Beginners Guide to Sports Photography

Especially if you’re a fan, sports photography could be fun and fulfilling to get into. But if you’re just at the onset of this endeavor with very little knowledge, things can be quite challenging. In this article, we share the a beginners guide to sports photography.

So if you’ve decided to go all-in, here are some beginner tips you can use to better your craft. Hopefully, these ideas can be a good kick-off, as you delve deeper into this new venture.

Tip #1: Familiarize yourself with the sport

At the very least, you must know the rules of the game to be able to understand what shots to look for. Sure, it would be great to capture the perfect image of a three-point shot in basketball, but it would be better to take a snap of players drawing up a play.

Being familiar with the rules of the game allows you to tell a more in-depth story of what’s happening between its participants. Read up on how things run or watch more of these events to have a better understanding of how things work.

Tip #2: Go beyond the game

This tip kind of veers away from the previous one, as it centers more on telling a more in-depth story of human interest. Many other fascinating things are going on outside of the playing field.

Perhaps a fan is looking distressed because his team is down by ten points. Or a fighter’s wife is left in awe after her husband just scored an epic, highlight-reel knockout victory.

It’s alright to take yourself away from the action from time to time to have a good look at what’s happening around you. You’ll be surprised with the images you’ll find and the stories you’ll be able to tell through them.

Tip #3: Strategize your shooting positions

Photographers do have a designated area in a sports playing field, but it would still be best to position yourself at the best possible spot. Making these little adjustments opens you up to angles may very well render the perfect shot you can be proud of.

This applies best in sporting events held in a field, like a track meet. Find an open spot around towards the curve of the course to be able to capture the competitors as they approach head-on.

Tip #4: Make it about the face

It is crucial to capture an athlete’s face in the middle of the competition, as it can very much humanize the image. Sure, a wide-angled shot may work, but a close-up of their mugs creates a better connection to the subject.

This tip piggybacks from the previous one, where shooting position plays a significant role. Find yourself that perfect shot, and along with the power of your lens, you’ll get a better chance to capture a shot of an athlete and their full facial expressions.

Tip #5: Be considerate towards game officials and coaches

This tip is probably the most important yet least addressed one in sports photography. Remember that the media pass given to you is a privilege and not a right, and you must treat it as such.

Make sure to not stand in the way of presiding referees or be in the face of a coach to get that perfect shot. Nobody likes an obnoxious shutterbug.

Keep these tips in mind as you begin your dive into sports photography, and you can be guaranteed to have a satisfying experience. If you have any more ideas or tips to add on to the beginners guide to sports photography, share them down below.