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Jim Bryant on Sports Photography
Continued...
For most of my sports photography, I try to find a clean background when shooting. If that's not possible, I'll use my lowest f-stop to blur out the distracting background.
In addition to you camera equipment, take with you:
A radio. Listening to the broadcast of the game while you work will give you a play-by-play account so you can understand exactly what is going on. A pen and pad to take notes with.
Get to the ballpark early:
To get a close up parking space,
To get the starting lineups of each team.
To pick a good shooting position.
Use 1/1000th sec if possible. It stops action better and allows you to get the ball in your images more often.
Shoot the scoreboard between each inning, period or quarter and after every shot you might think is important. This shows the inning, period or quarter the action happened.
As you focus, keep both eyes open to let your peripheral vision alert you to upcoming action.
Shoot the pitchers, quarterbacks as the game begins. They might just be part of the main story of the night. You'll never know.
Listen to the conservations going on around you, watch the assistant coaches or fans. You may become privy to something that is about to happen.
When the action is over, follow a player off the field. I usually choose a player who had a part in determining the course of the game or who has been injured. I don't always shoot pictures, but I'm ready to capture emotional shots and this keeps me alert.
If you shoot as the batter or quarterback is throwing the ball, remember to hit the shutter before they swing or throw. This will increase the likelihood of having the ball in the frame.
When the ball is hit or passed, find the player making the best effort to play the ball, focus on him and hope for a great picture.
If more than one player makes a play, make sure you follow the action to its conclusion. The juxtaposition of several players, all seemingly unaware or aware of each other and concentration on the ball, is a fascinating study.
Be creative in what you choose to shoot. There are many ways to tell the story of a sporting event. You don't have to shoot the same pictures over and over. Vary your perspective by using different lenses, shooting locations and shutter speeds. I always try for a safe shot, the one of a play at second base, or home plate and a runner carrying the football. Once I have those bases covered, I'll try to shoot action on the linemen trying to open holes for the runner, defensive backs covering receivers or some of the infielders trying to make a diving catch on the baseball.
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