Shooting Fast-Moving Sports Action
Sunday, June 1, 2008 @ 02:17
The key to successfully shooting fast moving sports action is to know a bit about the sport before you try. You need to be able to anticipate when key moves are going to occur in order to be able to capture them. If you don't know anything about the sport, you won't have a feel for this sort of thing.
You may also want to consider buying a telephoto lens, a 300mm, 400mm or even longer, because sometimes you just can't get close to the action, either because of security or safety considerations. If you are too close for a long lens, well ... there is certainly no rule against backing up. So go with the longest lens you can.
Next, if you really want to become proficient at photographing a certain high action sport, don't be afraid to ask for advice. Hook up with someone who is already doing good work in the field and see if you can "assist" him in return for soaking up his knowledge. You'd be surprised at how many people will jump at the chance of getting a free camera jockey and will gladly give them some pointers along the way in return. Remember, people really like showing off their knowledge it's human nature. Approach them in the right way and you could acquire for yourself some of the best tutors in the business.
Learn to work with the available conditions. Unfortunately, fast moving sports photography doesn't always come with perfect conditions. Never stop learning about your gear and how to adapt it to prevailing conditions. If the light is limited, then learn how to best work with what's available, by shooting from different angles and changing various camera settings to compensate for low light. The truly expert photographers don't necessarily have the most expensive equipment, but rather they have the knowledge to make the equipment they do own work best for them.
Never stop moving around. Action sports are just that; filled with action. Therefore, in order to capture the best shots, you're going to have to move around as well. So always stay on the move, trail your subject and you will increase your odds of getting the best shots, every single time.
