distracts them. The use of flashlights is considered among the worst manners from the audience side in a sporting event.
It sounds simple to go without flash but you have to take care of several important things. First, you will need to learn how to capture the best photos with the already present light in the stadium. In order to make the best use of that light, you must bring fast lenses and set your camera on high ISO modes.
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Final words
There is a large number of things about this field when you are working to improve your sports photography skills once you get started. If you have enough ideas about the way the best photos look in this area, you will be able to grab the track easily.
Precision matters a lot here. That is why having multiple shots will help you choose the best one. Once you gain better skills to shine in this field, you are going to enjoy doing it.
About the Author
Emma Taylor is an Australian blogger and photographer, who lives in Melbourne with her two cats, where she frequents live theatre and wine bars.