Photography and sports go hand in hand. As any photography enthusiast will testify, finding the subject to work with can be one of the most challenging parts of the process. The subject itself must provide the raw materials for a good shot – while there is a great deal you can do as a photographer, it helps if your subject is interesting to begin with.

A number of photographers, both professional and amateur, choose to capture sporting moments on camera, striving for that perfectly lit iconic action shot. This type of photography has its own particular requirements, distinguished from portrait or music photography, for instance. But for the budding sports photographer on Football Sundays, what approach should you take to get the best shots?

photo by Ed Yourdon

Team Colors

The first test when it comes to photographing a football game is to choose which teams to photograph. Some games will be evenly matched, with few opportunities for that snap of glory.

Other games will have so much emotion riding on them, and it is the latter that makes for the best photographs. Think also about color for your composition – naturally, different sports teams play in different colors and designs of shirt, and this will be a major influence on how your photos eventually look. The Philadelphia Flyers hockey team, for instance, play in orange, black and white, which creates an interesting color palette for photographing an NHL game.

Consider also the contrast in color between both sides, and whether this clash makes for an interesting, visually engaging photography subject.

Can You Get Close Enough?

When you are photographing from inside the stadium, it is important to get as close as you possibly can to the action.

This is not always an easy process, particularly if there are already professional photographers field-side. To combat this problem, it is often recommended that you approach your photography with zoom lens that has a wide range like a 70-200mm, so you can home in on the action from wherever you are sitting.

A high quality zoom will allow for a cleaner, less distorted image, while ensuring you can get the best quality shots from wherever you are inside the arena.

The Right Equipment

It should go without saying that you need a high quality digital SLR camera for the best results. These cameras are intended for professionals and serious photographers, and they often come with a price tag to match. However, the investment in these cameras, which are now more affordable than ever before, means you can expect a more effortlessly high quality end product.

SLRs are the best camera type for catching action as it unfolds, and for giving a precision of image that isn’t available with lesser models. Of course, it is totally possible to take amazing sports photos using a mirrorless camera or even point & shoot cameras. It’s the person behind the camera that matters, not necessarily the camera itself.

Conclusion

Football Sundays create the perfect environment for capturing an iconic image with your camera. The colors, the vibrancy, the crowd, the action – it all makes for fascinating subjects for photographers, and can deliver fantastic photographs as a result.

However, you need to make sure you are using the right equipment for the job. Further, you need to ensure you are operating from a good vantage point in the stadium, and selecting the right areas of focus to achieve the most interesting, aesthetically pleasing shots possible.

Happy shooting!