Don’t just shoot photos…tell a story!
Written by Mike on January 27, 2009 – 3:33 pm -Shooting a sporting event is very exciting. Whether you are a professional or just a proud parent; it is hard not to get caught up in the action. Knowing this, you have to sometimes take a step back and look at a more complete picture of what you are doing. You are telling a story. The story is a tale of what happened on that day, that time and at that event.
Cheering for Uncle John!
To tell a complete story you are going to need more that just shots of what happened during play. Shots like these are sometimes referred to as “safeties”. For most pro sports shooters, a safety shot is something that is the first thing they do at an event. A safety is a shot or shots that constitute enough coverage to complete their assignment for the media outlet they are shooting for. Although this is something mostly practiced by professionals, the same can also apply if you are taking shots of your son or daughter’s team in action.
A safety can include shots of the crowd, close-up face shots, cheerleaders, coaches and more. Safeties also focus on light action or slow time shots. Things like this include shots of players waiting for a face-off in hockey, setting for a jump-ball in basketball, prior to the start of a race, athletes listening to instructions from the coach or official and the list goes on. Some of the greatest shots in sports photography have come from a safety. Often we find a hidden emotion in a close-up shot, the excitement in the crowd from a game winning shot or that sad looking cheerleader after the team lost in the final second.
Emotion sells almost as much as that amazing flat out catch in baseball or the almost unreal contortion of a gymnast in routine. Never sell short the value of a good non-action shot.
Know your sport and follow the flow of the game. In times where the action is at a lull, take some shots as mentioned. Look around, be curious and remember that YOU are the one telling the story. If you come back from your son or daughter’s soccer game with 120 shots of Johnny or Susie kicking the ball, you will lose your audience very quickly. If on the other hand you make a slide show for your 47 inch HD TV and play 120 photos of the game as it unfolded with shots of parents cheering, the officials explaining things to the kids, the coach giving instruction, the kids on the sideline going nuts after a goal or any other shot that helps tell the story…you will look like a genius!
Just remember to keep an open mind, a keen eye and study your sport to know how to follow and how to ensure you get your shots.
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