Online Photography School

Tips For Action Photography – Part III

Getting great photographs of the world in motion is a difficult task. More than any other kind of photography, action photography demands lightning-quick reflexes, a solid foundation in composition and other photo elements, and a little bit of luck. That being said, anyone can learn to take great action shots if you’re willing to commit a little time to understanding the methods to the madness. Here are some techniques on how you can get started taking action photos.

Know Your Subject Matter

Due to the short amount of time you have to shoot, it’s important that you understand the subject you’re photographing. For example, with basketball, if you’re not near the basket, you won’t get a good picture of the next dunk. Before you start shooting a particular subject in action, take time to understand your subject so you can anticipate the action before it happens.

Get the Subject in Action

You want to always try to get the subject at the time when the action is at its maximum impact. For example if you’re photographing snowboarders jumping off a ramp, know what type of shot you want. Do you want the launch, the landing or the highest part in the jump? Action photography can be captivating if you compose the picture to include the most interesting part of the action. So, always be thinking of the best way to compose your picture.

Focus in Advance

Many professional photographers will focus their cameras on an empty space where they expect something to happen. This is an easy thing to do if you know the activity you’re shooting, and will save you valuable time when someone is flying through the air in your frame and you have milliseconds to react.

Pan with the Subject

It is important in action photography that you convey motion in the final print. While some subjects will have obvious motion, such as a basketball player frozen mid-dunk, others may require a bit of work on your part. Panning is when you move your camera to keep up with the subject as they pass in front of you. This will give you the end result of the subject being clearly in focus but the background being blurred by the motion of the camera.

Having the Right Film and Using a Flash

High ISO or High-speed film (800 or above) is usually best for action photography. The high light sensitivity will let you use faster shutter speeds in more varied light situations and help you to freeze actions perfectly. For ultra fast movements, a flash can also be helpful however most consumer level camera flashes won’t work well beyond 10 feet.

Frame the Image for Action

Try not to stop the action of a subject in your photograph. While freezing an action in progress is a good goal for an action shot, allow the viewer room to follow the action to a possible conclusion. For example if you have someone jumping down some stairs, position the subject near the top of the picture and have some stairs below so it’s easier to understood the outcome of the action.

Digital Makes it Easier

Action photography takes an enormous amount of patience and practice, and up until recently also required an enormous amount of film. Thanks to digital cameras and their near-endless supply of photographs, you can now practice your action shots without taking such a huge hit on your wallet. And even better, many digital SLRs have continuous shooting modes that allow you to shoot 10-50 images in rapid succession so you can have more opportunities for the perfect shot.

Anytime your shooting action photography safety needs to come first you so can avoid injuring yourself or the subject in motion. Never position yourself where you run the risk of getting hit by vehicles or athletes, and make sure that the people you are shooting are aware of where you’ll be during the activity. Beyond that, the more you shoot, the better you’ll get!
Author
Autumn Lockwood