| Victory in sports is about practice and | | | | game. You're there to take a great photograph or |
| performance - the best athletes prepare better | | | | two. Keep your camera in your hands, with a |
| than anyone else, training their bodies and minds | | | | clean lens, the right lenses close at hand, and |
| to perform when winning and losing matter most. | | | | make sure your battery is fully charged. |
| It's no different with sports photography. Those | | | | Also, pay attention to weather conditions. Just |
| one-of-a-kind photos you see don't happen by | | | | because it's raining doesn't mean you can't take |
| accident, or just because the photographer was in | | | | great photos. In fact, the drama may be |
| "the right place, at the right time." | | | | increased by the presence of water on the field. |
| If you're serious about sports photography, then | | | | If it's going to be a bright sunny day and your |
| you need to do more than show up a sporting | | | | daughter's soccer game is at 7:30 on a Saturday |
| event with a camera. You might luck into a nice | | | | morning, then you'll want to make sure you |
| photo people will compliment you on, but if you | | | | account for both the glare of the sun and the glint |
| take these tips to heart, you can rest assured | | | | of dew that's sure to be on the fields. |
| you'll take great photo after great photo. | | | | Tip number 4: Know your equipment. Of course, |
| Tip number 1: Know your sport. I mean that | | | | in order to be prepared, you need to know what |
| literally. If you are going to photograph a sporting | | | | your camera can and can't do. The last place you |
| event, you have to understand the strategy well | | | | want to become familiar with your equipment is |
| enough that you consider it your sport. That | | | | at the sporting event you paid $100 to get into, |
| doesn't mean you have to play it or even know | | | | or at your daughter's TaeKwonDo National |
| all the rules, but you must know what the point | | | | Championship competition. If you have relatives or |
| of the game is, as well as what is considered | | | | friends who play on sports teams, ask if you can |
| excellent performance. | | | | take pictures of their events. It will be good |
| For example, in ice hockey, a player on the | | | | practice for you, and they will love to see the |
| offense who is near the goal will sometimes pass | | | | pictures you take. |
| the puck away from the goal and into what is | | | | If you don't already have a SLR camera with a |
| seemingly empty space. To someone unfamiliar | | | | telephoto lens, I recommend you get one. A point |
| with the sport, it looks as if that's a mistake. But | | | | and shoot camera is good for portrait shots |
| in reality the player is passing to empty space | | | | before and after the game, not fast moving |
| knowing that his teammate is going to time his | | | | action. And don't be too intimidated by SLRs or |
| skate to meet the pass, and take a shot on goal. | | | | telephoto lenses. They behave much the same |
| It all happens in the blink of an eye, but if you | | | | way as point and shoots do when you set them |
| have your camera trained on the momentarily | | | | on fully automatic. But you gain a lot of flexibility |
| "empty" space, you have a good chance of | | | | that point and shoot cameras simply don't have. |
| catching the instant the player strikes the puck | | | | Tip number 5: Location, location, location and |
| with his stick. Or you could focus on the goalie | | | | timing, timing, timing. These are the two most |
| knowing that a shot is coming. | | | | important things to keep in mind in sports |
| Tip number 2: Focus on the players that will give | | | | photography, and they cannot be separated. You |
| you the best photo. A lot goes on during a game. | | | | have to be in the right place at the right time in |
| There are a lot of great pictures that you'll | | | | order to get a truly great sports photograph. And |
| probably miss. Focus on getting the best shot you | | | | it doesn't have anything to do with luck. If your |
| can in any particular moment, and don't worry | | | | son's high school football team is marching down |
| about the ones you missed. During a tennis | | | | the field for a touchdown, then don't get so |
| match, take time to focus on one player's serve. | | | | caught up in the game that you forget to rush to |
| Then, switch your attention to the other players | | | | the back of the end zone. From there, you can |
| return. Very quickly, you will find yourself | | | | get the perfect shot of a receiver catching a |
| becoming a part of the rhythm of the game. And | | | | touchdown pass or a fullback barreling into the |
| once you reach that point, you'll see opportunities | | | | end zone. |
| as appear. | | | | Don't be shy about getting into position, either. I'm |
| While photographing a high school basketball game, | | | | not recommending you sneak onto the sidelines |
| I focused on the best player on each team. Now, | | | | during the Super Bowl and risk arrest. But at |
| I knew that other players would make great | | | | many events, if you ask politely and explain what |
| shots, but I also knew that teammates would | | | | you're doing, officials will let you on the sidelines. |
| look to both of these players. When the ball came | | | | Also, you can check ahead to see if you can get |
| to them, I took pictures. When they passed the | | | | a sideline pass. They aren't reserved solely for the |
| ball, I took pictures. I avoided getting too | | | | media. It's good to check well before the event, |
| distracted by other action. Both of these players | | | | but if you can't, try asking at the ticket office |
| went on to be stars in college, one of them | | | | when you arrive. After all, the worst they can do |
| played in the NBA, and I got some great shots | | | | is say no! |
| that night. | | | | Sports stir the soul - for millions of fans, watching |
| Tip number 3: Be prepared. When those | | | | their favorite teams fight for victory, even if |
| opportunities for the "money" shot do appear, | | | | they end up in defeat, inspires them in their |
| don't get caught unprepared. I've known | | | | day-to-day lives. Your photos can have a similar |
| photographers who've forgotten to take their lens | | | | impact. |
| caps off and missed something great. Or, they | | | | Imagine a parent's delight when you present them |
| may not have changed their ISO setting from the | | | | with a picture of their child scoring a touchdown |
| last time they used their camera. If you want to | | | | or goal ... imagine your lasting memories when you |
| manually control the settings, then be sure to | | | | take a picture of your own child's moments of |
| take your camera off automatic so the flash | | | | glory. It will affirm their dedication - and yours - |
| doesn't pop up when you least want it to. | | | | and inspire you both for many years to come. |
| Remember, you're not just there to watch the | | | | |