Search the Web

Monday, September 29, 2008

HOW TO SHOOT SPORTS PHOTOS


1.Shutter speed — Most sports happen quickly, so set yourself up to capture the action. Make sure your shutter speed (length of time a shutter is open) is the same or higher than your lens' focal length (e.g. if you're using a 50 mm lens, make sure to shoot at 125 or faster)
2.Tripod — If you don't already use a tripod or a monopod, now's the time to get one. With a monopod, you have more flexibility to move than a tripod and you can lock your focus, check your focus, on where the action might be in a few minutes or seconds with ease. Some lenses also have a feature called image stabilization which will partially correct minimal camera shake.
3.Tell the story — Don't be afraid to get in close to an athlete. The sweat on a brow, the guttural growl of aggression, the arms-raised cry of victory, the pain of exertion — each of these moments help to tell the story behind the story of sport.

1 comment:

scott said...

Other factors to consider regarding a monopod.

When shooting sports, you need to be agile as well as comfortable. Often it is neither practical nor preferable to use a large tripod. So what is your option if you don’t want to hold the camera on your own throughout the game? You need a monopod, which is very similar to a conventional tripod, but minus two legs. You attach your camera in the same manner as with a tripod, but you don’t have to worry about folding the legs in or out. Simply extend the one leg to the desired height, lock it in place and start shooting. It’s much more convenient to move around as well, because you don’t have the three legs of a tripod extended at different angles. There is only the one leg standing vertically next to your body.
Again, there are a number of options available to you, but I would recommend finding something in the middle price range. You don’t want to trust your expensive camera equipment to a shaky monopod that doesn’t hold up well. If you are just starting, you also most likely want to avoid the most pricey models. Once again, these could equal the price of your camera.
You should also consider the weight factor when looking for a monopod. I recommend finding one made from carbon fiber, as it is not only fairly light, but strong as well. It won’t transfer cold to your hands like aluminum does. Take a look at your options in person rather than buying off the internet. This way you can test it out to see how easy it is to extend and lock down the legs, as well as get a feel for the weight.

For more information on the right equipment to use visit http://sportsphotographysuccess.com