Sports Photography Tips: Capturing the Decisive Moment
The atmosphere is electric, hearts are pounding, the crowd roars, yet at the precise millisecond the sports photographer has to hit that button and capture the moment for posterity.
We have all, at one time or another, been captivated by sports images that sum up the excitement of an event. It may be an image of our favourite football idol, a show jumping legend, a test cricketer or an Olympic sports star. Whatever it may be, it will be the defining moment of the event.
The image may depict the sheer human effort that the sportsman or sportswoman has given, or the pain threshold they have gone through to achieve what may well be their lifetime ambition. Whatever the subject, the photograph must represent this unique achievement.
Getting Into Position
Quality sports shots can occasionally be somewhat difficult to get. It is difficult to get to the byline or have an uninterrupted view of the action, though forward planning will help to overcome this.
The further away you are from the event, the harder it becomes to capture the action in a pleasing manner. Sports are an event where crowd control is important, not only for the crowd’s safety but also for the players.
The closer you are to the action, the better. The correct choice of equipment, particularly long lenses, is critical.
Typically, for a photographer with a press pass, you can get to the sidelines or other similar locations, which has clear advantages. Though, of course, you must not be tempted to enter the playing field at any time. Your conduct must be impeccable, as you are there in a privileged position and will reflect upon your professionalism.
If you do not have a press pass and are stuck in the stands, then do get as close as possible. This is another reason for forward planning, as you may have to buy tickets to reserve your seat months in advance.
Remember that others will also want to capture that moment and you will be jostled, so do stand your ground.
Know Your Sport
It is essential that you are familiar with the sport. Knowing the rules is not enough; you need to know what to expect, so study the sport well in advance.
This also means knowing where to position yourself for the best action.
Not only does your position matter with the subject, but also the background. Look at what is going to be behind your subject. While we will try to minimise the impact that a background has, it will still be unavoidable.
You therefore need to position yourself where the background is the most pleasing. Using wider apertures and throwing the background out of focus will help, though it is not a complete cure. Your positioning is therefore essential to the end result.
Capturing the Decisive Moment
No use waiting for the action replay or the player to do it again. You have to be ‘bang on the button’ to capture that decisive moment, so concentration on the action is essential.
Sports photography is all about timing and your reaction. It’s also about being in the right place at the right time.
With practice, you can anticipate the moment.
There is a saying in sports photography: “If you can see the action, then you have missed it.”
This means that when the player dives to head the ball and you see it shoot towards the goal, by this time the moment will have gone. You need to be on the trigger sooner.
So practise, practise, practise.
What Equipment to Use
Digital cameras have given the sports photographer a huge advantage over using film. The capacity of memory cards compared with 35mm film, along with digital editing facilities, allows the photographer to shoot large numbers of images while capturing the action.
It is essential that your camera has the facility to change lenses, as you will require long telephoto lenses to get close to the action.
Different sports require different lens lengths, and a telephoto zoom is an obvious advantage.
Lens speed is also a critical factor. While the faster the lens, the more expensive it will be, it will yield far better results, particularly if you wish to sell or enter your work in competitions.
Autofocus is useful in many circumstances, though it may also prove a disadvantage if the camera is hunting while trying to focus. Being able to control how the camera focuses, including the option to take control manually where necessary, can therefore be valuable.
Electronic flash is of little use in many field sports, as it will over-expose the foreground and is generally unsuitable for photographing distant action. Using the available light with an appropriate ISO setting can have positive advantages.
Other items of equipment to consider include a tripod and/or monopod, remote triggers, a stool to sit on and a sturdy camera bag.
But most important of all is to enjoy your sport and get some great pictures.
