Featured Technique

Take This Shot: Sports

by Debbi Allen on 23rd July 2009

As any sports photographer will tell you, half of getting a decent shot is timing, and the other is being prepared. To start with, the focus needs to be correctly set up to allow the image to be taken when the instant occurs, rather than having to wait for the correct focus zone to be highlighted. Because of the relatively uninteresting background it isn’t any great loss to lock the zones down to centre only, and leave the majority of the rest of the shot blurred. This also ensures any objects between camera and subject don’t ruin the image if they pop into the bottom of the frame.

If the camera has a constant or AI focus, switch to that. This lets the lens track the subject as you do, making the necessary adjustments to keep the subject sharp without letting off the shutter release. Shutter speed is also important, but fight the temptation to constantly operate at 1/500 or higher. Freezing the subject will remove the illusion of movement, so dial down to 1/250 or lower. Environmental elements emphasise the motion so the shot looks all the more spectacular. Finally activate the Burst mode to not only have a choice of shots, but to allow for any unexpected incidents, such as a crash or spin, to occur under the watchful eye of the camera rather than between shots.

Luck may well be a large part of getting an impressive sports shot, but with the right preparation it really won’t be necessary, and a superb looking shot of a fast-

Shutter speed
Don’t push the shutter speed right up to the maximum and freeze the subject. Instead dial down slightly and allow surrounding elements, such as water, to emphasise the motion in the shot.

Drive mode
Keep the frames per second up in case something unexpected occurs. A car can spin or crash when you least expect it, and having to describe an incident to someone is far harder than simply showing it to them.

Central focus
Setting the focus to central not only keeps the uninteresting background from confusing the multi-zone autofocus, but it also acts as an impetus to ensure the framing of the subject is absolutely spot-on.

Track back
The focus may not keep up with the subject as well as the photographer, so switch to a constant Focus mode and keep the shutter release half-pressed to ensure sharpness is perfect when the image is taken.

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