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Get Out Of Your Seat |
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Volume 6, Number 7 |
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News Stanley is one of the speakers for the National Press Photographer's "Convergence 10" in Charleston, SC in July this year. Here is a link to the event. Stanley has a workshop for those who want to learn about how to do photography as a business. Here is a link to information on it http://www.stanleyleary.com/Workshops.htm In This Issue Get Out Of Your Seat
National Press Photographers Association University of Georgia University
of Nations, Kona, Hawaii Tips On Hiring A Photographer Digital Photography -- A Real
Stimulus Package Learning From The Masters Three Useful Doohickeys 300 PPI Come
Along Collaboration Public Speaking
for Communicators: How do people learn? Do Your Photos
Provide Context For Your Subject? Social Networking My Investment
Advice What about the
audience Teaching is a
great way to learn The Psychology of
the Telephoto Lens The Psychology of
the Wide-Angle Lens M-Audio Microtrack II This recorder lets you record in WAV or MP3 recording to compact flash card. Looking
for Microphone Think
Tank I have always used Nikon cameras and lenses through my career. They have a great line of cameras and lenses for any job. |
The other night I attended a lacrosse match at the local high school. I went as a spectator. This is rare for me to be at a sports event without my camera equipment. It was interesting to watch the parents photographing the game. A couple of them were on the sidelines, but the majority stayed in their seats in the stands. Everyone was shooting with digital cameras. From the simplest cameras to most professional equipment they all had similar focal length lenses that would zoom out to about 200 mm (equivalent on a 35 mm camera).
At this high school lacrosse match the parents were not being kept off the sidelines by anyone. They kept themselves back from the action! The difference between what each person was able to photograph varied greatly because of where they were in relationship to the action on the field. If you want better photos of your kids playing sports (or doing almost anything else) get as physically close to the action as you can. Of course, use some common sense and don’t get in the way of the game or the fans and in a safe spot for you as well. A famous war photographer said something that applies to sports photography just as it does to war photography. “If the pictures aren’t good enough, you’re not close enough.” Another key to improving your shots, besides getting out of your seat, is to hold your camera still. The longer the focal length the shakier it can become. Use a monopod. They sell for about $30. I like the Manfrotto Modo 790B Monopod. This will help keep your camera steady and improve the image sharpness. It is easier and faster to use than a tripod. Most folks stand up when taking pictures. It’s more comfortable than squatting or resting on your knees, but it doesn’t usually give you the best action shots. If you are low to the ground you are shooting up at the athletes. This actually makes them seem more heroic. Shooting from a low angle makes them appear higher off the ground than they are. Staying low on the sidelines is also courteous to the fans in the stands.
Another trick: Be where they are going – not where they are. Get down field and shoot back at the players. Now when the big play happens it is coming to you, not away plus you can see their facial expressions.
If the sport you are covering has a ball keep asking yourself this question: Where’s the ball? Most of the peak action, the strong expressions and the competition will be around the ball. This rule doesn’t apply to all your shots, but it is a good one to keep in mind. If you were covering football you would be on opposite ends of the field depending on if you are covering the offense or defensive players. You want to see the player’s faces and close as possible. The grimaces will show the intensity of the play.
With digital cameras you can take ten pictures, a hundred pictures or even a thousand pictures for about the same cost. So take lots of photos to capture the best moments. Your kids will probably play these sports for just a few years. Having good photos, in which they can recognize themselves, will be something they cherish for a lifetime. So get out of your seat and get close to the action. You (and your kids) will be glad you did. Let’s sum it up:
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