What’s Your Preference?

APhotoSchool · #1 (**permalink**) 07-14-2011, 07:39 PM

Action photography is exciting and fun, however, capturing great images takes a lot of technique and practice. Use these tips to get you off to a quick start!

1. Go Low and Wide. Action images should be exciting. The easiest way by far to accomplish this is by getting low under the athlete making them appear bigger or higher, and going wide to make everything more dramatic.

2. Show the before and after. With jumps try to include the takeoff, landing, or both. With speed try to showcase where the athlete is going or came from.

3. Capture the element. Action sports take place in cool locations. Capture these locations to make the photos unique.

4. Don’t shoot guy in the sky. Guy in the sky went out in the 80’s with flattops and mullets. Give the viewer a sense of what’s going on and where it’s happening. Guy in the sky shots could be taken anywhere.

5. Bring on the flash! Flash will make your action shots stand out from the pack. Add that little burst of light to fill in the dark shadows on your athlete and make them stand out from the background.

6. Separate the athlete from the backdrop. Have the athlete wear bright clothing that doesn’t blend into the scenery so they are more visible. Also try shooting them against a dark backdrop if they are in the light, or vice-versa.

Authors Connor Walberg and Daniel Milchev are both published professional action photographers, and together run Action Photo School. A website dedicated to teaching all aspects of action photography. Whether you’re an established action photographer, or just starting to shoot action, Action Photo School is the place for you!