5 Professional sports photography tips to help elevate your action shots

Photographs have the power to reshape sport. They can help us see the world differently, turn athletes back into people, and capture moments that go on to hold significant cultural importance. And guess what? Most of the most incredible sports action shots were taken by professionals who had mastered their craft rather than amateurs who just got lucky.

If you’re developing your professional sports photography career and want to know how to take action shots that stop people in their tracks, this article is for you. Learn how to elevate your action shots from athletics to wrestling in this handy guide.  

1. Embrace The Potential Of Editing Tools

It’s all about finding the perfect moment in a sports match – and snapping it. But the nature of sports photography means you’re dealing with constantly fluctuating subjects who are moving around, changing speeds and switching directions at the click of a camera. 

You should view editing as an equally important part of your photography process as capturing the immediate action. This is especially true in loud, busy environments where you might not have time to find the perfect settings when an opportunity presents itself in front of you. Once you’ve got the raw photography material, resize images using quality photo editing software so that you can zoom in and make precise changes – without reducing the resolution. 

Sharpen up lines and reduce blur and colour grade to create a more striking image. Note that we’re not talking about photoshopping athletes. It would be best if you stuck to authenticity to create a compelling final photo, but an unintentionally blurry action shot won’t look so great in an exhibition. However, artistically edited shots can also make for great sports photography if the edits are used to push the boundaries of the discipline, as with any other artistic medium.

2. Experiment With Creative Angles

One of the reasons sports photography is so compelling is that it offers fans an opportunity to see their favourite game or athlete portrayed in a different way. Spectators usually enjoy sports by following the ‘overall picture’—their eyes scan an entire pitch, stadium, or TV screen and follow the progress of a match or competition as an event rather than a series of individual moments.

Poised with your camera, you can capture the underbelly of that sport – be it cricket, football or something entirely different. Try to avoid generic landscape shots and instead ‘zoom in’ on what you find interesting, perhaps something that’s often not paid too much attention to.

Shooting from below and facing up at athletes will make them appear more opposing and powerful. If you’re shooting at a live sports match, use the crowd as part of your ‘foliage’ to give depth to your sporting subject.

3. Tell A Story Through The Lens

Why do people love sport, whether as a participant or a spectator? Is it the thrill of the challenge, the love of competition, or the adrenalin of being involved in a group activity? Before you start shooting, ask yourself what it is you’re trying to capture beyond the subjects in the frame. A photograph that holds a compelling narrative will garner more attention than a perfectly structured frame of an empty pitch.

Close-ups that show every line of concentration and bead of sweat on an athlete’s face will give the spectator an insight into the psyche of the individual at their most focused. Consider getting your action shots ‘either side’ of the game itself, such as capturing the atmosphere in a locker room (if you can get permission to document a team), or celebrations after a big win. 

It’s not just the athletes you should focus on either. Vendors, fans, coaches, parents, adjudicators and even stadium architecture all contribute to the sports community and atmosphere. Not only will representing them draw interest from a larger crowd, but it will also help you paint a fuller picture that goes beyond a score sheet.

4. Use A Faster Shutter Speed & Continuous Shooting

You probably already know the basics when it comes to professional sports photography, but if you haven’t yet, get comfortable with shooting at a faster shutter speed (1/1000th of a second or faster). This will help capture crisp, clear images without motion blur, which is crucial for a striking image that freezes a stroke of time. 

You’ll have to experiment to find the perfect shutter speed for each sport, as tennis and golf swings encounter less fast-paced movements than horse racing or track events.

You’re likely dealing with constantly moving subjects, so continuous shooting in auto-focus mode allows your camera to adjust focus constantly as athletes move across the frame. This will not only up your chances of capturing the perfect shot but also give you plenty of material to work with in the editing room.

5. Become More Familiar With The Sport

Whether you’re concentrating on one sport or widening your portfolio to capture many, it’s vital you have a thorough understanding of how the game works. You don’t need to have the same talent as the athletes you’re capturing, but you should hold a similar level of knowledge of the rules, strategy and history to rival the most attentive fans. 

That means taking time to observe the games and competitions you’re shooting, rather than going straight in with your camera. If you’re photographing the same teams and players, learn their dynamics, their tactics and their body language.

Over time, you’ll pick up on minuscule cues that something bold is about to happen – whether it’s a player going for a goal, a trick shot you absolutely can’t miss, or facial expressions at pivotal game moments. Paying attention to your surroundings is equally as important as keeping your eyes fixed on the lens.

Elevated Sports Photography: In The Net

With these tips, we’ve given you some advice on elevating your action shots in professional sports photography. In a nutshell, here’s how you can take your work to the next level:

• Don’t be afraid to edit your photos to reach their full potential
• Use different angles to capture novel perspectives
• Think about the narrative you want to convey
• Use a fast shutter speed and continuous shooting
• Develop a deeper understanding of the sport
• Pay attention to and utilise your surroundings
• Understand that action shots can take place ‘off the pitch’ too

Approaching sports photography as a holistic concept that extends far beyond the game itself will immediately improve your work and help you develop a signature style that captures the essence of a sport in its most iconic and defining moments.