How to Take Action Photography

Taking action shots is far more challenging than taking photos of subjects that are standing still or not moving much. You have to know exactly where and when to take the photo. This involves more than just following the action of the game or activity; you often have to think ahead so you can respond almost before the action happens. These steps will help you capture action with your camera.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• SLR film or digital camera
• Long lenses
• Film (if using a film camera)
• Computer and editing software
• Monopod or tripod.

1. Set your camera for the fastest shutter speed you can. When outdoors in daylight, this is not a problem, but with indoor sports you will have to settle for shallow depth of field or grainier film. The higher the ISO rating, the faster the film is, and the grainier it will be. This applies to digital cameras as well; you can set the ISO rating even without using film and the picture quality will be similar.

2. Get a long, fast lens. The lenses that came with your camera won't let you get close enough to the action. For most games played outdoors, you'll need a 300mm lens.

3. Anticipate the action and pre-focus. If there's going to be a play at home plate, get in position and focus, then wait. Similarly, you can focus on a soccer goal (or goalie), the end zone or the basket.

4. Consider getting a shot of players that aren't involved in the play, coaches, cheerleaders or fans. Often the story of a game can be told in the reactions of others that are watching the game, such as a dejected look of a cheerleader or a fan that's spilling his beer because he's jumping out of his seat.

5. Press the shutter a moment before the play happens. It takes a fraction of a second for the camera to take the photo; if you wait until the catcher tags the guy sliding into home you'll end up with a photo of the moment after the tag. With digital cameras, you may have to allow even more time. If you have a film camera, consider getting a motor and setting it for continuous shots--you're bound to get the one you need. (This uses a lot of film, however, which can be expensive.)

6. Practice panning. For sports that involve cars or people whizzing by, press the shutter just before the subject is where you want it to be and then swing the camera to follow the subject as it passes. You will get a shot of an in-focus subject against a blurry background.

7. Consider using video mode and isolating the shot you want using your computer.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep both eyes open. Look through the viewfinder with one eye and watch the action with the other eye. If this is too difficult, hold the camera just under your eyes and, when you see something you want to shoot, raise the camera without taking your eyes off the action.
• Sometimes you see something happening but don't know what it is. If you wait to figure it out, everything may be over before you pick up your camera. Instead, start taking photos right away.
• Decide which lenses are essential and consider getting a camera body for each one. It's easier to pick up another camera that's already loaded with film and set correctly than to change lenses.
• Don't put yourself in harm's way just to get a great photo. If you get hit by a linebacker running into the sidelines, the person with the great photo is going to be the guy that took the one of you getting rundown and no doubt knocked off your feet.

Resources

• For great advice from a professional sports photographer, visit Astropix.