InFocus Photography Tips - Sports Photography

The most important element in sports and action photography is speed. Speed of the eye to capture the moment and speed of the equipment and settings to capture the image sharply. Most good sports images are taken when the subject is moving. Therefore quick reaction and close attention to shutter speeds are always essential.

This doesn't necessarily mean that a fast shutter speed has to be employed. Careful use of slower shutter speeds can introduce selective subject movement, enhancing the feeling of action in the image. One popular technique is 'panning the subject' which incorporates a slow shutter speed while tracking the action. This keeps the main subject sharp while blurring other detail in the image.

In order to get those breathtaking action photos, reaction and speed are only half of what is needed by the photographer. The other element is knowledge. The photographer has to know the sport or game he/she is photographing and know it well. With a familiarity to a sport, just like most subjects, the photographer develops the instinct of knowing what will happen next and where it may happen.

With some sports like motor racing, the subject will pass a certain point at regular intervals. This gives the photographer the chance not only to get a good sharp image, but also to use various techniques on the same subject as it comes back around. These could include panning and selective subject movement.

Sulky Racing

This image is a sport called Harness or Sulky Racing which also takes place on a track. The sense of action and speed is depicted very well in this image by background blur. Though the horse also shows signs of blur, this enhances the action in the image. What makes the image a success is that the rider is pin sharp.

With many other sports, particularly those played on a field, it can be much harder to determine where and when the action will happen. For even faster sports such as car racing whether street or track, techniques such as follow-focus or pre-focusing are as essential as a fast shutter speed. This usually means using a fast film as well to help to get an acceptable amount of depth of field, which can be a problem when using a fast shutter speed in poor light.

Soccer

Soccer is a fast moving game where the ball and players could be from one end of the pitch to the next in a matter of seconds. The photographer has to predict the best vantage points from which good action images can be obtained. In many circumstances with soccer, the best images are obtained around the goal area. Which of the two goal areas most action will take place depends mainly on the two teams in question.

Different sports require different approaches to obtaining good images. How to determine what way to photograph a particular sport, a very familiar knowledge of the sport, the players and sometimes the location is necessary.

Action

The Sports and Action competition isn't just about sports however, it is also about capturing action within the image. Action photos are not confined to sports subjects. The same rules as regards technique will apply, the subject would just be a non sports subject.

For example a simple photo of a child jumping or an airplane flying can also be classed as an action photo. The emphasis here though has to be on action of the subject, whatever it is, must be clearly depicted as moving.

The closing date for Sport and Action is October 1, 2002. For full entry details go to http://www.schoolofphotography.com/comp.html

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