3.1 Sports Photography

In this section, we're gonna talk about a variety of techniques for sports assignments. High-end sports photography is highly specialized. This is a primer for general sports photography assignments to help you get started. Covering some basic guidelines, sports assignments, good sport photos can be created by any photographer. Sports photography is all about preparation, anticipation, and execution. First, preparation. Some of this may seem obvious, but overlooking any of these details can ruin a sports assignment. Credentials. You will need to secure your credential before game day, usually almost a week in advance. You will need proof of employment for the game, but this is how photographers always seem to get the best seat in the house. Gear choice. Oftentimes, your standard 7200 millimeter, 2.8 lens will not be sufficient for covering sports. You will need to rent a 300 millimeter, 2.8 lens. Renting expensive gear can be a headache. So make sure to leave yourself some time for this. Asking fellow photographers about positions and gear choices can be a great way to figure out what to bring to the game. A camera with a fast motor drive is a huge help for sports assignments. But if you can't get your hands on a fancy camera, a standard camera with a five frame per second speed can be sufficient if you anticipate the action. And under preparation, show up early. Find your position. Set your exposure. Get your laptop ready. And have a cheap hotdog. Being calm and collected is gonna help you when you are filing under a tight deadline. Anticipation. Sports photography is about having your camera pointed at the right place at the right time. A game defining moment can happen at any point and you need to be ready for it. For instance, in baseball if there is a runner on first base, you are gonna point your camera at second base. If there's a hit, that runner will be forced to second base, and likely there would be a dramatic play, as the second baseman attempts to tag out the runner. If your frame isn't set on the action and you're swinging your camera around trying to find it, you're likely going to miss the photo. If this play decides the World Series, you're gonna be screwed. Execution. This is simple. When the World Series play is happening in your viewfinder, make sure you nail the shot. The stadium may be exploding around you, but it's your job to stay calm and focused on the action. As well as looking for other photos out of the corner of your eye. Don't let a simple mistake like camera shake or a full memory card ruin your sports assignment. Get the photo, edit it, and quickly transmit it. Under extreme pressure situations like these, sports photographers are like zen masters. They don't stop to take a break until the last photo is sent. So that's a primer for sports photography. Next, we are going to look at some game examples.