Looking for inspiration to ace your next action shot? Try these tips on taking medal-worthy photos offered by 8 top sports photographers.
Athletes become legends because of the stories and images we pass down from one generation to the next. We know Willy Mays caught that ball in the 1954 World Series because photographer Frank Hurley immortalized the moment. We remember that in 1965 Muhammad Ali yelled at Sonny Liston to “get up and fight” because Neil Leifer captured it on film. We’re awed by Michael Jordan’s resilience every time we see that one photo where he’s leaning on teammate Scottie Pippen after playing with the flu in the 1997 NBA Finals—later nicknamed “The Flu Game.”
We asked eight master sports photographers to tell us about their iconic photos. Their sports range from swimming to soccer, stock car racing to surfing. They cover gymnastics, baseball, track and field. They’ve photographed historic matches, game-changing moments, and Olympic history in the making. Below, they share their tips for making that once-in-a-lifetime shot.
1. “I would not survive in sports photography without back button focus.”
Petr Toman
Image by Petr Toman. Gear: Canon EOS-1D X Mark II camera, Canon EF 200-400mm f/4,0 L IS USM lens. Settings: Focal length 350mm; exposure 1/1250 sec; f4; ISO 2500.
Tell us about your most intense action shot.
One of the amazing things about sports photography is capturing moments that you would otherwise miss because they happen so fast. The possibility of freezing the action results in incredible images.
The Rio Olympics was full of stories and possibilities for capturing sports you’ve never seen live. Artistic gymnastics was one of those for me. The speed of the girls was incredible, and you really have to be fast with your focus. Seeing Simone Biles’s performance and watching her win the gold was breathtaking.
The main task at the Olympics is capturing the athletes with the Olympics logo or the circles. I love this picture, where Biles gives a kiss to the Rio logo upside down.
Pro Tip:
I would not survive in sports photography without back button focus. If anyone wants to try to shoot sports, this is one of the main things you should learn. From a gear perspective, sports is the most expensive kind of photography, but a 70-200 2.8 is a great lens to start with.
The most important lesson I learned is “Come early, leave late.” Sometimes photographers leave very early under the pressure of delivering images to agencies, and they miss a very interesting shot. Coming early means you can grab some prep images and some details and double check your settings.
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Where do you find inspiration for your photography?
Ever since I started to learn photography I’ve been deconstructing every interesting image I see. I find inspiration in the work of people who have been doing this job for many years and have some great sports pictures, like Scott Kelby and Dave Black. I also follow all the top events on Twitter.
2. “I take numerous shots as I watch for conflict between players who are fighting for the ball…so I can capture the emotions of the moment.”
Keeton Gale
Image by Keeton Gale. Gear: Canon EOS 60D camera, Canon EF Lens, 100-400 mm lens. Settings: Focal length 200mm; exposure 1/160 sec; f10; ISO 200.
Tell us about your most intense action shot.
This photo was taken in San Diego at Petco Park, where I was shooting from the camera well beside the Padres dugout. It was an exciting day since my little brother (Rocky Gale) was playing for the Padres. It is a thrill to photograph major league baseball, especially when it involves my brother.
Pro Tip:
Usually, I am surrounded by other photographers from news outlets, so I find I have to be very persistent in my approach to photography. Especially when it comes to getting to an event early and finding a good position with my gear so that I can get the best shot. I take numerous shots as I watch for conflict between players who are fighting for the ball or sliding into home so I can capture the emotions of the moment.
Image by Keeton Gale.
Where do you find inspiration for your photography?
While attending a Seattle Mariners baseball game at the Kingdome with my dad at the age of three, I fell off a flight of stairs and I sustained a traumatic head injury. Because I was unable to participate in sports in my teens, photography gave me an outlet as I grew up in a sports-minded family. I became the family photographer, as I documented each of my siblings’ sports activities. From there, I have been encouraged by other photographers in my community to pursue sports photography as more than a hobby.
3. “You need to know every single function of the camera and how it works.”
Christian Bertrand
Image by Christian Bertrand Gear: Nikon D610 camera, Nikon 70-200 VR f/2.8 lens. Settings: Focal length 200mm; exposure 1/640 sec; f4; ISO 200.
Tell us about your most intense action shot.
This was a bicycle kick by Neymar in one of his last matches with the FC Barcelona shirt. It was at Mestalla Stadium in Valencia. It’s a pretty special shot because a clear bicycle kick, the most spectacular action in football, is really hard to see—even a single time in a full season.
For this match, I focused my attention on Neymar because it was at Valencia’s Stadium, where he is always insulted by the spectators—extra motivation for a magical player with hot blood. Something magic, or tragic, had to happen. It’s a very fast move and I was able to catch it thanks to the concentration and the high-speed shooting.
Pro Tip:
My best advice if you want to become a sports photographer is a single word: technique. There are a lot of photography disciplines that don’t require technique or gear, but you can’t be a sports photographer with just creativity. You have to be able to capture, with perfect sharpness, a fleeting scene. You need to know every single function of the camera and how it works.
It’s important to always shoot in RAW format to be able to change the white balance. The light temperature is different in every stadium, and sometimes the light bulbs are combined with the last hours of natural light. It has to be meticulously adjusted afterward to show the colors in their real tone.
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Where do you find inspiration for your photography?
I found inspiration for my photography in every artist who shows an unhealthy obsession with technique, like the movie director David Fincher.
4. “Do not forget to adjust your camera settings when the light changes outdoors during a match, a game or a race.”
Leonard Zhukovsky
Image by Leonard Zhukovsky. Gear: Canon EOS-1D X Mark II camera, EF200-400mm f/4L IS USM lens. Settings: Exposure 1/1600 sec; f5.6; ISO 3200.
Tell us about your most intense action shot.
I took this image of Michael Phelps on August 8th, 2016 at the Olympic Aquatics Stadium in Rio de Janeiro. I was shooting swimming for the first time!
Pro Tip:
Understand the sport you are planning to shoot. Arrive early, and plan for the types of images you might get from different shooting positions. Do not forget to adjust your camera settings when the light changes outdoors during a match, a game, or a race. And have fun!
Image by Leonard Zhukovsky.
Where do you find inspiration for your photography?
My main motivation is making sure I live up to the phrase “A picture is worth a thousand words.” I always strive to take the most interesting photos, and I try to capture the action and drama of any given moment. I love the thrill of traveling the world in search of the greatest athletes doing what they do best. Whether it’s tennis, basketball, swimming, or any other sport, I can’t wait to try something new and bring fans of the sport along for the ride. I really look forward to exploring winter sports during the 2018 Winter Olympic Games.
5. “While you’re waiting for your shot, be cognizant of your camera settings and be prepared to change them at a moment’s notice.”
Walter G. Arce (Action Sports Photography)
Image by Walter G. Arce (Action Sports Photography). Gear: Canon EOS-1D Mark III camera, EF200mm f/2L IS USM lens. Settings: Focal length 200mm; exposure 1/1000 sec; f5.6.
Tell us about your most intense action shot.
This photo was taken at the NASCAR race in Talladega, Alabama in April 2009. While covering this assignment, I was preparing to photograph the checkered flag when I saw the 99 car get hit by another race car as they were racing for the checkered flag. I carefully followed the 99 car as I saw that it was moving out of control. I was concentrating on focusing the camera and panning, so I never really saw the sequence of the car crashing into the stands.
Pro Tip:
The tip I would give to any photographer trying to shoot professional sports is that you have to be ready for the unexpected. Always think ahead of what’s happening and be ready to capture the moment. In stock car racing, nothing is really normal. Always prepare yourself to capture something that will happen in a split second.
While you’re waiting for your shot, be cognizant of your camera settings and be prepared to change them at a moment’s notice. While doing all of this you have to remember that this is a dangerous sport and if you’re not careful it will hurt you. But once you are comfortable with your surroundings and your abilities, stock car racing images can be very powerful.
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Where do you find inspiration for your photography?
My inspiration for photography came from my background as a United States Marine. I was able to take photos as a crew chief on UH-1N Huey helicopters in different locations around the world. Having the ability to serve my country and photograph things normal people would never see gave me so much inspiration to always do my best and get a photograph that can tell a story.
6. “Find what you are passionate about and then get out there, shoot, try new things, and keep working at it.”
Brian A. Witkin
Image by Brian A. Witkin. Gear: Nikon D600 camera, Sigma 500mm lens. Settings: Exposure 1/500 sec; f6.3; ISO 250.
Tell us about your most intense action shot.
I was shooting the Mavericks Invitational Surfing Contest in Half Moon Bay, CA, in January of 2013. The surf was big, around 25-30 feet. Everything lined up right, and I was down the line right when Peter Mel, the contest winner, got a really nice closeout barrel.
I got the shot by being patient and spending the entire day out in the water, along with a little bit of luck at being positioned in the right place at the right time. Back home in San Diego the shot was used for a full page print image in one of our bigger local magazines, the San Diego Reader, too!
Pro Tip:
Gear doesn’t matter that much in my opinion. Find what you are passionate about and then get out there, shoot, try new things, and keep working at it.
Image by Brian A. Witkin.
Where do you find inspiration for your photography?
I’ve been into photography and most things creative all my life. When I was 10 or 11 years old my dad set up a darkroom for me and I’ve been inspired ever since.
7. “Only experience and a self-critical approach can help you to improve your skills significantly.”
Oleksandr Osipov
Image by Oleksandr Osipov. Gear: Canon 1D X camera, Canon EF 400mm f/2.8L IS II USM lens. Settings: Exposure 1/1250 sec; f3.2; ISO 3200.
Tell us about your most intense action shot.
One of my most memorable photos is the “bicycle kick” by French football player Kevin Gameiro. It was captured at the UEFA Europa League semi-finals football (soccer) match in Spain between Sevilla FC and FC Shakhtar Donetsk on May 5th, 2016.
It took both luck and experience to take it because the zoom was too tight, but I got a very high-quality image with a totally blurred background as a reward. Another important thing was the speed of the camera. The action happened quickly, and even with a very fast shutter speed I got only two frames of this moment.
Pro Tip:
The main thing is to understand the philosophy of the sport. You should know not only the main rules but also the style of the athletes and the teams you shoot. You should be able to predict their behavior. When it comes to gear, you need fast cameras and a wide variety of lenses, from ultra-wide to super telephoto lenses. In most cases I use two cameras at the same time with two totally different lenses to cover the event from completely different points of view.
Shooting sports is not simply about catching the impressive action of a moment. It’s also about conveying the emotions and atmosphere of your event. And for sure the main thing is experience. Only experience and a self-critical approach can help you to improve your skills significantly.
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Where do you find inspiration for your photography?
It might sound corny, but my main inspiration is just to enjoy the sports. Usually all the best sports photographers are present at the biggest tournaments, so I explore plenty of photos from these events to get inspired. I review reports from the FIFA World Cup, the UEFA Champions League, the English Premier League, and the German Bundesliga to keep up with new trends in football (soccer) photography. I regularly view photos from the NBA to get inspired while shooting basketball matches. And also my advice is to explore different genres of photography. Other genres inspire me to bring something new to my sports photo shoots.
8. “You should have the right settings, be ready, and wait until the right point to take your shot.”
Evren Kalinbacak
Image by Evren Kalinbacak. Gear: Canon EOS 6D camera, Canon EF 70-200 f/2.8 L IS II USM lens. Settings: Focal length 110mm; exposure 1/640 sec; f2.8; ISO 2500.
Tell us about your most intense action shot.
I took this shot during the Turkish Athletic Federation Indoor Athletics Record Attempt Races in at the Aslı Çakır Alptekin Athletics Arena in Istanbul. The athletes really put in the effort to show themselves in these races so it is an opportunity to take nice shots.
Pro Tip:
Timing seems to be the most important thing in sports photography, but it’s a process. First of all you should know your gear’s limitations and plan accordingly. The place where you choose to stand is important. You should be looking for the best place to capture the athlete’s best moment and you also need to be careful about the background, which will bring out the athlete. You should also be careful and aware of your own as well as the athletes’ safety.
Know the rules of your sport and know the best athletes. During races this is important because they usually give the best photos, so you should focus on them.
Lighting is another important issue. I use manual settings, and I’m ready to change them quickly according to the lighting and angle. If I photograph a jump, for example, I use a faster shutter speed, but if I’m photographing running from the side I prefer a slower shutter speed. The white balance is also important in sports halls where they use unnatural lighting.
Concentrate. You should have the right settings, be ready, and wait until the right point to take your shot.
Image by Evren Kalinbacak.
Where do you find inspiration for your photography?
Athletes are my inspiration because they have so much concentration. They need to work continuously to stay in shape, which is like the photographer’s experience.
Top Image by Walter G. Arce (Action Sports Photography)
