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Photographers.co.uk

Sports Photography

Capturing the moment
Capturing the action and excitement of a sporting event in a photograph can be harrowing experience full of trial and error. Unlike most other photographic forms, sports photography is demanding because such a small window of opportunity is available to the photographer to capture the emotional moments, the hits and the misses of the game.

Capturing that great sporting moment:
Try and look outside the square and sometimes you will capture more than just the action, but also all the emotion of competition. For example, arguably one of the most famous sports pictures in the last century, was of a proud and fierce Muhammad Ali after knocking down Sonny Liston in the first round of their May 25, 1965 fight. Pictured was Ali screaming at Liston to stand up. Sport commentators from around the world suggest it is the greatest sports photograph ever taken.

The photographer managed to capture an emotional Ali, whose fierce determination was such a mark of the man and his fighting career. That photograph spoke a thousand words. Photographers should try to find that defining moment that captures the spirit of competition or the player. The moment that spectators at the event remember.

Photographers need to do the research:
Many people think luck plays a major part in photography. But some of the best sports photographers shoot frame after frame of quality pictures. Luck only comes to those that work for it. Do your homework; look at where you position yourself. Simply focusing on where the action is might give you some stunning shots, but that moment of emotional outburst that sums up the game could occur elsewhere.

Know your sport. It is important to know what you are looking at before taking the first camera click to see where changes in the momentum or when a brilliant piece of play is likely to occur.

Watch the players; see for any signs of fatigue, frustration, or excellence. Trail the lens on that player for a few minutes and you might capture the hang of the head, or a triumphant smirk that would be missed by photographers following the ball.

Framing the perfect shot:
Keep the picture tight. Remember you are trying to emphasize movement or expression. You can tighten up once you get back to the office, but with digital that will require a very high resolution, delaying the initial shots. Ensuring you have a tight focus on your subject will reduce the chance of distraction in your photograph.

Ensure you create a depth of field in the photograph so backgrounds do not distract from the image you are trying to capture. You are trying to isolate the subject from the rest of the background.

Automatic focus does not always achieve the best results. If timing is important for the shot then manual focus might be a better option. Keeping a moving image in focus is a skilled learnt through practice.

Don't wait, keep the camera clicking. If you are sensing something spectacular is about to happen, keep taking photographs. I was taking photographs at a horse race meeting for a newspaper. In the first couple of races I took some standard shots of horses crossing the finishing line, and a few when the barriers were opened. I took some photographs that could be used in the newspaper before planning a riskier shot in the feature race. The riskier shot will look better but might not work out. It is important to take some backup shots because you don't want to leave the event without a photo at all for your publication.

I focused on the leading jockey as she turned into the straight. I maintained the focus as she was coming into the finish line, when another horse closed in on the outside. I kept clicking while the closing horse passed and crossed the finishing line first. The photograph that made the newspaper was of two jockeys riding neck-and-neck, but both looked like they were in very different races. One had a smile, and the other knew she was defeated in the final meters.

Keep camera equipment at the ready:
Look after your camera and equipment. During breaks in the play check over the equipment and keep a checklist running through your head so that you don't miss anything.

Make sure you keep the camera in a safe place. Expect the unexpected. The closer you and your equipment are to the action, the greater the risk. If you think you have taken the photograph of the game, change firm or memory card immediately and keep the prize winner in a safe place.

Always ensure you have the backup film, memory cards and batteries close at hand. Remember that memorable moment could happen anywhere at any time, particularly while you are searching your camera case for that elusive memory card.

Finally, make sure you have the right equipment for the job and you know the limits of your equipment. A long lens is a necessity, and most sporting competitors and organizers frown on flash photograph because it can distract the players. Make sure your camera can fire shots off in rapid succession and that the shutter speed is fast.

Photography is an art form, and sports photograph is the science. Remember you can learn a lot of techniques by reading tips and hints all day, but you have to get out there and start taking the shots to know what is possible.

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Sports Photography