How to Photograph Golf, Track & Field and More

There are quite a number of activities which fall under the realm of outdoor action sports you might consider for getting some attention-grabbing digital images which make viewers feel like they are actually there witnessing the event live. One of the USA’s top sports is golf, with more than $60 billion being spent on golf-related items each year by some 57 million professional and amateur golfers alike. As soon as the last frost lifts, many of the world’s 30,730 golf courses open and greens are trampled hordes of “duffers” every weekend and holiday. Golf is indeed a lucrative market in many respects.

Golf Photo Shooting Tips: When hitting the links for golf action digital photography, remember to respect the golfers, professionals or not. Most players take their game quite seriously so using the following golf shooting tips will help you show them proper respect and avoid any interference of their game. Remember, in golf photography, position is everything.

· If you can turn off the sound of your camera you should do so.

· Use a telephoto lens to keep well away from the golfers and avoid spoiling their concentration.

· Use a lens hood to help minimize any possible sun flare or reflection off your camera lens.

· Don’t move or distract players in any way, especially when they are about to tee off, putt or take a shot.

· Use a wide aperture (f5.6 or more) and tight depth of field to focus on one competitor

· Stay low for short game golf shots like pitching and putting.

· Time your camera settings to catch the beginning or end of the golfer’s swing.

· For good putting digital images, position yourself behind or to one side of the golfer with the hole flag in view, you can also position yourself with the flagged hole in the foreground and the golfer behind if using a telephoto lens.

· Best golf action shot positions are at hole tee-off points or near the greens and flagged hole.

As a sports photographer, you might also want to consider other outdoor action sports such as:

· Car racing (F-1, Stock cars, Funny cars, Monster Trucks and Hot Rods)

· Motorcycle racing

· Motor Cross

· Roller Skating

· Bicycle Races and Tours

· Beach Volleyball

· Airplane Races and stunt flying

Outdoor Sports Photography Tips: As with most sports, your knowledge of the rules and action will help to determine how well you can anticipate the action to get the best position for getting great action shots. During any competition NEVER use a flash, as this not only may cause the performer or athlete a problem but could easily get you thrown out of the event by officials, event staff, or fans. Always respect the concentration and performance of the athletes and competitors.

Note: Remember to “move your body” when photographing outdoor action sports. Don’t just shoot standing up. Wear jeans, sneakers or other comfortable clothes so you can bend, kneel, squat, lie down, twist, turn, sit on the ground (or other surface) crouch, climb and otherwise alter your height and shooting angle of the subject or action.

For tips and tricks on how to take the best track and field photos, as well as other outdoors sports events, please continue on to page two.