Sport Photography Lecture

Hey all,

Next Saturday i have been asked to give a lecture [not workshop as no practical shooting] in our photography club, so i don't know what points i should talk about in sports photography.

I am going to create a slideshow about sports photography and i will include some photos there and also i will talk about gear and the settings [ISO, Aperture, Shutter speed, WB,...], ofcourse i don't want to talk about many sports but i may give quick reviews about different sports but because i shoot football so i will go in details more about football shoot [day and night], so what else i should talk about or include in the slideshow?

Be sure to emphasize the importance of clear faces and getting the ball in the frame. I would also stress the importance of knowing the sport that you are shooting and to be able to anticipate where the action is going to take place.

Also stress the importance of getting good celebration and high emotion moments. Those shots can be more important than getting the "big play".

As far as technicalities, just make sure everyone understands the need to keep their shutters speeds high enough for the sport they are shooting. Stress the importance of getting as clean of a background as possible, whether that be from picking your shooting positions carefully or using a super-telephoto with a large aperture to erase the background.

I'm sure that others will step in with some great points, this is just what I can think of off the top of my head.

A couple other things I might add:

- I would mention that many (most?) sports shooters find that manual exposure is the way to go in most situations, and discuss why that is.
- I would mention that many sports events have contracted exclusive photographers, and suggest ways to connect with the relevant management folks.
- Certainly in your slide show you could show "good" versus "bad" shots, whether it be perspective and angles, shutter speed and aperture issues, backgrounds, etc.
- Just from experience on this forum, I would stress "High ISO is better than missing the shot entirely" as it seems there's a pattern of preferring a dark, blurry unusable image at low ISO over a perfect capture with a touch of noise.

Dave

DDCSD wrote in post #9265881
Be sure to emphasize the importance of clear faces and getting the ball in the frame. I would also stress the importance of knowing the sport that you are shooting and to be able to anticipate where the action is going to take place.

Also stress the importance of getting good celebration and high emotion moments. Those shots can be more important than getting the "big play".

As far as technicalities, just make sure everyone understands the need to keep their shutters speeds high enough for the sport they are shooting. Stress the importance of getting as clean of a background as possible, whether that be from picking your shooting positions carefully or using a super-telephoto with a large aperture to erase the background.

I'm sure that others will step in with some great points, this is just what I can think of off the top of my head.

Thank you very much!

I included all in the slideshow i wrote down what i need to talk about, and ofcourse sportraiture are there [Fans, Audience, coach, referee,...], and yes, i will make sure to make the shots of clear face, ball, action, color, noise,...

I hope i can cover most important points in that lecture, also i will call one or 2 of my friends who are working in press and shooting sports to help me, not sure if i should be an assistant to them or they should be assistants for me, and i will think of some ideas if it will help.

I would like to know websites about football [Sports] with the best shots so i can use them as a samples to show if possible, or even to post the link for the website so to give credit to the photographers on that link(s)

Thanks!

tracknut wrote in post #9265911
A couple other things I might add:

- I would mention that many (most?) sports shooters find that manual exposure is the way to go in most situations, and discuss why that is.
- I would mention that many sports events have contracted exclusive photographers, and suggest ways to connect with the relevant management folks.
- Certainly in your slide show you could show "good" versus "bad" shots, whether it be perspective and angles, shutter speed and aperture issues, backgrounds, etc.
- Just from experience on this forum, I would stress "High ISO is better than missing the shot entirely" as it seems there's a pattern of preferring a dark, blurry unusable image at low ISO over a perfect capture with a touch of noise.

Dave

WOW, good ideas, thank you very much!

Included!

You might want to mention that indoor sports push the limits of some equiptment. We have lots of post asking about iso 1600 and f/4.5 lenses.

tracknut wrote in post #9265911
- Just from experience on this forum, I would stress "High ISO is better than missing the shot entirely" as it seems there's a pattern of preferring a dark, blurry unusable image at low ISO over a perfect capture with a touch of noise.

Dave

Great points, especially the last one!

Yes, the last match i was shooting [Yesterday] i was using ISO 1600 up to ISO 3200, even i did use ISO 6400 in few shots but at the end i decided i should stay with 3200 as the shutter is about 1/500 which is fine at least.

Stock vs. News coverage - they're two different types in most instances. In stock you're looking for a player alone, good face, decent action, ball in frame means nothing but nice to have - but let's face it when shooting stock American Football the lineman isn't getting the ball so waiting for him to grab it is pointless. However, stock you need images of as many as you can get so peak action and ball in frame are not always what they go after. News coverage they want the story of the game, that could be peak action, celebration, scene shots surrounding the game, faces of defeat, anything really that tells the story. Most stock guys do shoot the peak action as well, but surround it with stock shooting.

All other info is good. Knowing the darn sport is beyond important! Knowing what you're supposed to do on the sidelines, where to go, that it's about shooting and not socializing during game time, etc. on both youth and pro sidelines!

Emphasise the need to learn the relationship between ISO, aperture and shutter speed and, if you're not experienced enough to shoot in manual, the need to shoot in aperture priority while using ISO to keep your shutter speed high. Most people who're starting out tend to shoot in shutter priority and let their aperture sort itself out - it can kill your work if it suddenly gets bright and your aperture closes down. 'Av' all the way.

danaitch wrote in post #9266343
Emphasise the need to learn the relationship between ISO, aperture and shutter speed and, if you're not experienced enough to shoot in manual, the need to shoot in aperture priority while using ISO to keep your shutter speed high. Most people who're starting out tend to shoot in shutter priority and let their aperture sort itself out - it can kill your work if it suddenly gets bright and your aperture closes down. 'Av' all the way.

Most do start in TV for some reason I noticed - I was told to when starting but the guy I "learned" from was a complete idiot. Though it's "M" all the way and "AV" when conditions are changing rapidly

For outside sports: be prepared for the worst possible weather, protect your equipment...it will rain, it will snow, if you are miserable it will affect your performance...if your equipment short circuits, it will not take prized photos.

Always be aware of the rules. If you can put flash units in the rafters, do it...if flash is not allowed, know it.

For all sports...anticipate the action, you have to know the game and the players to do a good job. You can't just wait for stuff to happen.

Thank you very much!

I don't know if that 2 hours will be enough to talk about sport photography, and i want to focus on the most important points, can't include everything for just 2 hours.

I would add the following:

Build and maintain relationships with those in charge of the events and know the rules for shooting at the events.

Be mindful of the others who are also shooting the same event. Ex. Don't walk in front of other shooters, don't jump out of your spot to get a shot that you are not in position to capture. etc.

Get to the event early and know the logistics and layout of the facility.

Technical suggestions:

Shoot from a low angle.

Shoot tight, crop tighter.

Avoid shooting in a cross lit situation. Either shoot directly into the sun or with it directly at your back whenever possible.

You are welcome to check out my website and if you find a few photos you would like to use for your presentation, let me know which ones and I would be happy to share them with you. The link is in my signature.

Good luck.

Big K wrote in post #9267604
I would add the following:

Build and maintain relationships with those in charge of the events and know the rules for shooting at the events.

Be mindful of the others who are also shooting the same event. Ex. Don't walk in front of other shooters, don't jump out of your spot to get a shot that you are not in position to capture. etc.

Get to the event early and know the logistics and layout of the facility.

Technical suggestions:

Shoot from a low angle.

Shoot tight, crop tighter.

Avoid shooting in a cross lit situation. Either shoot directly into the sun or with it directly at your back whenever possible.

You are welcome to check out my website and if you find a few photos you would like to use for your presentation, let me know which ones and I would be happy to share them with you. The link is in my signature.

Good luck.

Thank you very much!