5 power tips for more exciting sports photos

Monday 27 January 2020, 16:32 by Huub Keulers | 7,346 views | 9 comments

This article was translated from Dutch with the help of AI. Read the original.

When I ask my workshop participants beforehand what they find most difficult about sports photography, I often hear: taking sharp photos. And yes, that is of course important in many situations, but you can also creatively work around this problem, as I will explain in photography tip 3.

However, a good sports photo depends on far more than just sharpness. Over all the years I have worked as a photographer in the world of sport, I have noticed that the more original and interesting sports photos are appreciated most.

I would like to share my experiences with you in this photography blog in 5 photography tips.

Photo taken from the roof of the press bus. Combined with the longer shutter speed, the photo comes to life. The runners passing closest to the lens will be the most blurred. Shutter speed ¼

1. Point of view

It may be obvious, but a considered point of view can make a world of difference. As a sports photographer, take a few steps to the left or right and see the effect through your viewfinder.

Whether you take your sports photos standing, sitting, kneeling or lying down can also make a big difference. Every point of view can have an immense effect on your sports photo.

Finding the right spot along the track, athletics track or in the sports hall is often the key to a successful sports photo. That is why I am often there early, or, if possible, visit the location a few days beforehand to look at the situation.

I then look for spots that could produce interesting photos. I imagine how and in what way the athlete will pass by. In a way, I 'play' an imaginary film in my head.

These spots can be on the inside or outside of a bend, or at a higher viewpoint. Always keep a close eye on your own safety and that of others.

It could just as well be a straight section of a race circuit with a nice, uncluttered background, for taking panning photos. Sponsor advertising or fans in the background can also produce an interesting photo. It all contributes to your image and helps you tell a good sports story.

Two worlds in one photo. The crowd is holding its breath. The blurred hurdles in the foreground lead the eye towards the kneeling hurdler. I had this image in my head beforehand, so I knew exactly where to stand
Oh yes, try to avoid the spots where lots of photographers are already standing from time to time. They will no longer produce unique images for you. For example, do not be afraid to take photos from the stands. Of course, you will not come home with the winning photo every time, but at least try to stand out from the rest occasionally.

Preparation is always key in all of this, though. I cannot say this often enough. Know the circuit, the track and the field. Ideally, know the sport or even a specific athlete too. It has helped me enormously.

2. Go wide-angle

Most sports photos are taken by most photographers with a telephoto lens. And yes, I use one regularly too, as sometimes you simply have no other choice. But every situation calls for different equipment. A wide-angle lens, for example, is a type of lens that can produce spectacular sports images.

Whether you are in the stands or at the edge of a motor racing circuit, taking photos from close by gives the viewer much more of a feeling of being in the middle of the action. This gives your sports photo much more impact and tension.

An additional advantage of a wide-angle lens is the great depth of field, even at F2.8 or F4. At F5.6 or F8, everything from front to back will certainly be nicely sharp in your photo. A good focal length for wide-angle shots is 20, 15 or even 12mm.

Here, safety, trust and a good reaction are very important. The BMX rider passed within a metre of my lens. Focal length: 20mm | Shutter speed: 1/1500 | f/5.6. Flash used

3. Longer shutter speeds

If you are not very good at taking sharp action photos, or your camera struggles with this, try extending the shutter speed. Use 1/30 or even 1/8 sec, for example, and make your sports photos more creative and artistic by showing a lot of movement.

You will create different photos and provide a different view of sport. You can do this with the panning technique or keep your camera still. Just give it a try.

An additional advantage of a longer shutter speed is that your ISO values remain low in poorer light conditions. If there is enough or even too much light, set an aperture of F16 or F22 and set your ISO value as low as possible. This way, you block out the large amount of available light. Or use an ND (Neutral Density) filter.

On the next lap of the race, I extended the shutter speed to 1/8. The difference in the motion effect compared to the photo above is clearly visible
If you are photographing a sport where using flash is allowed, do it. The flash, combined with a longer shutter speed, freezes part of the movement. This creates a very distinctive effect. Especially when you use second-curtain flash.

Always make sure that you never photograph the athlete directly from the front, as the flash may bother them. Some outdoor sports where flash is normally allowed include mountain biking, cycling and running.

But always ask the organisation and some of the athletes present beforehand. The fact remains: use your common sense. You will know when and under what circumstances you are getting in an athlete's way.

Or keep your camera still, so that you can see the movement even better. Because the cyclist passes at right angles to your camera lens, their speed relative to your camera is high. Shutter speed: 1/160, f/4.0

4. Show emotion

Sport is action, sport is telling a story, but sport is above all about emotion. A sports match with a smile, a tear or a celebration gains in tension and power. We all feel the sadness when we see a sports photo of a crying, disappointed athlete. Or, on the other hand, the joy when the athlete crosses the finish line as the winner.

Stand among the crowd and challenge the fans. You are guaranteed to get a reaction as a photographer
So do not focus solely on the athlete, but include the crowd or the coach in your photos too. Think about where emotion is most likely to be seen, and that is not just the finish line. It is essential that you focus on the athlete's face. Our face is simply the part of the body from which we read emotion best.

This triathlete's teammate suddenly died a few weeks before the race. Very distressing, but his teammates still took part in the triathlon as a tribute. So there was a good chance they would let their emotions run free at the finish. And see how 'happy' one of them was when he also achieved a personal best. “The last few kilometres were difficult, but my 'teammate' helped me to the finish”
If you want to show emotion, timing is also important. A fraction of a second too early or too late and you have a failed photo. So always stay alert to your surroundings and how the crowd, coach and athletes react. And do not forget that joy or disappointment almost always follows, especially behind the finish line, after the final whistle or after the decisive action.

The Belgian women's hockey team unexpectedly beat Germany and fall into each other's arms. They go completely wild straight after the final whistle. Keep photographing at moments like this. It produces beautiful and emotional images

5. Zoom in on detail

Unlike showing lots of information, such as in an overview photo, a zoomed-in photo shows detail. Details can produce compelling images of elements that others may not notice so quickly.

So do not just look at the whole scene unfolding in front of you. Or take a good look at your photos. There is a good chance that an attractive and interesting detail is hidden in one of them. It is often the small details that make the difference

The splashing gravel, combined with a low viewpoint and the right timing, gives this sports photo something extra. Focal length: 300mm, Shutter speed: 1/1000, f/ 2.8, ISO: 400

In conclusion

Photography is about looking, and above all seeing. So keep observing the world around you carefully. But also think beforehand about which photos you would like to take. Challenge yourself, make mistakes and keep trying. But do not settle for 'average' photos. You deserve exciting sports photos!

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