Photography Course

You can learn more about photography and develop your skills faster by spending some time shooting sports
events. It is a very demanding form of photography with a lot of conditions out of your control. Subject matter is constantly moving,
usually in unpredictable ways, and faster than normal activity.

Thus, it is best to start out with slower moving high school sports and then move up to college and professional levels. Try to cover
indoor and outdoor events to broaden your skills.

SOME GENERAL RULES:

Learn to be more assertive. This is crucial! Try to get as close as
you can to the subject matter without getting in the way of the fan’s view, or
intruding on the game. Don’t be afraid to move in, the worst that will happen is
an usher will ask you to return to your seat. However, if you look like you know
what you are doing and are doing your best to keep out of the way, they probably
won’t bother you. Know what the light will be before you go to the game. If
it is an indoor event, this is crucial since all manner of artificial lighting
is used and some is so bad you are better off using a flash. If you HAVE
to use a flash, make certain you are not aiming that flash into the player’s
eyes.

Do not get involved in the game. Keep quiet. Concentrate on getting
the best photo you can.

Don’t bug other photographers with questions
about exposure, etc. You must figure these concerns out yourself.

Do NOT
talk with any players or coaches. Players sometimes will bug you to take their
picture …. just smile and avoid conversations or the coach will do everything
he can to keep you from shooting anymore photos. You become a distraction to the
players - keeping them from concentrating on their game - and coaches hate
that.

Do NOT bring a tripod to any game. They are usually too big and bulky
and players can hurt themselves if they make contact. A monopod (one-legged
camera stick-support) is lightweight and easily moved.

If you have a motorized camera and can remove the
motor, or use manual shutter button, please start off avoiding the use of the
motor. There is a significant delay between the time you push the motor’s
shutter button and the actual time the exposure is made. If you shoot
without the motor the delay is reduced. The delay when shooting non-motor
is about 1/200th of a second. That may sound fast but, with fast moving
subjects, it is not…. and you need to learn how to compensate for the
delay. Learn to shoot an instant before the peak action. If you wait
until you SEE the peak action you will miss it. Using the motor’s shutter
button means an even longer delay and it will take you longer to time your
shooting.

PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT.

Finally, don’t overlook close-up, sideline pictures
of players and coaches. You can get some marvelous portraits of the
passion, pain, and energy of the game by keeping an eye on players not on the
field.

Now let’s head into the lessons on various sports events