Sports photography

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A sports photographer looking around during 2019 Pocono 400. Photographer (48010186141).jpg
A sports photographer looking around during 2019 Pocono 400.
Photographers at a game at Croke Park, Ireland. Note the use of telephoto lenses. Photographers at Croke Park.jpg
Photographers at a game at Croke Park, Ireland. Note the use of telephoto lenses.
A cameraperson follows Ellen van Dijk at the 2012 Summer Olympics. Photographing from a motor is done often in endurance sports Ellen van Dijk NED (8597988270).jpg
A cameraperson follows Ellen van Dijk at the 2012 Summer Olympics. Photographing from a motor is done often in endurance sports
Photographer on the sideline of an American football game with multiple cameras, long lenses, and monopods. SportsPhotographer.jpg
Photographer on the sideline of an American football game with multiple cameras, long lenses, and monopods.
Photographers capture skier Mikaela Shiffrin Mikaela Shiffrin in Are.jpg
Photographers capture skier Mikaela Shiffrin

Sports photography refers to the genre of photography that covers all types of sports.

Contents

In the majority of cases, professional sports photography is a branch of photojournalism, while amateur sports photography, such as photos of children playing association football, is a branch of vernacular photography.

The main application of professional sports photography is for editorial purposes; dedicated sports photographers usually work for newspapers, major wire agencies or dedicated sports magazines. However, sports photography is also used for advertising purposes both to build a brand and as well as to promote a sport in a way that cannot be accomplished by editorial means.

Equipment

Equipment typically used for sports photography includes a digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) camera or Mirrorless Camera with high continuous shooting speeds and interchangeable lenses ranging from 14mm to 400mm or longer in focal length, depending on the type of sport.[ citation needed ] The proper lenses are very important as they allow the photographer to reach closer or farther as quickly as possible to keep up with the game play. Essential accessories include a monopod or tripod for stability and extra batteries. Longer focal length lenses are typically used to photograph action in sports such as football, while wide angle lenses can be used for sideline and close-up athlete photos.

Camera bodies

The preferred camera bodies for modern sports photography have fast autofocus and high burst rates, typically 8 frames per second or faster. The current flagship sports DSLR cameras produced by Canon and Nikon are the Canon EOS-1D X Mark III and the Nikon D6; these are popular in professional sports photography. But there are multiple other camera bodies to choose from. If you are a fan of the latest mirrorless cameras, bodies like the Canon R5, the Canon R6, the Sony A1 and the Sony A9 offer full frame sensors to get the highest quality image without compromising ISO, Aperture, and Shutter Speed in your camera settings.

Lenses

Different sports favor different lenses, [1] but sports photography usually requires fast (wide aperture) telephoto lenses, with fast autofocus performance. Fast autofocus is needed to focus on movement, telephoto to get close to the action, and wide aperture for several reasons:

Extremely wide apertures (such as f/1.2 or f/1.4) are more rarely used, because at these apertures the depth of field is very shallow, which makes focusing more difficult and slows down autofocus. [2] The main distinction is between outdoor sports and indoor sports – in outdoor sports the distances are greater and the light brighter, [1] while in indoor sports the distances are lesser and the light dimmer. [2] Accordingly, outdoor sports tend to have longer focal length long focus lenses with slower apertures, while indoor sports tend to have shorter lenses with faster apertures.

Both zoom and prime lenses are used; zoom lenses (generally in the 70–200, 75–300, 100–400 or 200-400 range) allow a greater range of framing; primes are faster, cheaper, lighter, and optically superior, but are more restricted in framing. As an example the Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 400mm f/2.8G ED VR AF lens and the Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS II USM lens are both fixed telephoto lenses which cannot zoom.

Apertures of f/2.8 or faster are most often used, though f/4 is also found, particularly on brighter days. Particularly visible are the Canon super telephoto lenses, whose distinctive white casing (to dissipate the sun's heat) is recognizable at many sporting events. Of these, the Canon 400mm f/2.8 is particularly recommended for field sports such as football. [1] [3]

This varies with sport and preference; for example golf photographers may prefer to use a 500mm f/4 as opposed to a 400mm f/2.8 as it is a lighter lens to be carried around all day.

Indoor sports photography, as mentioned earlier, can present its own challenges with less distance between the action and photographer and extreme lighting. For example, competition cheerleading allows for photographers to be up close to the action while looking upwards directly into harsh stage lighting against a black background. A different approach to such a situation is to use the prime lens named a "nifty fifty". The shutter speed is extremely fast while still setting the aperture to bring in enough light. In this scenario a budget telephoto lens would produce both dark and blurry images. Using a prime 50mm lens is a budget friendly option for many other indoor events such as school plays, concerts, dance recitals, etc.

Remote cameras

Sports photographers may use remote cameras triggered by wireless shutter devices (i.e. Pocket Wizards) to photograph from places they could not otherwise stay, for example in an elevated position such as above a basketball basket, or to be in two places at once, i.e. at the start and the finish - such as at horse racing.[ citation needed ]

Technique

A live action shot of the game-winning goal in Game 7 of a 2017 Stanley Cup playoffs series in ice hockey. Such live action shots of a game-changing moment require the photographer to frame their images from a distance, with speed and adjust camera settings spontaneously. Pittsburgh Penguins, Washington Capitals, Bryan Rust (33744033514).jpg
A live action shot of the game-winning goal in Game 7 of a 2017 Stanley Cup playoffs series in ice hockey. Such live action shots of a game-changing moment require the photographer to frame their images from a distance, with speed and adjust camera settings spontaneously.

In order to minimize motion blur of moving subjects, the light sensitivity ("ISO" value) is increased, which shortens the necessary exposure time to capture sufficient light. The trade-off of increasing light sensitivity is increased noise, so sports photography is most effective in daylight and with higher-end cameras that are equipped with larger image sensors that capture more light and support higher light sensitivities.

Location is often important for sports photography. At big events, professional photographers often shoot from VIP spots with the best views, usually as close to the action as possible. Most sports require the photographer to frame their images with speed and adjust camera settings spontaneously to prevent blurring or incorrect exposure. Some sports photography is also done from a distance to give the game a unique effect.

Getting to know your subjects is critical in capturing emotion. Effects and editing can only do so much for a photo. Understanding who athletes are by having a conversation with them can change your view on the person, making you a better photographer.

Knowing the game. Predicting what happens next in a sports game is critical in understanding how to compose your shot. The action moves fast so you take the time to prepare yourself before going out and taking photos.

Panning of Porsche 996 GT3 RSR Chu Yin miku - panoramio - gundam2345.jpg
Panning of Porsche 996 GT3 RSR

Shutter speed is critical to catching motion, thus sports photography is often done in shutter priority mode or manual. A frequent goal is to capture an instant with minimal blur, in which case a minimal shutter speed is desired, but in other cases a slower shutter speed is used so that blur shows to capture the motion, not simply the instant. A particular technique is panning, where the camera uses an intermediate shutter speed and pans with the subject, yielding a relatively sharp subject and a background blurred in the direction of motion, yielding a sense of speed – compare speed lines.

ISO speed is often high (to allow faster shutter speeds) and may be left in auto.

Photos are often taken in burst mode to capture the best moment, sometimes in combination with JPEG rather than RAW shooting (JPEG files being smaller, these allow longer bursts).

Strip photography

While the vast majority of sports photography focuses on capturing a moment, possibly with some blur, the technique of strip photography is sometimes used to instead show motion over time. This is most prominent in a photo finish, but can also be used for other purposes, often yielding unusually distorted images.

Type

Commemorative photograph

In association football, before kick-off, a starting XI commemorative photograph is taken.

The tradition of taking a starting XI photograph has existed since 1863, when one was taken for Wanderers F.C. and following inaugural 1871–72 FA Cup, starting XI photograph became common throughout England. [4]

Taking a starting XI photograph also occurred in 1930 FIFA World Cup, [5] [6] and, at present, in international A matches and international club matches such as UEFA Champions League, taking a starting XI commemorative photograph is included in match day protocols.

On occasion, some teams took both starting XI photograph and full squad photograph in their historic matches, for example, Brazil in 2002 FIFA World Cup Final [7] and Tottenham Hotspur in the 2019 UEFA Champions League Final. [8] [9]

Notable photographers

A number of notable international photographers are well known for their sports photography work; Some of them have often worked for the magazines Life or Sports Illustrated.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Single-lens reflex camera</span> Camera that typically uses a mirror and prism system

A single-lens reflex camera (SLR) is a camera that typically uses a mirror and prism system that permits the photographer to view through the lens and see exactly what will be captured. With twin lens reflex and rangefinder cameras, the viewed image could be significantly different from the final image. When the shutter button is pressed on most SLRs, the mirror flips out of the light path, allowing light to pass through to the light receptor and the image to be captured.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Camera</span> Optical device for recording images

A camera is an instrument used to capture and store images and videos, either digitally via an electronic image sensor, or chemically via a light-sensitive material such as photographic film. As a pivotal technology in the fields of photography and videography, cameras have played a significant role in the progression of visual arts, media, entertainment, surveillance, and scientific research. The invention of the camera dates back to the 19th century and has since evolved with advancements in technology, leading to a vast array of types and models in the 21st century.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shutter speed</span> Length of time when the film or digital sensor inside a camera is exposed to light

In photography, shutter speed or exposure time is the length of time that the film or digital sensor inside the camera is exposed to light when taking a photograph. The amount of light that reaches the film or image sensor is proportional to the exposure time. 1⁄500 of a second will let half as much light in as 1⁄250.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bokeh</span> Aesthetic quality of blur in the out-of-focus parts of an image

In photography, bokeh is the aesthetic quality of the blur produced in out-of-focus parts of an image, caused by circles of confusion. Bokeh has also been defined as "the way the lens renders out-of-focus points of light". Differences in lens aberrations and aperture shape cause very different bokeh effects. Some lens designs blur the image in a way that is pleasing to the eye, while others produce distracting or unpleasant blurring. Photographers may deliberately use a shallow focus technique to create images with prominent out-of-focus regions, accentuating their lens's bokeh.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Camera lens</span> Optical lens or assembly of lenses used with a camera to create images

A camera lens is an optical lens or assembly of lenses used in conjunction with a camera body and mechanism to make images of objects either on photographic film or on other media capable of storing an image chemically or electronically.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Canon EF lens mount</span> Standard lens mount on the Canon EOS family

The EF lens mount is the standard lens mount on the Canon EOS family of SLR film and digital cameras. EF stands for "Electro-Focus": automatic focusing on EF lenses is handled by a dedicated electric motor built into the lens. Mechanically, it is a bayonet-style mount, and all communication between camera and lens takes place through electrical contacts; there are no mechanical levers or plungers. The mount was first introduced in 1987.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Autofocus</span> Sensor-controlled optical focus

An autofocus optical system uses a sensor, a control system and a motor to focus on an automatically- or manually-selected point or area. An electronic rangefinder has a display instead of the motor; the adjustment of the optical system has to be done manually until indication. Autofocus methods are distinguished as active, passive or hybrid types.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Digital single-lens reflex camera</span> Digital cameras combining the parts of a single-lens reflex camera and a digital camera back

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nikon FE</span> Camera model

The Nikon FE is an advanced semi-professional level, interchangeable lens, 35 mm film, single-lens reflex (SLR) camera. It was manufactured by Nikon in Japan from 1978 to 1983, and was available new from dealer stock until c. 1984. The FE uses a metal-bladed, vertical-travel focal plane shutter with a speed range of 8 to 1/1000 second, plus Bulb, and flash X-sync of 1/125th second. It had dimensions of 89.5 millimetres (3.52 in) height, 142 mm (5.6 in) width, 57.5 mm (2.26 in) depth and 590 grams (21 oz) weight. It was available in two colors: black with chrome trim and all black. As on the FM, its model designation did not appear on the front of the camera, but was engraved as a small "FE" preceding the serial number on the rear of the housing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Canon A-1</span> 35mm single-lens reflex camera model

The Canon A-1 is an advanced-level single-lens reflex (SLR) 35 mm film camera for use with interchangeable lenses. It was manufactured by Canon Camera K. K. in Japan from March 1978 to 1985. It employs a horizontal cloth-curtain focal-plane shutter with a speed range of 30 to 1/1000 second plus bulb and flash synchronization speed of 1/60 second. It has dimensions of 92 millimetres (3.6 in) height, 141 millimetres (5.6 in) width, 48 millimetres (1.9 in) depth and 620 grams (22 oz) weight. Unlike most SLRs of the time, it was available in only one color; all black. The introductory US list price for the body plus Canon FD 50 mm f/1.4 SSC lens was $625; the camera body was generally sold with a 30–40% discount.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shutter (photography)</span> Component of a photographic camera

In photography, a shutter is a device that allows light to pass for a determined period, exposing photographic film or a photosensitive digital sensor to light in order to capture a permanent image of a scene. A shutter can also be used to allow pulses of light to pass outwards, as seen in a movie projector or a signal lamp. A shutter of variable speed is used to control exposure time of the film. The shutter is constructed so that it automatically closes after a certain required time interval. The speed of the shutter is controlled either automatically by the camera based on the overall settings of the camera, manually through digital settings, or manually by a ring outside the camera on which various timings are marked.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Canon T80</span>

The Canon T80 is Canon's first autofocus 35mm single-lens reflex camera. It was introduced in April 1985 and discontinued in June 1986 and is part of the T series of FD mount cameras. It is not compatible with Canon's later EOS system and its autofocus EF-mount lenses. Three special lenses, designated AC, were produced specifically for the camera. Other FD-mount lenses can also be used, but without autofocus capabilities.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Canon EF 85mm lens</span>

The EF 85mm lenses are a group of medium telephoto prime lenses made by Canon Inc. that share the same focal length. These lenses have an EF type mount that fits the Canon EOS line of cameras.

The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to photography:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lenses for SLR and DSLR cameras</span>

This article details lensesfor single-lens reflex and digital single-lens reflex cameras. The emphasis is on modern lenses for 35 mm film SLRs and for "full-frame" DSLRs with sensor sizes less than or equal to 35 mm.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Digital camera modes</span> User selectable camera configurations

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Burst mode (photography)</span> Shooting mode in still camera

Burst mode, also called continuous shooting mode, sports mode, continuous mode, or burst shot, is a shooting mode in still cameras where several photos are captured in quick succession by either pressing the shutter button or holding it down. This is used mainly when the subject is in successive motion, such as sports photography. The photographer can then select the best image of the group or arrange them in a sequence to study the transitions in detail.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Micro Four Thirds system</span> Digital camera design standard

The Micro Four Thirds system is a standard released by Olympus and Panasonic in 2008, for the design and development of mirrorless interchangeable lens digital cameras, camcorders and lenses. Camera bodies are available from Blackmagic, DJI, JVC, Kodak, Olympus, Panasonic, Sharp, and Xiaomi. MFT lenses are produced by Cosina Voigtländer, Kowa, Kodak, Mitakon, Olympus, Panasonic, Samyang, Sharp, Sigma, SLR Magic, Tamron, Tokina, TTArtisan, Veydra, Xiaomi, Laowa, Yongnuo, Zonlai, Lensbaby, Venus Optics and 7artisans amongst others.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sigma 200-500mm f/2.8 EX DG lens</span>

The Sigma 200-500mm f/2.8 EX DG lens is a professional-level telephoto zoom lens made by Sigma Corporation. It is notable for being the first lens with an aperture of f/2.8 and a focal length of 500mm. This combination allows very distant objects to be photographed at high shutter speeds in dimmer light, compared to other telephoto lenses. It also allows for very narrow depth-of-field and diffuse bokeh. The main markets for such long, fast lenses are wildlife and sports photographers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nikon F-mount teleconverter</span> Family of camera lenses

The Nikon F-mount teleconverters are a group of magnifying lenses mounted between the lens and camera bodies using the Nikon F-mount. Currently, 1.4x, 1.7x and 2x converters are available separately; a fourth, the 1.25x, is available only with Nikon's newest 800mm supertelephoto lens.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Canon Outdoor Sports Lens Recommendations, The Digital Picture
  2. 1 2 Canon Indoor Sports Lens Recommendations, The Digital Picture
  3. ↑ Canon EF 400mm f/2.8 L IS USM Lens Review, The Digital Picture
  4. ↑ Evans, Jadya (20 August 2022). "How the starting XI photo began". The Seattle Times . Retrieved 30 December 2022.
  5. ↑ Squad Photo of USA in 1930 FIFA World Cup
  6. ↑ Squad Photo of Uruguay in 1930 FIFA World Cup Final
  7. ↑ Full Squad Photo of Brazil in 2002 FIFA World Cup Final
  8. ↑ UEFA change team photo protocol at the request of Pochettino
  9. ↑ Full Squad Photo of Tottenham Hotspur in the 2019 UEFA Champions League Final>
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