Sport and Action Photography, page 2: Finding shots

Know Your Sport
Ensure you have a good working understanding of the activity you are shooting. Then you can pre-empt where some of the action will be, and make sure you are in the right place at the right time.

You will also be able to pick the peak shooting points of the action, a moment which typifies the activity. For instance, in golf, it’s the end of the swing at the moment of contact with the ball. Think about the nature of the action and try to capture the parts of the activity that are most visually descriptive.

Split-Second Opportunities
When analysing the action, you are not just looking for the most aesthetically representative moment, but also the one that can most easily be captured by your camera. Take a competitive diver as an example. There is a point in the execution of the dive when just after leaving the platform the upward motion ceases and for a fraction of a second the diver is suspended in mid air.

In photographic terms this part of the action can be frozen more easily than at the fastest point of the activity where the diver enters the water.

The final pre-planning activity is to check with organisers about any restrictions beforehand. This will determine the equipment you need and the range of shots you will be able to get. Often photographers are confined to a particular part of the arena, or you’ll need clearance to photograph pitch side, or flash will not be allowed.

Don't Watch – Shoot!
There is an old sports photographer's adage that says 'If you see the action through the viewfinder then you've lost it', and this is largely true. At the moment of exposure for most digital users, the viewfinder goes blank to allow the mirror to retract and the shutter open. So if you see the action then you have missed the chance to record it. It takes practice, but anticipating the action point is one of the most important skills needed to take good images.

Shoot plenty of images – after all, exposing digital frames essentially costs nothing. Wherever possible, use the continuous shooting feature on your camera to capture action sequences or better still, if your camera is up to it, shoot 'through' the action and select the best images later at the desktop.

Look Beyond the Obvious
Don't forget that there are stories to be had behind the scenes as well. It could be worthwhile following the progress of one individual through the warm ups, heats, the big event and the aftermath, be it jubilation or despondency.

Shoot high, shoot low, but make sure you change your angle of view. Make the most of the location by moving around to find new vantage points. Also ensure you vary your shots. Use different focal lengths so that at the end of the event you have a combination of close-up, mid-range and long shots. A couple of good-quality zoom lenses can help cover an astonishing range of focal lengths.