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Sports Photography

Usually, a basic point and shoot camera can be used for good photos of sports. However, if a single lens reflex (SLR) camera is used, the best results can be expected. Such a single lens reflex camera is slightly costly, but it permits the photographer to have more control over the setting. Such flexibility is essential to stand up to the challenges of this genre of photography.

It is recommended to adhere to the following settings, if it is possible in your camera.

• Some negative exposure value (EV): This prevents blowing out of white jerseys. However, it should not be more than -1.0
• Aperture priority (generally wide open)
• Center weighted metering
• Locking the center focus sensor
• Continuous servo auto focus

Use of SLR in Sports Photography

An SLR offers a photographer with many features in the lenses as well as the camera. It is advisable not to use the program modes. These are also called as fully automatic modes.

When the camera has aperture or shutter priority modes, the photographer must become conversant about how they generally work and the method to use them while shooting various subjects. Aperture Priority means that the photographer picks the aperture and the camera decides the shutter speed. Shutter Priority implies that the photographer picks the shutter speed and the camera figures out which aperture must be used.

Let us assume that apertures like f/4 and f/2.8 are used. The result is a faster shutter speed. As there is shallower depth of field, the subject gets isolated from the remaining objects in the photo.

While capturing small kids in action, 1/250s or 1/125s is recommended. In case of faster athletes, the absolute minimum is 1/250. If the photographer can use 1/1000, the photographer can freeze the subject like stone.

Highlights of Photography in Sports

Lens Speed

The photographer can use a faster shutter speed depending on how fast the lens is. This significance of this point increases as the lens grows longer. It is generally observed in an NFL football game, that the people have really big lenses.

These lenses are from 300 to 600 mm or even longer. These might have a 1.4X converter or 2X converter or more. If long lenses are used and the photographer wishes to freeze action, there is a need of faster shutter speeds.

Camera

Let us consider that a photographer is using a 35 mm camera. Now, each 100 mm in the focal length of the lens covers approximately 10 yards i.e. 9 meters. This coverage implies that if a vertical format photo is chosen, a normal human would fill the frame of the photo.

If a photographer is using a 300 mm lens for an American Football game, then he/she can get tight shots from the goal line to mid field up to 40 yards.

Lens Length

Different lens length is recommended for varying sports. As an example, let us consider basketball. This sport is usually shot from the baseline or sideline close to the baseline. In this situation, good photos can be obtained with an 85 mm lens. If the players are at mid court, 135 mm is required. When the players are under the far goal, then 200 to 300 mm is essential.