SPORTS

Rapid-fire Action

Quintessential sports photography techniques may have been firmly established (and rarely bettered) by legendary trailblazers like Gerry Cranham in the 60s and 70s , but he could have only dreamt of the sort of options available to modern-day photographers looking for a perfectly-timed image. The latest mirrorless options offer full-resolution shooting at up to 30 frames per second, helping you capture that moment of magic in the match, that divebomb overtake on the track, or the exact moment your subject crests a wave. Autofocus just keeps getting faster, and newer cameras feature options like subject eye tracking and even vehicle tracking. Gigantic high resolution sensors offer tremendous detail and stunning low-light performance, and connectivity means you can get your shot up online in seconds.

With this sort of power at your fingertips, anticipating the action and focussing on your own style becomes the order of the day.

Focusing on focal length

Focal length can be very sport-dependent, where the perfect setup for a rugby match isn't necessarily going to cut it shooting basketball in a sports hall. Generally though, the most important lenses in a sports shooter's arsenal are a 24-70mm for establishing shots and a 70-200mm for reasonable zoom. Next on the list is a lengthy prime like a 300mm or 400mm to capture close ups from range without sacrificing blur and bokeh. Finally, if the lens is good enough, an extender can offer up even more versatility, providing focal length options across the board.

A matter of perspective

Veteran shooters will tell you that it doesn't matter what equipment you're using if you don't know how to compose an image, and this is as true with sports as any other stills discipline. The fast-paced nature of sports photography often means you'll need to frame up fast, go with your instincts, and point and shoot. Switching up your angles, getting down low if possible, can also change the fabric and feel of your photos, so experimenting beforehand is a pretty good idea. Thankfully with our service delivering kit the day before your shoot, you'll have time to get to grips with your setup and take a few test shots before you're called on for those unmissable moments.