Many would agree that sports photography is probably the most exciting—not to mention the most difficult—of all the practices of lens work today. Aside from the fact that it hones the skills of the photographer in taking moving shots, action or sports photography can also serve as a motivation for a person to get into any type of sports there is.
Nevertheless, before you get into this type of photography, you should be prepared with all the works that you will have to face along the way. Sports photography usually include shots taken during the game or while the subjects are in their respective field, it is a must that the photographer must be able to “freeze” moments during the actual event. This is why sports photographers should be equipped with the right photography equipment, trained with enduring tenacity, and fueled with an overwhelming desire to capture each moment and emotion at their best.
Another thing that one should look out for in this type of photography is that it involves so much speed and action, photographing the subjects or players would require more than the usual knack for good angles but also the strength to endure physical limitations during the shoot.
Getting motivated to different sports by taking moving shots
Most photographers would agree that it is inevitable to get motivated to get into any sports if you are an action photographer. This is because you have so much exposure in the different fields and you might want to feel the triumph or defeat any athlete goes through.
Many would agree that the best thing about sports photography is that the photographer—aside from enhancing a skill such as freezing a single moment that contains pure and raw emotion and share it with the public in print—is that he or she become motivated to get into sports.
Most people who get into action photography are motivated to get into a particular sport because of the exposure on the sports themselves. If you are into photography and quite interested in taking adrenaline-pumping shots, you should familiarize yourself with different kinds of sports first. Since each sport varies, the styles and techniques used in capturing and freezing each moment also vary.
If you are already in the field taking photos, it is necessary that you have a brief background about the sport you are covering. Knowledge in the fundamentals of coaching style, sport rules, and players will help you identify their most interesting angles. It is also a must to identify your “safety” (a shot that is easy to shoot and can be published if you don’t get good photos all throughout).
The basic sports that photographer use as a motivation include baseball, basketball, football, soccer and hockey, volleyball, golf, track and field, gymnastics and figure skating, and motorsports and other racing events.
More often than not, the people who use action photography as a motivation to sports are already seasoned photographers. Because of their dedication to their craft, a part of them would want to partake on what’s going on. Although this is true, it does not mean that newbies could not try. If you are one of those people, always remember that if you will be using action photography as a motivation to sports, you should prepare yourself to the strict guidelines needed in order to be a successful sports photographer.
