At first glance, it may seem that sports photography has the same features and techniques as any other type of photography. However, the profession of sports photographer requires a whole different bunch of skills. Here are the main features that make sports photography unique and some tips on how to become a real sports photographer.
First of all, a sports photographer must react as fast as the players. A secret to a good sports photography is to capture the most important moments of the events. To do that, a sports photographer has to react quickly to the changing situation on the stadium, field or pitch.
Another characteristic feature of sports photography is that real sports photographers should understand the game and have knowledge of individual players’ styles. Without this understanding, it would be very difficult for the photographer to capture and express the emotional component and drive of the game on the photo. To understand all the specific features of sports photography, it is necessary to learn from examples of good photos. For instance, good sports photos can be viewed at SportsAdda portal. You’ll know good sports photography when you see one: it always provides an expression of the moments it captures and creates a feeling of presence on the sports event it depicts.
Moreover, every sport has specific features that may make sports photography more challenging. For example, arena lighting, helmets and face masks make hockey photography challenging. That is why it is crucially important for a good spots photographer to know and understand the game.
The aforementioned things allow the photographer to choose the right spot, which is of paramount importance. This spot should allow capturing the events from a correct angle. It means that a good photographer has to think strategically and predict what parts of the pitch will require the most attention. Also, a correct position allows the photographer to capture the main elements that are obligatory for sports photography. Good sports photography has such key elements as player, ball, target, tension, setting, color, and other key elements, all included in an interesting, uncluttered composition. To achieve this, the right spot is obligatory.
Without any doubt, the profession of the sports events photo reporter requires specific gear. The professional sports photographer has numerous advantages over the average picture-taker, not the least of which is equipment selection. Generally, most photographers who make their living from shooting sports use expensive, top-of-the-line 35 mm SLR cameras equipped with fast, super-long telephoto lenses that bring them close to the action.
However, equipment is also determined by the professional level of the photographer. Pros will always work with more sophisticated, but also more difficult equipment in use. At the same time, beginners will need more simple, but not so demanding gear.
In general, it is highly recommended to start with 200 mm to capture every sport moment as precisely as possible. Such lenses are especially useful during the local sports events, where you can place yourself as close to the action as you can. By doing so, you will be able to shoot a moment without losing any details of it. Also, after all that, you can always compare your photos with the professional ones. Never forget to learn from more experienced photographers.
As a conclusion, good sports photography should have it all: a correct position, the right moment to take a photo, and a specific gear to achieve the best results. Most importantly, sports photography requires knowledge and understanding of the game, as well as the readiness to learn.
