Are you an inspiring photographer with a keen interest in learning how to photograph sports portraits in action? Live sports photography is a challenging genre. Capturing fast-paced actions can be an exciting and demanding endeavor.
Generally, sports photography requires careful planning, technique, and high-quality equipment. In this article, I’m going to show you how to shoot live sports photographs, even if you are a beginner without prior experience in photography.
Quick camera settings to shoot sports portraits in action
Here is a quick camera setting you can begin with:
1. Shutter speed
Start with a faster shutter speed, such as 1/1000th of a second or higher, depending on the speed of the event and the level of motion you’d like to freeze.
2. Aperture
Use a wide aperture like f/2.8 or f/4 to achieve a bokeh effect and isolate the subject from the background.
3. ISO
You will need to raise your ISO to complement the higher shutter speed and wider aperture. So, you can begin with ISO 800.
4. Focus mode
Set your camera to continuous autofocus (AI-Servo or AF-C) to track the moving subjects and maintain sharp focus.
5. Drive mode
Also, set your camera to burst mode or continuous shooting. This will allow you to capture multiple frames during the action, increasing your chances of getting the perfect shots.
6. Shoot in JPEG
Shoot in JPEG to save up your memory space. When doing sports photography, you will have a lot of actions to capture, so you can’t afford to shoot RAW images.
How To Shoot Sports Portraits In Action?
Having stated the quick camera settings, how can you shoot live shorts portraits? Anyone with the right equipment and determination can shoot attractive live sports photographs.
Here are some expert tips to help you capture stunning sports portraits in action.
1. Research, plan, and prepare
Yes, you must research the nature of the sports event you want to cover. Different sports have different rules, key moments, venues, and levels of action. For instance, Motorsport features more breathtaking, fast-paced actions than Football.
You cannot photograph motorsports actions the same way you will capture footballers playing on the pitch. Different sports require unique settings and approaches. Therefore, decide on the sports you want to photograph and familiarize yourself with the rules and key moments. This will help you to determine the right equipment and what camera settings to start with.
2. Get the right equipment
Ultimately, the right equipment will depend on the sports. But generally, you will need the following for live sports photography:
- A solid digital camera like the Sony A9II.
- A lens with a focal length of around 70-200mm or more.
- A lens hood
- Rain cover
- Lens cleaning kit
- Extra memory cards and batteries
- A sturdy tripod or monopod
- An external flash
- A sturdy backpack, etc.
3. Find a good spot at the venue
Next, ensure you arrive at the venue (stadium) early and find a good spot or angle where you can have a nice view of the whole arena. You may consider trying several elevated grounds to find the best for you.
4. Rightly optimize your camera setting
Yes, the quality of the pictures will be determined by the standard of your camera and other equipment. But regardless of the grade of your tools, a bad camera setting can spoil your live sports photography experience.
So, ensure you set your camera accordingly. When setting your camera, consider the intensity of the ambient light, the players, and the kind of sports portraits you want to capture. If you are confused about what settings to begin with, you can follow our recommended quick settings above and adjust accordingly.
5. Have a specific goal
Additionally, formulate a plan. Decide on the kind of key moments you want to photograph. It could be the moment a player wants to take a shot, a turn, or a catch. Similarly, decide on the players and team you’d like to focus on. This way, you can be sure of getting nice action shots.
6. Avoid distractions and anticipate the action
Put away your smartphone and focus solely on the action. Also, ensure you find a spot away from the fans. This way, you can avoid getting distracted by their cheers.
Furthermore, anticipate the actions. For instance, in a game of football (soccer), there’s a probability that a striker will take a shot when he gets into the penalty area, and there’s a high chance that the goalkeeper will dive to catch the ball.
These two instances are key moments in the game and would make for great action portraits. So, study the patterns of the game and get ready to capture the breathtaking moments.
7. Capture emotions and expressions
Live sports photography goes beyond capturing physical movements; it also involves recording the emotions and reactions of the players, coaches, and fans. So keep an eye out for compelling facial expressions, gestures, or moments of triumph or defeat that can add storytelling elements to the sports portraits.
8. Try shooting from different angles
Consider shooting from different angles to add variety and visual interest to the images. You can try recording the moments from a higher or lower vantage point.
9. Pay attention to composition
Yes, you must apply the rules of composition if you want to capture stunning sports portraits. So, consider looking for interesting angles, leading lines, and visually interesting elements that can add depth and context to the action photos.
10. Don’t hate yourself if you miss a shot
Yes, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with missing a key moment. The most important thing is not to give up-keep shooting. There are a lot of key moments in sports. If you miss one, anticipate the next one. Finally, do not be afraid to try new settings, techniques, and shooting angles.