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by Yvette Depaepe

Sports shooting can be one of the most challenging types of photography, even to the most  advanced photographer. The slightest mistake can ruin a shot. On the other side, with sports, one get a lot of chances to capture an image with great impact. There’s a built-in drama unlike any other subject one comes across.

 

One of the biggest issues to start is the equipment. It is extremely difficult to take good sports photos without an SLR and long lenses. It also helps if those long lenses are fast. You're looking at a pretty large investment.  There are no hard and fast rules, but if you don’t have a lens with at least 200mm of reach, you’ll probably get stocked.

There are two main divisions when it comes to sports: good lighting and bad lighting. Examples of sports with good lighting are daytime sports. Examples of sports with bad lighting are night or indoors sports. Artificial light just isn’t as good as our trusty old sun.

Fast shutter speeds also are crucial to getting clear action shots.
Experimenting with slower shutter speeds is fine and can result in gorgeous motion shots, but that is a totally different and more arty vision on sports.
Another thing to consider is using your camera’s “continuous drive” facility. It means that you don’t have to be absolutely precise in your timing, which is good when things are moving quickly.

Access is important.
One of the other things to consider is how close you’ll be to the action.
That doesn’t mean, however, that sitting in the stands will ruin any chances you have of getting that magic frame. But if you can get down on the floor, then go for it.

Focus, focus, focus!!!
Auto-focus is a gift from the heavens. There are a few basic AF settings that can yield dramatic improvements. This is where being familiar with your camera and manual come in handy.

Don't just shoot the action. Sometimes the most dramatic photo is found after the big play.
Athletes are people too, they show emotion, capture it!

I hope you will enjoy this gallery of amazing sports photographs by 1x members.  
All are outstanding exceptional and show many emotions.

 

BALL SPORTS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TENNIS

 

 

 

 

BIKING

 

 

 

 

MOTORCYCLING / RALLY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 ATHLETICS

 

 

 

 

 

 

FENCING

 

 

 

 

BOXING

 

 

 

 

SKI

 

 

 

 

WATER SPORTS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HORSES

 

 

 

  

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