Question by holly_cristil27: What are some tips for taking quality sports photographs with a digital camera?
I am a student and I was only the position of sports photographer at my university newspaper assigned. I am not a sports fan, and I would love some tips on how to get the best shots. I have a Nikon Coolpix S200.
Best answer:
Answer by max_rochny
Holly, a facial shot is always good in a victory or a defeat. The weather can be a good shot at the beginning or the end to close your daily shots to further the pictures and events. Good luck, Max
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check your local newspaper and online…see what kind of shots they publish and you can always mimic it and at the same time, using your own creativity. the basics rules of photography apply, like filling the frame, correct exposure, athletes facial expressions, etc. goood luck.
Congratulations. Learn to shoot with both eyes open and use your peripheral vision to watch what is going on around you. Most importantly, watch for the 300 lb. kid chasing the action you are following in the view finder – he is about to crush your ribs.
Learn to keep ahead of the action, anticipate what is about to happen.
Learn what the Sports Mode is capable of doing at different zoom settings. Learn the portrait modes.
Get plenty of sideline shots that capture emotion. Get a few crowd shots. Get the player right as and after they score. The real sports shot is action, getting close enough and stopping the action is going to be a big challenge for you and your equipment.
Do a good sports job with that camera and you can handle anything. Good luck.
If taking action shots w/ the S200, learn to pan your shots, anticipating when to press the shutter early enough to compensate for the focus lag you’ll invariably encounter. You may want to practice w/ a relative’s sport event.
With the S200′s limited focal reach (35mm equivalent of 114mm), you will have to try and get as close to the action and safely possible. As has been noted, learn to shoot with both eyes open. One watching the view finder and the other watching what’s happening immediately around you.
You may also want to team up w/ the sports reporter so you can also get shots during any interview’s they do.
Hopefully your university will opt to provide you with an SLR w/ a zoom lens that has more reach.
HTH