 Professional Photography |
|
|
Sports PhotographySports photography requires specialized knowledge and equipment for the photographer to obtain good photographs. Because the photographers usually can't physically be close to the action, or may not know exactly where on the field the action will take place, long telephoto lenses are needed, to enable the photographer to zoom in close. Because of the fast action of most sporting events, most photographers use very fast film, in order to freeze the action and avoid blurry pictures. Cameras are needed with very fast shutter speeds, too, and most sports photographers prefer cameras with motorized shutter release operation with the ability to take many photographs quickly. Documentary PhotographySport photography has been called one of few remaining forms of documentary photography. Indeed, sport photography is probably close to photojournalism than to other forms of photography. The photographer must be on the scene and ready for the perfect shot — which will happen when it happens, and the photographer has no control over when, where or how it will happen. He simply must be in position and ready with his camera, in order to capture the moment when it happens. Location Location LocationUnlike most types of photography, sports photography does not permit the photographer to have much, if any, control over the staging of the shot, nor can the sports photographer position himself in what he considers the ideal location. He's kept off the field, at the sidelines, behind the foul line, or wherever the event requires him to remain to keep him from interfering with the sport itself. The sports photographer is likely to get better shots if he's familiar with the sport in question. Knowing the sport will better enable the photographer to place himself ahead of time for the great shot of the winning goal, the peak of the action, the heroic intercept. He must also be prepared to depress the shutter a moment before the actual event he wants to photograph — the camera will take a moment to release the shutter and expose the shot, so the photographer must be able to anticipate the action. Sports Photography EquipmentMost sports photographers use 35mm cameras because of their portability and, more important, their flexibility. The sports photographer has to use a fast shutter speed to freeze the action, or his photos will just be a blur of motion. In order to expose the film to sufficient light, he opens the aperture all the way to maximize the light. This practice has the secondary effect of reducing the depth of field — a short depth of field means that only a small part of the photo will be in sharp focus; the foreground and background will be unfocused, which helps to isolate the subject against what would otherwise be a busy background. |
|
|