What are the knowledge and skills of sports photography?

Lead: sports photography is more difficult than shooting static objects, and the camera used is more powerful. But it doesn't mean that ordinary cameras can't shoot moving pictures. As long as you are familiar with the sports activities to be photographed and master certain sports photography skills, especially the advance of pressing the shutter, ordinary cameras can still take good-looking sports photos.

1. Select sports photographic equipment

Due to the limitation of the venue conditions and lighting, as well as various regulations for photographers in sports events, sports photography has its own characteristics, and the equipment used is also different from other types of photography. Of course, ordinary cameras can be used for sports photography, but overlooking cameras are not suitable for shooting fast-moving objects.

2. It is best to have a small camera.

The camera should be small, and it is best to equip it with a 135 SLR camera, which is small, easy to carry and flexible when shooting. Equipped with more than two cameras, you can save the time of frequent lens changes, so as to capture wonderful shots in time. The camera should have a high-speed motor, so that you can concentrate on finding the best moment and press the shutter at any time.

3. Equipped with lenses with different focal lengths.

Because photographers are often unable to get close to the subject and walk around at will, telephoto lenses are essential for sports photography. For example, a 300mm/2.8 or 400mm/2.8 fixed-focus lens is called a sports photographer? Standard lens? .

The zoom lens of 70 ~ 200mm and F2.8 is the most commonly used lens in sports photography, which can basically cope with most sports shooting. Of course, a wide-angle lens is essential when shooting a big game scene or a large group gymnastics.

It is the most economical choice to use rangefinder to increase the corresponding lens focal length on the basis of the original lens. Range extenders usually have specifications of 1.4X and 2X. If an X 1.4 rangefinder is added between the lens and the camera, the focal length of a 200mm lens becomes 280mm, and if 2X is added, it becomes 400mm.

The aperture of the lens should be very large.

Because sports photography is often limited by light and sensitivity, and sports photography must use a faster shutter speed. Therefore, a lens without a large aperture (above F2.8) often cannot take high-quality photos.

5. You need a tripod.

Although tripod is not necessary (it has the disadvantages of mobility and inflexible framing), it is helpful to improve the image quality for shooting movements with relatively stable shooting point and framing angle. However, if the lens used is large and heavy, it needs to be equipped with a monopod with small floor space and convenient use, because it is difficult to hold the heavy lens for a long time and it is impossible to take a clear picture. It is best to choose a lightweight and durable carbon fiber monopod, which is also one of the commonly used equipment in sports photography.

This photo was taken by a photographer at the Beijing Olympic Games. In sports competitions with large field and long shooting distance, photographers mostly use binoculars and monopods over 300 mm

Select the shooting position

Shooting location refers to the shooting location occupied by photographers at the shooting scene of sports competitions. For photographers, the shooting position is very important, and a favorable shooting position often directly affects the quality and effect of photos.

When choosing the shooting position, we should consider the following aspects as needed, giving priority to one or two aspects:

(1) The photos taken at this location are beneficial to reflect the characteristics of this project;

(2) This position is easy to move at critical moments and close to the subject at any time;

(3) This post should be adapted to the equipment provided by itself;

(4) This position can try to avoid messy background.

(5) This position will not interfere with or affect the competition of athletes.

(6) This position is not easily disturbed by court staff such as judges.

This photo was taken at 1994 Beijing Sixth Far East and Pacific Games for the Disabled. In order to shoot wheelchair racing at a low angle at the corner, the reporter chose to lie on the ground and shoot back with a wide-angle lens.

The so-called shooting point is where I want to shoot. In sports photography, it is often the position of athletes. In sports photography, a reasonable and appropriate shooting point is very important for grasping the key action moments. Pay attention to the following three points:

(1) Do a good job of investigation and study. To understand the sports characteristics and laws of the photographed events, it is best to know what the typical movements of athletes are.

(2) Serve the outstanding theme. We should give full consideration to the lighting effect and background of the shooting scene to set off the theme. It can be said that to highlight any theme, we must choose a shooting point, and different sports should choose different shooting points. The choice of shooting point directly reflects the photographer's understanding and creative thinking of sports and athletes' movements.

(3) Find the best action point. When choosing a shooting point, look for places where action climax often appears, and find places where it can definitely appear. For example, basketball shooting point, under the backboard, football shooting point, restricted area, online volleyball, short track speed skating corner kick and so on. Are the best points to show the characteristics of the project and the climax of the sport.

Men's hockey competition in 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. The front door of the ball game is often the most competitive place, and it is also the place where the wonderful shots are most likely to appear. You must choose the door as the shooting point.