Sports photography is all about freezing those adrenaline-pumping moments in time! If you’ve got the basics down and you’re ready to learn more, check out this intermediate photography course for teens on how to capture the action.
Love sports? Maybe you’re a big fan and watch the game whenever you can. Or maybe you like taking photos of your friends or siblings while they’re playing. Whatever your reason for wanting to get into sports photography, we’ve got tips to help you take amazing pics!
Best Sports Photography Camera Settings
When it comes to sports photography, getting the right camera settings can make all the difference! Every intermediate photography course for teens will teach photography settings, but it’s a little different for action shots.
For fast-paced action shots, choose a high shutter speed (1/1000 or so) to freeze the action and avoid getting a blurry photo. In most cases, because you’ll be outdoors or in a well-lit arena, you don’t need to worry about your shutter speed—use the “shutter speed priority” mode.
Also consider using the burst setting (or continuous shooting mode) on your camera. This allows you to hold the shutter down and capture many pictures one after the other. It’s an excellent way to make sure you don’t miss the important moment!
Intermediate Photography for teens – Tips for Taking Excellent Sports Photos
The speed of sports photography might seem scary at first. But practice these tips and you’ll soon be taking sports pictures like a pro… Nobody will believe you’ve only taken an intermediate photography course for teens!
Get Low
You can shoot the action from straight-on. But if you get below the action, it makes everything look a bit more impressive! The football players look bigger and more intimidating. The snowboarder looks like he jumped higher. Get low where you can!
Taking photos from a low angle makes the subjects look more impressive. If you take them straight on, they look quite normal. And if you take them from above, it makes the subjects look smaller!
Shoot the WHOLE Action
All photography classes for teens will tell you to capture the moment when the action happens. But not all of them will tell you how to take a great photo series—to shoot the event from start to finish, including what happens before and after the “action”.
Take a look at the photos below. You have the rider waiting to start, then the “action”, then a more chilled picture of him afterwards. This shows a complete picture of the sporting event—not just in the exciting moment!
Capture the Non-Sportspeople
One reason an intermediate photography course for teens is better than a beginner class is because it trains you to look at the bigger picture. Of course, when you’re taking photos of sport, you WILL get amazing pictures of the people playing the sport.
But don’t forget everyone else! There may be a referee or umpire, judges, linesmen, and of course, the crowd. There’s not just action on the field, or the track, or in the ring… Take pictures of the excitement of the audience too!
Every person plays a part in creating the energy of a sporting event. Make sure you capture some non-sportspeople as well as the players so you have a well-rounded picture of the game.
Capture the Signs of Action
You don’t always have to capture the action… Sometimes, you can tell a story with your picture by capturing signs of the action.
Think of a splash made by a swimmer or the sand flying when a baseball player slides into base. Or the cloud of dust as a motorbike comes around a corner. You don’t always need the full person in your picture—try to catch those signs!
Photograph the Feelings
When something exciting happens, take photos of those happy feelings! Sport is all about action and emotion, so make sure you capture the emotion too. Make sure you catch the facial expressions of the participants in tense moments and victorious moments, but don’t forget the emotions of the crowd too!
Catch the moment when a team scores and celebrates. Or when one person is really pushing themself hard to do better, run faster, or beat someone else. Even the moments when it’s really close! Every emotion counts and adds to the excitement and interest of the game.
Don’t Forget the Quiet Moments
Photography classes for teens might teach you to hone in on the action, but make sure you capture the quiet moments too. This might be before the game officially starts, or during a break, or just when there’s a lull in the action, like between plays.
Photographing the more tranquil moments will also help to give you a well-rounded picture of the whole game. Try to capture a wide range of moments—preparation, mid-action, celebrations, quiet moments, pain, anticipation… All of these things bring something special to your photo album.
Amazing Sports Photographers
Taking an intermediate photography course for teens is an excellent way to improve your sports photography skills. But you’ll become an amazing photographer a LOT quicker if you study the work of great sports photographers and try to copy their style.
No photography classes for teens can give you the same level of fun and skill-building as experimenting on your own can! Check out these photographers and try to replicate their pictures.
- Cameron Look (basketball)
- Grant Brittain (skateboarding)
- Brad Mangin (baseball)
- Mike Lewis (swimming – protect your camera!)
- Claudio Villa (soccer)
- Richard Heathcote (mixed sports)
Enroll In Photography Classes for Teens
Our photography classes for teens will help you level up your photography game! If you need more info before doing an intermediate photography course for teens, you can start with one of our beginner’s courses and work your way up from there.
Sports photography can be one of the most fun ways to practice capturing fast-paced pictures! With a great photography course behind you and a willingness to experiment and try new things with your camera, you’ll become an excellent sports photographer in no time.
