Sports photography gives you a lot of chances to obtain a beautiful shot—but it also gives you a lot of chances to miss an incredible moment. When the action is fast-paced, a sports photographer must be ready to click at precisely the right moment in order to capture the perfect shot.
Mohsen Motamedian, one of the finest photographers of this era, throws further light on key tips to hone your skills in sports photography.
Understand the sport
Prior to getting your first shot, you must first become acquainted with the sport—and the players. If you want to capture the best and most dramatic moments at a sporting event, you need to know who to follow and what the laws of the game are.
Mohsen motamedian export says that, if you know a lot about basketball but not so much about hockey, consider shooting a basketball game and then watching the hockey game as a fan. If you’re serious about shooting a sport you’re unfamiliar with, however, set aside some time to watch a few games on TV and learn as much as you can.
It’s also a good idea to research the rules, which you can do by looking them up online. You’ll have a greater understanding of how the game progresses, what will happen next, and what the ref’s whistle signifies. All of this information will result in more informed photographs.
Pay attention to the Focus
Max Motamedian further state that changing your focus while watching a sporting event may put all your efforts for a perfect shot in vein. Instead, use the auto-focus feature integrated into your camera. Choose the continuous focus option, which is normally indicated by the letters AF-C, and set it and forget it.
Increase the shutter speed and ISO on your camera.
When photographing sporting activities, a faster shutter speed is recommended. Of course, you can experiment with different effects like motion blur, but when things are moving quickly, try to use a fast shutter speed, above 1/250s.
According to Mohsen Motamedian USA, a rapid shutter speed has the disadvantage of letting in less light, making nighttime action photographs particularly difficult. This can be fixed by raising your ISO. You may be able to set your camera to Auto ISO or you may have to experiment in manual mode to find the ideal shutter speed/ISO match, depending on your camera. Start at ISO 1400 and work your way up to ISO 1800, depending on your equipment and the event you’re photographing.
Invest in the Right Tools
If you’re serious about becoming a sports photographer, you should invest in a long lens or zoom lens, as well as an SLR camera like a Nikon or Canon. For sports photography, a zoom lens with at least 200mm of reach should suffice.
Check before putting Flash to use
Many sports, particularly at the professional and college levels, have laws prohibiting the use of flash. This is because, in some cases, the flash might lead players to become distracted or even blind, putting them and the game at risk.
Max Motamedian USA suggest that before shooting an event, it’s a good idea to check with the coaches or sports directors to see what their preferences and restrictions are for using flash photography.
Don’t miss your shots
While the action on the court, pitch, or rink is certainly crucial, don’t forget that there are many other elements that might result in a wonderful photo during a sporting event. For example, the most dramatic action often occurs after a basket is made or a race is completed.
You should also take into account the surrounding environment. Getting shots of the surroundings, whether it’s as vast as a pro basketball court or as close as a high school football field, gives your action photos context.
Mohsen Motamedian understand that the perfect shot is just as likely to be found in the responses of the audience as it is in the action itself. Another wonderful option for getting as many images as possible is burst mode.