Sports Photography - True Photography?

I don't have a pro sports shooters kit but I'm slowly getting some stuff together, if you see my site it is predominantly sport. The quote "Anyone can do sports photography" may have one samll element of truth, that is, they'd all get photos in the end. BUT not anyone can produce PROFESSIONAL RESULTS in fact a lot of people wouldn't even know what they are doing wrong or that a particular sports photo is lacking in quality. I could give someone my 70-200 f/2.8 or 300 f/4 on their body and say here you go, go be a sports shooter, I think you'd find a very small percentage producing professional looking results. I know I've learnt more from shooting sport than from shooting anything else, theres no time to stop and re-adjust settings etc, your changing on the go and when the big occassion happens in a match, if you miss it, you can't ask them to do it again. So I invite anyone to try and see how they go. I'd imagine they'll be back on here asking what they can do to improve in no time!

It may seem like sports shooters are the "Loose Goose" of the photographic world but I'd offer this take:

"They" say that in the circus world, despite outward appearances, the "Clown On The High Wire" act is usually performed not by a clown but by the most accomplished high wire walker. He has the ability to make the technique secondary to the showmanship.

I think this is what makes the best sports shooters. The mechanics of photography are so ingrained and are so second nature that the photog is free to focus all their energies on getting "the shot." They are free to concentrate totally on the event and can devote many brain cycles to situations, trends and developments in the game.

Another advantage is that conditions in sporting venues tend to be consistant through the duration of the event. Some obvious exceptions would be an afternoon NFL game at Texas Stadium (with that God awful shadow...) and a day into night event like a twilight baseball game.

But shooting in a domed stadium? Set it and forget it for the most part. Same with a night game that actually starts after dark. Just bring your really fast glass which, judging by what's used in the various camera pits around the USofA, there's plenty.

Tumeg wrote in post #5268754
1) Sports photography limits you to creative angles
2) It is harder in sports photography to compose a shot
3) All you really do in sports photography, is point and click and hope you are getting good shots!

If you actually believe any of those three statements then you're completely unsuited to be a sports photographer. Direct your attention to some other area of photography.

watchtherocks wrote in post #5268975

Each to their own, I guess.

Wow, I miss the water. This shot is incredible. I love the processing as well, do you have more similar shots?

I'd say that if you give a 1D series with a 500mm lens to anybody who understands exposure, they'll come out with lots of pictures and you'll see faces, action... etc.

But it might not tell a story...

And certainly very few will find the buyers for it and their shots have to be unique...

One can capture all the moments and emotions he wants, but if it's some little league game, it'll never appear in Sports Illustrated. SI needs celebrity stuff.

Tandem wrote in post #5277290
My wife occasionally shoots sports with me..... and comes back with some beautiful shots.

That's the main thing. If you are shooting for fun, everyone can shoot sport. It's not that hard to do it. With 100 or so people running, jumping, skiing, driving etc. you will get few really cool photos. But when shooting for money, "few really cool photos" doesn't count at all, if these are photos of people on place 17, 34 and 83. You need to have winner, or whoever your client wants. When considering this, all of a sudden things are not that easy anymore.
Problem with professional photography (and not just sport photography, but every other one too) is, that you must bring good enough photos... every single time! Not just those few times you were luck and you got really cool photos, but every single time. And noone is lucky every single time

What do you think of the similarities between the skills of a video game player and those of a sports photographer? Like the ability to anticipate situations, quick thinking, change strategies on the fly, determine friend or foe/good shot, bad shot and come back with the kill (shot) while at the same time having enough defense to not get killed or run over themselves by a charging player (enemy).

Would a great video game player make a great sports photographer and vice versa?

Anyone can be a Sports Photographer...

Sure, anyone can be a Sports Photographer just like anyone can be a Professional Pool Shooter. I was a professional Pool Shooter once but, after the first day, I got very hungry and decided to find another profession.

Enough sick humor...

Sports Photography is an exacting skill that requires top-notch photo technique, an in-depth knowledge of the sports you are shooting and the correct equipment.

IMO, without any of the above three building blocks, producing excellent sports photography is not very likely.

primoz wrote in post #5284097
That's the main thing. If you are shooting for fun, everyone can shoot sport. It's not that hard to do it. With 100 or so people running, jumping, skiing, driving etc. you will get few really cool photos. But when shooting for money, "few really cool photos" doesn't count at all, if these are photos of people on place 17, 34 and 83. You need to have winner, or whoever your client wants. When considering this, all of a sudden things are not that easy anymore.
Problem with professional photography (and not just sport photography, but every other one too) is, that you must bring good enough photos... every single time! Not just those few times you were luck and you got really cool photos, but every single time. And noone is lucky every single time

Well said.

Here's my guess...You want the folks to dish out $1600 (70-200 2.8 IS) for a $20/hr gig.

But the folks want you to admit it takes more than just a spendy lens to be a sports photog...

If you are really serious...Perhaps you could sell a bit of gear and get a less expensive fast prime in a focal length appropriate for whatever sport it is.

And prove to both you got what it takes...Then the folks will be more willing to help you along.

I think I would be a good Dictator...If I could just get someone to buy me a small country!

You got talent...that show's in your work, you just need to show them you got the talent for sports as well.

I have a parent that competes on my daugther's gymnastics team. She had the exact same lens and camera I had (300D with a 70-200 F/2.8 IS USM). Despite showing her how to use the camera and lens the exact same way I did, she still bought my images because she couldn't get the same shots of her daughter. And yes I set her camera up just like mine and explained what I look for and when I press the shutter.

So I guess there really isn't any talent involved. I was just consistently luckier than she was.

tonylong wrote in post #5268837
I guess the real answer is in a question: Can just ANYONE take, with any consistency, shots that would be published in, say, Sports Illustrated? Somehow, I gather that there is a level of both skill and a "vision" of what makes a "WOW" shot that sets the top level of sports photogs apart from the rest of us.

I was in the camera shop yesterday and discussed this topic with a couple of the staff.

The conclusion was that to be really good, one needs to understand the game that is being covered.

If you are a baseball fanatic and have never watched a hockey game, you won't do as well as someone that follows hockey and knows it.

Brad is quite right, sports photography is soooo easy.
Heck, since I got me a cam that clicks real fast, I actually leave my gear at home on Saturdays and watch the game from the clubhouse.
When I get home I'm constantly amazed at the pictures my camera has taken all by itself...

Anyone with a fast DSLR that can spray at 6.5-10 frames a second with no thought...isn't much of a photog.