So you want to be a sports photographer. Awesome! Sports photography is how we capture sports – but it’s also something more than that. Sports photography is an artistic medium for artists to express how they see the world of sports. We’re going to break down step-by-step how to shoot sports images, with camera tips and location tricks. By the end, you’ll be ready to shoot action sports photography of your own.
Sports Photography Tips: #1
Know your camera
The maxim “be prepared” should be heeded for everything in life, not just sports photography. But in the case of sports photography, it’s especially pertinent. There are two things you need to be prepared for in action sports photography: the first is the sport and the second is the photography. It may sound trite to say that but it’s true. We’re going to cover the “sport” aspect of sports photography later, but first let’s talk about the camera.
If you want to be a sports photographer, you need to know how to use a camera. So how do you use a camera? Well, we start with the exposure triangle. The exposure triangle is the process through which the camera captures light through aperture, shutter speed, and ISO. Let’s break down the three elements of the exposure triangle in greater detail.
APERTURE
Aperture is the opening of a camera lens through which light passes. In the sports pictures game, your success starts and ends with your knowledge of the various camera and lens settings. The aperture is one of these key components.
In this video guide, we've detailed the various storytelling benefits of the aperture, which can help you decide on the best lens for sports photography.
What is Aperture? • Subscribe on YouTube
SHUTTER SPEED
Shutter speed is the length of time for which an image is exposed to light. To get a full understanding of the best shutter speed for sports photography, we need to know how shutter speed works. Here's an explainer video to lay out the basics of how critical this camera setting is in a sports photoshoot.
What is Shutter Speed? • Subscribe on YouTube
ISO
ISO refers to the how the camera sensor "processes" the light hitting it. In the old days, shooting on celluloid, ISO measured the film stock's sensitivity to light. Today, with digital sensors, it measures how much the "boost" the light is given, similar to a volume knob on a stereo.
The lower the ISO number, the less amplification the sensor gives to the light and vice versa. For sports images, ISO comes in to play if you're shooting a night game (to amplify the light signal) or a midday outdoor game (to decrease the light). Here's another tutorial on how ISO works.
Best Camera for Sports Photography Beginners • What is ISO • Subscribe on YouTube
If you know the exposure triangle and how to maximize its components – aperture, shutter speed, and ISO – then you’re already on your way to becoming a great sports photographer. Consider reading our guide to camera lenses to learn more about sports photography lenses.
For a more thorough explanation of exposure and how these settings work in combination, download our FREE Ebook — The Ultimate Guide to Exposure. Now all you need to know is how to shoot sports. Let’s jump into some sports photography tips!
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Ultimate Guide to Exposure
The Exposure Triangle is something every photographer and cinematographer needs to master. Download our FREE e-book to get in-depth explanations and tutorials on topics like aperture, ISO, shutter speed, and how to balance these settings to nail perfect exposure every time.
Sports Photography Tips: #2
Know the sport(s)
One of the most difficult aspects of action sports photography is having to know all of the different action sports you’re going to photograph. Say that three times fast!
Why do you need to know different sports? Well, you need to know sports to know where, what and when to shoot.
Kirk Gibson Barrels Into Catcher Pat Borders • Chuck Solomon
Baseball is a perfect example — it may seem like nothing happens on the baseball diamond, but if you know where to look, there’s almost always something interesting happening. It’s your job as a sports photographer to capture that moment of interest.
Sports Photography Tips: #3
Get permission
If you’re just getting started with sports photography, chances are you’re not going to be taking photos at Madison Square Garden. So your best bet is to start shooting at local sporting events. But before you break out your camera equipment, you should consider doing these three things:
- Contact the school/organization’s athletic office
- Ask where you’re allowed to set up your equipment
- Communicate with athletes directly
That last point should be reserved for situations in which there isn’t a school or organization athletic office. But the point is that it’s always a good idea to get permission. The last thing you want is for your "one-in-a-million" shot to be blocked by permission or image rights issues from the athletes.
Sports Photography Tips: #4
Work with athletes
Athletes want to improve their craft just like sports photographers do. Oftentimes, it’s in the best interest of both parties to work together – the athlete gets great promotional material, and the photographer gets to practice their skills.
Great Sports Pictures • A Skater Amidst the Palm Trees • Pablo Vaz
If you don’t know any athletes, then go to a public sporting area and ask if anybody’s interested in getting photographed. Tip: tell them you’ll send them the photos and follow through with it.
Sports Photography Tips: #5
Capture the action
Check out this iconic photo of Dwayne Wade reacting to LeBron James going up for a dunk on the fastbreak, from Morry Gash.
LeBron James Rises Up for a Dunk • Morry Gash, AP
This is just one example of knowing where to capture the action. Nowadays, most NBA photographers are relegated to the baseline. Other sports allow their photographers to capture the action from a myriad of camera angles.
Anticipate where the action is going to occur and set up your angle accordingly.
Sports Photography Tips: #6
Capture the emotion
In 1954, 25-year-old Roger Bannister broke the world record for fastest recorded mile-run — completed at 3 minutes and 59.4 seconds. Thankfully, there were sports photographers there to capture the emotional moment he crossed the finish line.
Sir Roger Bannister Completes a Sub-Four Minute Mile • Getty Images
What does this photo of Roger Bannister teach us? Well, it teaches us to capture the emotion of a sport just as we capture its action. Sometimes, the look on an athlete’s face tells more of a story than the game itself.
Sports Photography Tips: #7
Capture the detail
In sports photography, getting the details is just as important as capturing action and emotion. If you’re hoping to catch details like the names on a player’s back, consider swapping camera lenses – and if you need any guidance check out our article on How to Choose the Right Camera Lens.
Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski on the Sidelines in New England • John Glaser Zumapress.com
You don’t need to be on the Patriots’ sideline to capture awesome detail in sports photography. Detail can be found at your local race track, outdoor basketball court, or college baseball diamond.
Sports Photography Tips: #8
Follow the story
One of the best things about sports is that they have the power to unify us against obstacles and show us insight into critical moments of our past. Perhaps no sports photograph is more indicative of these two perspectives than this — Jesse Owens receiving a gold medal for Long Jump at the 1936 Olympics while Luz Long and thousands of others give Adolf Hitler Nazi salutes.
Jesse Owens winning the gold • Photo Bettmann Archive/Getty Images
This example shows us that sometimes you just have to be in the right place at the right time to shoot an iconic sports photograph. This photo is overexposed and even a little blurry — but the story it tells is simply incredible.
Sports Photography Tips: #9
Change perspectives
Think about any sport — let’s use basketball as an example. What angle are most basketball photos taken from? Overhead? Wide? No, they’re taken from the baseline facing up at the players.
Now think about a fight. What angle would you expect to see? The perspective of a ringside attendee? An over the shoulder shot of the fighter? Well, how about a top-down aerial view?
Muhammad Ali Stands Victorious After Knocking Out ‘Big Cat’ Williams • Neil Leifer
This is an incredible sports photograph for a lot of reasons — but first and foremost, we’re drawn to it because it’s unique. How often have you seen a fight from this perspective? If you’re anything like me, then never. The novelty of seeing Ali from this perspective is truly awesome.
Sports Photography Tips: #10
Layer your composition
Visual composition is how an image is put together or composed. A well-composed image is something that we usually call aesthetically-pleasing — some visual artists will tell you there's science to great composition, but I’d suggest you know it when you see it.
Take this next sports photograph for example and consider the composition:
Tiger Woods Tees Off at The Masters • Fred Vuich
This is a masterfully composed photo. Why? Well, look at the lines. Squint at it and look past all the individual details — this photo is doing something incredible. The green is pushing forward; the spectators are serving as its guard rails; and the trees are nearly eliminating the top part of the frame. You don’t need to be at The Masters to shoot a photo like this but you do need to be a master of the craft.
Sports Photography Tips: #11
Consider color
Color theory in photography is a valid consideration and also plays a huge role in sports photography for two reasons: it makes an image standout and it gives it character. Take this photo of the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team Captain Megan Rapinoe, for example:
U.S. Team Captain Megan Rapinoe Celebrates a Goal • Ian Langsdon/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
Look at all of the different colors in the frame: emerald, fuschia, red, blue, and gold to name a few. Of course, photographer Ian Langsdon didn’t wardrobe Rapinoe with all of these colors but he did choose what to keep in the frame. Ultimately, the color makes this an eye-catching sports photograph.
If you're interested in a deep dive into color theory, we've got another FREE Ebook on everything you need to know.
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Hue, saturation, brightness — the three elements of color that make all the difference. In this book, we'll explain the aesthetic qualities and psychology effects of using color in your images. Topics include color schemes like analogous and triadic colors and how color palettes can tell stories of their own.
Sports Photography Tips: #12
Go behind the scenes
Sometimes the most interesting story at a sporting event isn’t what’s happening on the field/court/etc., it’s what’s happening behind the scenes. Perhaps no photo is a better indication of this point than the photo of then-President John F. Kennedy and Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson watching a Washington Senators game.
JFK and LBJ Take in America’s Pastime • Neil Leifer
The crowd is full of characters just as interesting as the players. It’s your job to find the most interesting characters in a crowd on any given day.
Sports Photography Tips: #13
Get into the thick of it
Sports photography can get messy. As such, you need to be prepared to get dirty. Take this iconic photo Joe Namath listening to a call on the sideline for example. Consider how much you get brought into the game with sports images like this.
Joe Namath Takes a Call at a Messy Jets Game • Neil Leifer
What would this photo be if it was shot from a wider angle? Would it still feel so mucky? Or would it lose its impact? I’d say the best thing about this photo is that it brings us right into the action. Sports aren’t always glamorous so why should sports photographs try to make them out to be?
Sports Photography Tips: #14
Go out and do it
Our last tip is the most simple yet important advice we can give: go out and do it. Nobody became a great sports photographer overnight. Every great sports photographer practiced and practiced until they became great — just like the athletes themselves.
Sports Photography Examples • Bill Russell and Red Auerbach Share a Happy Moment • AP
Sports photography is one way we preserve culture and capture human moments. It’s a vision into victory, loss, pain, euphoria, and all the things in between. Go out into the world and capture these moments so the world won’t forget them.
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