Sports photos can give even the most experienced photographer a headache.
The best shots are usually action shots, which means dealing with a number of challenging variables. The subject of the photo, typically an athlete or group of athletes, are moving rapidly. The lighting can be poor, especially in hockey games.
Finding the right angle to get the right shot varies by the sport. If one variable is overlooked, the shot won't work.
The correct equipment
A digital single-lens reflex camera is a must-have, as handheld cameras do not have the versatility or capability needed for sports photography. Lenses for sports photography must be fast, with a f-stop of 4 or less and feature long-distance zooms as photographers are not allowed on the playing field. A mount for the camera to reduce blurriness is helpful as well as a relief from having to carry the camera.
Shutter speed and f-stop
Avoid using the "Auto" settings on your camera, as the result will never come close to what you're looking for. Use "Manual" settings with the f-stop reduced to as low as the camera allows and the shutter speed somewhere between 1/30 and 1/1000 depending on the lighting, your distance from the action and whether the players are in motion or not. To show motion in the photo, the shutter speed can be slowed.
Focus
Depending how quickly the subject of the photo is moving, automatic focus may not work as well as manual focus, because it sometimes focuses on the background instead. Be ready to switch back and forth, using manual for high-motion shots and auto for others.
Timing
A crucial element of sports photography is taking your shot at the right moment. Try to anticipate where the ball or puck will go and put your camera there instead of sticking to where it currently is. Being able to do this depends a large part on your knowledge of the sport and team playing style. For example, if you're covering a football game, if the running backs are blocking defensive players and the quarterback is dropped back, it's likely a pass play which means having the camera on a potential receiver could result in an excellent catch shot. If your camera is still pointed at the quarterback when he throws, you may miss the action after it's thrown.
The Right Location
Finding the right location to get the best shots is usually a matter of knowing the sport and anticipate good shots. For example, covering football involves a lot of movement as the teams move up and down the 100-yard field, while for a long jump competition, staying adjacent to the sand pit will capture the decisive moment.
Composition
Capturing decisive moments during a match works well for illustrating news articles. When possible, get emotion on the faces of players to add drama to the photo.
Tags: sports photography, your camera, best shots, best shots usually, covering football
