How to Photograph Golf, Track & Field and More (Page 2 of 2)

From spring through late fall, an assortment of track and field events take place in many parts of the world. Events from your local marathon to major league, college and even high school sporting events are welcome fodder for the action sports photographer. Some examples of these types of outdoor sports include:

· Marathons, Ultra-marathons and half-marathons

· Cross Country

· Sprints, relays and Hurdles

· Pole Vault, long jump and high jump

Track and Field Photography Tips: For events in which competitors go up, focus on the cross bar or landing areas to get digital images at peaks in the action. Even a closely-framed digital image of a “frozen” high jumper or pole vaulter in the air will convey a strong sense of movement. Zoom in for facial expressions when possible too. Use a wider aperture (f5.6 or wider) and high shutter speed (1/500th or 1/1000th second) to aid in “stopping” excessive motion in the shot.

Depending on where you live, you may also be privy to some added kinds of sporting events during the course of the year. These can also provide plenty of subject material for sports action photography. For races on circular, oval or curved raceways, remember to position yourself at or near a turn or curve where the pace of the action can radically change. It’s easier to get well-focused still shots as the action can be headed towards or away from you, effectively “slowing” the relative speed of whatever animal-based event you’re photographing.

· Horse Racing

· Steeplechase

· Dog racing

· Camel races

· Elephant races

· Bullfights

· Rodeos

Photo Shooting Tip: When shooting animal-based sporting or racing events, you’ll almost certainly need to set a very fast shutter speed (1/500th or 1/1000th second or faster) to help “stop” or “freeze” the action. If you’re photographing a particular animal and rider, you should use as a wide an aperture (f8, f4 or f5.6 or wider) as you have and worry less about the depth of field a smaller aperture would offer. When shooting multiple competitors however, you’ll definitely want to “stop down” using the smallest aperture you think you can get away with (f11 or f16). Be sure to try to time the shot at an action peak – the apex of a jump or a change of direction or motion – to help “stop” or “freeze” the action for sharper, clearer digital images.

What are you waiting for? With such a plethora of photo opportunities during the warmer months, you should be out there as often as possible getting your fair share of outdoor sports photographs. So point, shoot and smile.