Sports do not build character. They reveal it.
John Wooden
Serena Williams. Siya Kolisi. Tiger Woods. Michael Phelps. Bianca Buitendag. Wayde van Niekerk.
World-class athletes are so much more than the sum of their talent. To perform at their highest level, many have had to overcome great adversity and make significant personal sacrifices.
Some of South Africa’s greatest names in sport did not grow up with the benefit of attending major live major sports events, having coaches, school sports on offer, or even access to matches broadcast on television.
The journalist and sports photographer have an important role in making sport accessible to all through documenting the thrilling highlights of an event.
This article looks at how to become a sports photographer, what makes memorable sports photos, and how to get hired by either a team or publication to be an action photographer.
What does sports photography involve?
Sports photographers know how to capture action and emotion. They are either hired by sports teams as the official photographer or work as freelancers who make a living selling their images to publications.
Let’s take a look at how the action photographer can make a career for themselves in the exciting industry of professional sport.
Finding Work as a Sports Photographer
If you have a love for photography and know how to capture action and emotion, sports photography could be your calling. If you are a sports fan yourself then taking sports photos could be your calling.
Of course, like most things, sports photography can be competitive and challenging arena in which to build a reputation. To succeed, many sacrifices and much dedication will be needed to ensure that a fulfilling career is possible.
Maintaining a steady flow of work is key for the sports photographer, here are some recommendations to help make that easier:
- Know the Game Rules: to take good sports photos, a successful photographer should know the rules of the game in order to get those million-dollar shots. To do this, become familiar with the rules, timing, and even the quirks and characteristics of the players.
- Become a Student of Photography: through taking various photography classes, beginners will grow in confidence when it comes to gaining critical technical skills. Not only that but taking photography lessons will help to establish your network of industry contacts. When someone is looking for an action photographer they will know who to call!
- Volunteer: one way to gain experience is to volunteer to take the sports photos for your local school or community club. Always make sure that you have the permission of the school and parents first.
- Start an Interactive Blog: photography blogs like those set up on sites like WordPress or Tumblr will simultaneously showcase your portfolio and attract potential clients. Blogs tend to have better success than stand-websites because of their SEO advantages, especially when content is fresh and updated regularly.
- Apply for Jobs: spend time marketing yourself directly by applying for jobs and staying in touch with media outlets. One way to canvas yourself would be to find the email addresses of photography directors. Don’t be afraid to email them a friendly, yet professional note with a link to your portfolio.
- Learn How to Edit: in today’s digital world, it will be critical for you to know how to edit your sports photos. Even if you are an ace at knowing how to capture action and emotion, if your selection and editing skills are poor you will only be doing half the job. When it comes to sports photos you can expect to colour correct, crop, and add sharpening to your images all of which can be accomplished in programmes like Adobe’s Photoshop or Lightroom. your images and help ensure some of the best jobs in the business.
If you see yourself as an action photographer specialising in sports photography, follow these tips and work at each one with diligence and determination.
Perhaps you can implement some of the tips for taking good portrait photos?
Gear for Taking Sports Photos
You probably have a few questions about the type of gear needed by the action photographer. This is an important subject because even though your raw talent will count for a lot, especially when it comes to knowing how to capture action and emotion, you will the right equipment to take really impactful images.
Here is a recommended guideline for the type of camera gear you should have on your list as a sports photographer:
- The Camera: by now you already know that your mobile phone is not going to get the job done. There are many options for investing in quality DSLRs for beginners that allow you to change lenses. Once you have some experience you could always upgrade your camera body and even opt for a mirrorless camera that offers the best quality and focus speeds on the market.
- The Lenses: even average camera bodies are usually sold with a lens. However, it’s likely that this will not suffice when it comes to taking sports photos. For instance, a zoom lens is how to capture action and emotion, but it is not a standard lens. Also, you if you are shooting sport in low light conditions, even at night, you will need a wide-angle lens to take in the most light possible. Also, you may want a wider aperture with a low f. stop to compensate for low light.
- Invest in SD cards: avoid the rookie error of not having enough memory space on a shoot. Make sure that your memory card is clear of other images and has at least one backup in your camera bag. Invest in memory cards with a minimum of 32GB, although there is no harm in having as much memory available as possible.
- Monopods Over Tripods: sports photography, much like wedding photography can be tiring because of the duration of the event. Having a monopod that can offer support when it comes to holding a heavy camera is crucial. Tripods tend to be too cumbersome for the action photographer who needs to move around quickly. Choose a good-quality monopod that is adjustable, strong, and stable. It should have a fixed round foot, twist locks, and a tight grip. The Manfrotto XPRO 5-Section model is highly recommended.
Setting yourself up with quality camera equipment can be a sizeable investment. Remember that this does not need to happen all at once and that certain items can be added to your camera bag as you get busier and busier. It is also advisable to hire gear while you are starting out as a photographer. Not only is this affordable but it will also provide you with opportunities to compare different makes and models.
Remember that equipment for fashion photography or wildlife photography, for instance, will differ.
Further Advice to Become a Better Photographer
Even some of the most successful career photographers started out shooting as a hobby only to realise that their passion could be translated into a rewarding career.
Whichever route you take, remember that becoming a professional does not happen overnight. However, over time and with much study, effort, and perseverance amateur photographers become experienced sought-after professionals.
Here are some recommendations on how to continually hone your craft in a highly competitive industry.
- Educate Yourself: becoming a brilliant photographer requires continual education. Consider committing time every day, or at least a few times a week to read informative books, articles, and reputable photography websites. Watch YouTube videos and make the most of the free resources on the internet. Work with a private photography tutor to constantly up your game. Find out more about other types of photography, such as advertising photography.
- Keep Your Camera with You: invest in a camera strap that is comfortable and durable. This will make carrying your camera around at a game convenient and easy. Even if you are not shooting a match, remember that having your camera around all the time will improve your skills and ensure that you never have to say: “ah, I wish I had my camera with me!”
- Keep Things Fresh: regardless of what niche of photography you have decided to specialise in, it is also important to mix things up every now and then and expand your horizons. By branching out into different genres from time to time, you will acquire new skills that you can apply back to your sports photography. You will probably have fun at the same time and remember why you took up photography in the first place.
Becoming a sports photographer is a highly rewarding career that will combine your passion for sport, people, and photography. Which sports and photography fan wouldn’t want to take photographs of their favourite athletes while earning a living at the same time?
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