10 Tips for Better Sports Photography
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5. Off Camera Flash
This is a cool technique if you want to create dramatic sports portraits or sports action photos. Sometimes keeping your flash on camera can really give a stunned look to your subject. A few years ago, I started shooting using off camera flash, and created some fantastic photographs. It takes a bit of getting used to, and you need to understand your flash as well as your camera, but once you've cracked it, the results can be brilliant and unique.
6. Work With Your Subject
If you want to photograph athletes, it's always a good idea to speak with them first and let them know what you are trying to achieve. Maybe show them some of the examples which you found during your 'inspiration research'. This will enable them to work with you, in order to capture the sports photographs that you have in mind. It really does help, and you'll be surprised at how much more creative your photographs and ideas will become.
7. Plan Your Angles & Locations
If you're planning a photo shoot, it's important that you consider and plan the backdrop to your sports photographs. In my experience, this is just as important as the subject itself. I often head out a few weeks prior to a photo shoot, in order to work out the location, take a few sample shots, and figure out the best angles to shoot from, especially with regards to the sun. If I am shooting abroad, and am unable to plan to this extent, I usually research the locations online.
8. Shutter Speeds
Photographing sports does not always mean that you will be using high shutter speeds, which freeze the action. Try to experiment with slower shutter speeds which can help to emphasise movement and speed. It's great fun to work with, and you can create lots of cool effects, which vary depending on the shutter speed, or how fast your subject is moving.
9. Tell a Story
One thing that I always try to do when photographing sports, is to tell a story. As temping as it may be to concentrate solely on the action, sometimes it's the wider selection of images which are needed in order to build a good, strong body of sports photography. Try photographing portraits, close ups of equipment, sports lifestyle photographs, or scenes which are associated to the sports which you are working with. Basically you want your images to read like a book, and engage the viewer.
10. Try Something New
Don't be afraid to try something new. Maybe use a different lens than you normally would, or maybe even utilise a selection of creative filters. To create a stunning sports photograph, you need to think outside of the box. There are a lot of excellent photographers out there, all creating outstanding images, each and every day. How are you going to be different?
Biography
This article was written by Jordan Weeks, a professional sports photographer from the United Kingdom.
Jordan has worked with sports photography ever since picking up a camera. He specialises in adventure sports such as cycling, running, and surfing. His vibrant and creative sports photographs have been sourced by many companies across Europe, and his work is regularly featured in various magazines, books, and travel guides.
You can see more of Jordan's photography on his website at www.jordanweeks.com
You can also stay connected with Jordan via the usual methods -
- Twitter - https://twitter.com/#!/jordanweeks_com
- Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/pages/Jordan-Weeks-Photography/247225148625009
- Flickr - http://www.flickr.com/photos/jordanweeks
- Google+ - https://plus.google.com/u/0/110214096088801092869/posts
Or you can subscribe to his sports photography blog at - http://www.jordanweeks.com/subscribe.html
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photos, photo, photography, how to, sports, tips, sport, cycle, surfing, swimming, cycling, hike, triathlon, surf, hiking, swim
#1 steve johnson
Thanks for sharing very useful information.please check also auto approved Article.webmafia.in article site.
Thanks
3:38 pm - Thursday, February 16, 2012
#2 Leah
Great and inspiring tips!!! Worth full Information for those who are into the sports photography. It would be better if you provide some photo editing tips. This will probably more helpful.
6:11 am - Friday, February 17, 2012
#3 Tony Sale
Great tips here, i love the very low angle shots very dynamic results.
10:58 pm - Thursday, February 23, 2012
#4 Eric Spears
Those are great tips to improve sports photography. But what about the sports themselves? Here are my suggestions to improve sports: http://daisybrain.wordpress.com/2010/02/04/how-to-improve-sports/
1:59 am - Tuesday, February 28, 2012
#5 Andy A.S Photography
As a Commercial Photographer i have not taken the step into much sport work but i am starting to cover more of the even side. What i find hard is getting creative shots during live sport like football matches when you have no control over the action. Any tips?
11:20 am - Friday, March 2, 2012
#6 daniel
Very nice shots; I like the wide lens idea.
Thanks.
5:35 pm - Monday, March 5, 2012
#7 Behind Scene Crew
Thanks for posting this! I will refer this article to my friend who is a photographer and he wants to find more techniques he will used for the improvement for his photographs.
10:37 am - Wednesday, March 14, 2012
#8 Jon M Photography
I just loved the tips. I am a wedding photographer and sometimes struggle with other areas. I love reading helpful tips to be a better photographer. Thanks
5:33 am - Saturday, April 14, 2012
#9 Heidi
You used to need long lenses and a lot of expensive equipment to shoot great sport images and you may still need that for editorial content, but for stock photography, all things have changed, or so it appears. An iPhone will do now, as getting in close and keeping it real are key:
http://www.pocketstock.com/academy/video/16
3:16 pm - Monday, May 21, 2012
#10 Russell
Hey,
Great pictures!
http://www.russellmartin.tv
4:14 pm - Sunday, June 10, 2012
#11 liam smith photography
great shots, wedding is my main subject but keeping inspiration fresh is where its at. i always loved bob martins work for a different spin on sport (bobmartin.com) his paralympics work is brilliant
10:34 am - Saturday, June 16, 2012
#12 canvas photo
thank you for the great info and brilliant tips i hope i can apply them to my shots and they looks as good as yours thanks
8:49 am - Friday, June 29, 2012
#13 canvas photo
great shots thanks for the tips i hope my photos come out as well as yours
9:10 am - Thursday, July 26, 2012
#14 Eye Fly Media
Great tips here. It’s really important to understand the sport before photographing. You will know which part is the most exciting and anticipated by the audience and readers. Sports photography is slight different from the others, try to look for more sport photos and get the rough idea before starting. Anyway, thanks for the superb article!
3:31 pm - Friday, August 24, 2012
#15 Sports Action Photography
thanks for giving me to grate tips about sports photography. i have also specializes in capturing the special moments for every player.
7:44 am - Tuesday, August 28, 2012
#16 Baitul Ulum
These are the techniques that I should learn more, although I’m not a good photographer, but I often work in designs project. Photography is really important. Thanks for the tips.. :) http://bursadesain.com
8:59 pm - Saturday, October 13, 2012
#17 joe
Great photography skills, benefited
12:48 am - Monday, February 18, 2013
#18 Cy
Excellent article! I incorporate many of the tips into my own work at : http://www.cycyr.com
5:22 am - Friday, March 8, 2013