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Sports And Fast-Action Photography
Tips & techniques for photographing subjects in motion
Photographing athletes in action is one of the most challenging tasks in
photography. The fact that the subject(s) is moving and is usually some distance
away from the camera requires the use of a fast shutter speed along with a long
zoom
lens - a combination that typically doesn't produce a proper
exposure.
 There are several things you can do to ensure that you get decent action photos
however:
- If you can afford one, you can buy one of the "fast" long zoom lenses on the
market that are made specifically for sports photography. But be prepared... the
good ones are very expensive, often costing several times the cost of your
camera.
- If you can get close enough to the action (for example right behind the end
zone, home plate, or the basketball goal), you can use a powerful external flash
to "freeze" the action and capture an image that isn't blurred.
- If your camera supports shooting in the "RAW" format, you can use a faster
shutter speed that freezes the action and then adjust for the under-exposure
later during the
post-processing phase.
- If possible, use a
tripod to steady the camera so that the only motion involved in the
photographic process is that of the athlete(s). If you're photographing a sport
such as track & field or auto racing where you'll need to be able to quickly change
positions, a
monopod will provide much of the stability of a tripod while allowing for
fast and easy movement.
- Anticipate where the action is going to be and pre-focus on that spot. Then,
when the
subject(s) moves into that general area, simply make a quick final adjustment to
the direction of the lens and snap the picture.
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