Sports Photography: Tips and Camera Recommendations for Capturing the Action
Sports photography requires a combination of technical skills, creativity, and patience.
Whether you're a professional photographer or an enthusiast, capturing the decisive moment in a sports event can be a great experience.
Here are a few tips and camera recommendations that will help you improve your sports photography skills and capture amazing images of the action:
Tips for Sports Photography
Know the sport
Understanding the rules, the players, and the dynamics of the sport you're photographing can help you anticipate the action and capture the most exciting moments.
Research the sport, watch videos, and attend events to familiarize yourself with the game.
Use fast shutter speeds
Sports photography requires fast shutter speeds to freeze the action and avoid motion blur.
Set your camera to shutter priority mode and choose a speed of at least 1/1000th of a second or faster.
Use burst mode
Burst mode allows you to capture a series of images in quick succession, increasing your chances of getting the perfect shot.
Use burst mode to capture the athlete's movements and expressions during the game.
Focus on the eyes
You know the saying we have in photography: “the eyes are the windows to the soul”. And they can make or break a sports photo.
Make sure the athlete's eyes are in focus, as they convey emotion and intensity.
Experiment with angle
Shoot from low angles, high angles, and different positions to capture unique and dynamic images.
Best Cameras for Sports Photography on a Budget
Here are some camera recommendations for sports photography under $1500:
This mirrorless camera is considered the best overall for sports photography by PopSci.
It features a 24.1-megapixel sensor, fast autofocus, and 10 frames-per-second continuous shooting.
Another mirrorless camera that offers good value for money and lens selection, according to Digital Camera World.
It features a 24.2-megapixel sensor, fast autofocus, and 11 frames-per-second continuous shooting.
The Nikon Z6 II is an excellent choice for sports photography, with its 14fps continuous shooting, fast autofocus, and 24.5MP full-frame sensor. It would pair beautifully with the Sigma 70-200mm lens.
This budget option is also mentioned for sports photography by Digital Camera World.
It features a 24.1-megapixel sensor, fast autofocus, and 7 frames per second continuous shooting.
Sony A7R III
The Sony A7R III is an excellent choice for sports and action photography. It has a high-resolution 42.4MP full-frame sensor, fast autofocus, and can shoot up to 10fps continuous shooting.This is confirmed in this publication too.
Sony a9 II
While a bit more expensive, the Sony a9 II is an incredibly capable sports camera. It can shoot at up to 20fps with full autofocus and autoexposure, making it perfect for freezing fast-paced action.The Sony A7 IV is a strong all-around option, with a 33MP full-frame sensor, 10fps continuous shooting, and excellent autofocus performance. This would be a good choice for both sports and other photography genres.
Best Camera and Lens Combo for Sports Under $3,500
Camera Recommendation:
Sony a7 IV
The Sony a7 IV is an excellent all-around mirrorless camera with great autofocus performance and 10fps burst shooting capabilities, making it well-suited for capturing fast action in sports photography.
Lens Recommendation:
Sony FE 70-200mm f/4 G OSS
The Sony 70-200mm f/4 is a versatile telephoto zoom lens that is perfect for sports photography.
Its focal length range allows you to capture tight shots of athletes in action from a distance.
While the f/4 aperture is not as bright as f/2.8, it is more affordable and still performs well in good lighting conditions.
If you need better low-light performance or want to shoot at even faster shutter speeds, consider the Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II ($2,798) - though this would put you over the $3,500 budget.
Renting lenses is also a cost-effective option to try out different focal lengths before committing to a purchase.
For video, the Sony a7 IV is capable of recording 4K video at up to 60fps.
You can use the same 70-200mm telephoto lens for both photography and videography, eliminating the need for separate lenses.
Tips for Low-Light Sports Photography
Here are some tips for shooting in low-light conditions during sports events:
Camera Settings
Use Fast Shutter Speeds: To freeze the action, use a fast shutter speed of at least 1/1000th of a second or faster.
Adjust ISO: Increase your camera's ISO to enable shooting at faster shutter speeds. Modern cameras can handle high ISO settings with minimal noise, especially when images are viewed on digital devices.
Open Aperture: Use a lens with a wide aperture to allow more light into the camera, enabling faster shutter speeds.
Gear & Techniques
Stabilization: Use a monopod or stable surface to reduce camera shake, especially if you have to use slower shutter speeds.
Image Stabilization: Look for lenses with image stabilization to compensate for lower shutter speeds, especially when shooting still subjects in low light.
Tripod: In situations where it's feasible, these recommended tripods can help stabilize the camera for longer exposures.
Practice and Experiment
Shoot in Burst Mode: Capture a series of images in quick succession to increase your chances of getting the perfect shot.
Experiment with Settings: Take test shots and adjust your camera settings to find the right balance of shutter speed and ISO for the specific lighting conditions.
Chimping: Check your LCD screen after taking a photograph to ensure your settings and focus are appropriate for the lighting conditions.
How to Use Flash In Low-Light Sports Photography
Flash Techniques
Freeze the Action
Use flash to freeze the action and avoid motion blur.
You can use the flashlight to freeze the action or use high-speed sync (HSS) to synchronize the flash with your camera's shutter speed.
Fill Light
Use flash as fill light to add depth and dimension to your images.
This technique is useful when shooting in low light conditions where the subject is backlit or in shadow.
Avoid Built-in Flash
Avoid using the built-in flash on your camera as it can be distracting to the players and produce harsh lighting.
Instead, use an external flash or off-camera flash stands to produce powerful flashes that are fast and not disruptive.
And That’s It
As you can see, sports photography requires skill, patience, and the right equipment.
You can capture awesome images of the action by following these tips and using the recommended cameras.
I hope that helps,
-Hakan.