Sport Photography

[awc]

Hi I have just bought my very first DSLR and know very little about photography in general, but am having a good time learning and trying things out. On the weekend some friends of mine are running in a triathlon. This will be a great chance to try out my camera. I'd love to hear about any tips for how to capture the action. Thanks.

[henryscat]

Well you're gonna need a "fast" lens - F2.8 capable or as close to it as possible.
Shutter speeds will need to be quite high in order to freeze the action.
You can try panning with the subject in order to capture a sharper image i.e. following the subject with the camera and clicking the shutter while you follow them round.

However the best shots will be face on, and this will make it easier to capture a sharper shot.

[Chip]

I was just at a triathlon this weekend and took some shots. Some things I learned:

1) if it's an early a.m. start, light will certainly be an issue. The swim start was basically right after sunrise, and it was hard to get shots with a slow zoom. But, the light improved quickly after the sun came up.

2) even after the sun was up, it was still low and shadows - not shutter speed - were an issue for the start of the bike part of the race. I spent some time shooting the riders in a tree-lined part of the course, but was frastrated by the shadows of spectators, shadows on the rider while the rest of the scene was in full sun, etc. Eventually, I moved to a spot on the course where shadows weren't an issue.

3) panning can be both fun and frustrating. It can be challenging to get everything in sharp focus, especially when the riders or runners are all moving at different speeds.

4) for the bike section, I put myself right by a 90 degree turn in the course. That way, the riders were slowing down which gave me the option of using a smaller aperture while still being able to stop the action. It also gave me the option of getting some shots while the riders were "leaning" into the turn.

5) I didn't have time to stay for the running part.

6) move around and take different types of shots. It likely would be a bit boring to have all your shots be from 1 or 2 places on the course. Also, try some shots while sitting on the ground and shooting up at the athletes - it's a different perspective.

7) if your camera gives you an autofocus option that will track a moving subject for you, use it. If not, make sure you know how to pick your focus point yourself. If you let your camera do it, it will likley focus on the thing closest to you, which may or not be your intended subject.

8) candids of spectators can be cool, too.

9) if there are pro photgraphers there, watch them and try to learn from them.

10) take lots of shots, learn, have fun and, if you like, post your shots when you're done.

[awc]

Thank you so much for taking the time to give me some pointers. I really am at serious amateur level so I appreciate it. I have enrolled in a beginners course that starts next week - but am already learning heaps from this site. I love it! My camera does have the autofocus option that will track for me which is a bonus for a beginner I think. I'm looking forward to seeing what I get tomorrow. I like your tip to follow the pros, I'm sure there will be loads there. I will be quietly watching and taking note. Thanks again

[awc]

Chip, I just checked out some of your triathlon shots I like the one of the guy coming around the corner. Great work. Henryscat, thank you also. You too have some wonderful shots. I find that I am spending so much time looking at all these wonderful photos and dreaming about knowing how to do take photos like these - I'm inspired can't wait for tomorrow

[JayPee]

Triathlon? Welcome to my world...

Perhaps one of the hardest sporting events to cover - with just one person shooting!
Swim starts (without a wet housing) can be dangerous - and cold... But swim exits are a great scource of action - it helps if you have access permission before hand - and short (wide angle) glass is best. Here I'm too tight at 70mm...



The transition area can be a great spot for intense action - and drama - races can be lost there! I agree with Chip on selecting Bike positions near a turning point - I use a 70-200L lens - more often at the 70mm end - with burst shooting and servo AF - and I'm always trying for shallow DOF - not always successfully! Run legs can be tricky - and that's where triathlons are won - do you choose the course - or the finish - difficult to do both... I base my decision on the event (or the opposition!)

Most professional triathlon photographers - use four photographers - each with 2-3 cameras. I'm on my own! Keep your eye on Jim Bryant's work and comments - he has helped me a lot... and then there's Chopstick Jayne... she's a swimming mom - with a very good eye for swimming shots.

Keep your mind on the STORY - who's doing what within the race - and there's always a multitude of sub-plots... you HAVE to understand the sport - and the identities within it - their times - their form. I carry a stopwatch - so I have some sort of warning as to who is about to appear next.

Enjoy it - it's a great sport - and be thankful that YOUR 2 hours is going to be marginally easier than theirs! My boy's racing in New Calledonia tomorrow - so I've got the weekend off!

[Jim Bryant]

nice shot there JP.........yup....you're learning.......

[JayPee]

Thanks Coach!

[awc]

Hi and thanks again for your pointers and encouragement. I must remind you again that this is my first SLR camera. I have now been playing for a month. I just started a beginners course this week and am enjoying learning all the time.

So a few weekends ago I went to the local triathlon (mainly to watch a family friend) but it was a good excuse to have a go at using my camera. This is not the best photo by any means but it reminds me of how fun it was. This is our family friend who we surprised by us showing up as he didn't know we would be there. This was when he first spotted us and heard us cheering him on. I think you will be able to see my other photos on my flickr page from the event and I'd love to get your advice on what i need to do next time. I found it difficult to get sharp pictures using the bigger lens I guess thats called camera shake. I don't have image an stabilizer. I also think I had trouble framing shots. I got so excited and you have to be so fast - you guys are very talented this was very tricky! Anyway all feedback good and bad is welcome! Love DPS and the helpful members.
A

[JayPee]

Your problem is not so much camera shake - as trying to cheer and shoot at the same time! Never works! And there's nothing wrong with the framing either - it's a nice shot. Actually - forget framing (through the lens) do that later in PP - cropping is your friend. I've looked through your Flickr site - and you're going well - and 'getting' the story... I don't have Image Stabiliser either - but I use a mono-pod (also good for getting through crowds!) Did you test my theory on the transition area - as a scource of high emotion stuff? This was last weekend at Byron Bay...



Savage ab cramps nearly took him out of the race... but back to photography!...

It would help if you had EXIF data activated on your Flickr site - and worked up a signature here on DPS - if we knew what gear you are using - we can get a better idea... Just a thought. But keep it up - I'll be interested in Jim's comments - he actually knows what he's talking about!!!