| Many photographers spend ages looking for | | | | 6. Focus |
| inspiration for a subject to photograph. However with | | | | If you camera has a servo mode focusing mode |
| sports photography this changes to being very | | | | then set the camera to that, especially for track |
| technically adept and trying to capture the decisive | | | | events. Otherwise consider prefocusing at a certain |
| moment that shows the effort and emotion that | | | | point and taking the picture at the appropriate |
| goes into the physical struggle to be first past the | | | | moment. In automatic focusing mode try tracking the |
| line and the beating or peers. The 12 guidelines here | | | | target prior to taking the picture to allow the camera |
| will help you improve your sports photography. | | | | time to focus rather than just pressing the shutter |
| 1. Get a long lens | | | | release then waiting until the lens focuses before the |
| You will need a telephoto lens for most events, a | | | | photograph is taken. |
| 400mm focal length lens is common amongst most | | | | 7. Get a monopod |
| professional photographers. Try to get a lens with | | | | As you are using a long lens the slightest camera |
| the largest aperture possible to get the most light | | | | movement is exaggerated. Monopods will enable you |
| into the camera. You can buy lenses that can cost | | | | to steady the camera to help prevent camera shake |
| the same amount as a new car, buy one that suits | | | | blur. Most people will have a tripod however these |
| your budget or consider renting one for the event. | | | | tend to be impracticable. |
| 2. Use a camera with a good frame rate. | | | | 8. If In Doubt - Shoot |
| For most events you will want a camera with a good | | | | It costs nothing to take a digital picture unlike |
| frame burst rate so when the moment you wish to | | | | traditional film. If in doubt take the picture, you can |
| capture arrives you just hold the shutter release | | | | always discard the images later but you just might |
| down and take a sequence of pictures. The | | | | get the photograph of the match. |
| difference of just half a second can be incredible. If | | | | 9. Respect the Officials and Athletes |
| you take a high jumper for example the time | | | | The event you are photographing is for the athletes |
| between leaving the ground and landing the other | | | | not for you. Show the athletes the respect they |
| side of the bar can be less than a second. By having | | | | deserve and also obey any instructions the officials |
| a high frame rate you should be able to catch the | | | | might have. You want to build up a reputation as an |
| image where the jumper arches their back over the | | | | amiable photographer that helps publicize the event, |
| bar. | | | | not someone who is a pain in the &*(). |
| 3. Think about location. | | | | 10. Make Sure You Have |
| Firstly, get accreditation so you are able to wander | | | | Spare batteries, memory cards, lens cleaning material, |
| round the ground. But make sure you are aware you | | | | clothing and equipment if it starts to rain or sun block |
| can and cant go. Certain events, especially the | | | | for you if it is hot and sunny and lots of business |
| throwing events such as hammer, discus, shot and | | | | cards. The list really is endless, but remember also |
| javelin will have certain safety requirements that you | | | | that you will have to carry the equipment around |
| must be aware of for your own and others safety. | | | | with you. |
| Being hit by a javelin is one sure way of spoiling the | | | | 11. Know who is competing |
| rest of your days photography. If in doubt follow the | | | | It helps if you are familiar with the subject you are |
| other professionals arround, but remember the | | | | shooting. If you are keen on athletics you will |
| photographers etiquette of not standing in front of | | | | probably know who the stars are and who is likely to |
| another photographer. There are certain places that | | | | be worthy of photographing. Knowing who is likely to |
| are common to stand, such as the track towards the | | | | cross the line first makes life a lot easier by |
| end of the 100m or about 10m back from the sand | | | | positioning yourself at the appropriate location. Most |
| for the long jump. If you are looking for more | | | | track and field events are undertaken at the same |
| creative rather than commercial work you will no | | | | time so you can't cover both the field events and |
| doubt want to think about other locations. | | | | the track events. get a program from the event |
| 4. Go fast for shutter speeds. | | | | organiser showing the times and participants in the |
| Remember you are catching action shots of things | | | | events. |
| moving rather quickly. You will therefore need a fast | | | | 12. Expect the Unexpected |
| shutter speed to capture the moment so it produces | | | | Have your wits about you. Be prepared to rapidly |
| a sharp image. Typically think of using a speed of at | | | | change what you are shooting, the expression on |
| least 1/320th of a second. Certain events where | | | | someones face when they realise they have broken |
| there is a large amount of movement will need faster | | | | a record, the hurdler who catches a hurdle with their |
| shutter speeds. | | | | foot and goes flying, the discus thrower who trips |
| 5. ISO speed | | | | and falls out of the circle. You will find that there is |
| Use the minimum iso speed that allows you to use | | | | so much going on that you won't be able to take |
| the shutter speed you need with the maximum | | | | everything in. The crowd however is good at alerting |
| aperture you have. Unless its a day where clouds are | | | | you to something significant is happening. |
| moving quickly in front of the sun changing the | | | | Using these 12 guidelines you will find that your |
| exposure conditions consider putting the camera to | | | | success rate in capturing the moment are greatly |
| manual. ASA 400 is probably the slowest film speed | | | | improved and hopefully with that your enjoyment |
| setting, with 800 and 1000 iso fairly common. | | | | and possibly profit. |