For many of us parents, there is no better Saturday activity than watching our little ones run up and down the field. If that’s the case, you probably have a lot of blurry pictures of the back of your child’s head.
With a few photography tips, you can make the pictures at your child’s next soccer match, baseball game or gymnastics meet worthy of framing.
The first key to taking good photos at your child’s sporting event is to get to know your digital camera better. Any digital camera can take decent action shots as long as you’re on the right setting. Be sure to look at the instruction manual that came with your camera and figure out the specific settings that are appropriate for fast moving action.
If you can’t find your instruction manual, you can generally use the make and model of your camera in an online search to pull up instructions from the manufacturer. Take the time of day into account when choosing a setting and the location of the sporting event as well. An indoor basketball game at night will have a different setting than shooting a soccer game outdoors in midmorning.
After you’ve gotten to know your camera with some test shots, you should choose a good location to stand in for your photos. Try to get in a good location with the sun or the major light sources to your back. This way you won’t get flashes in your shot and the player’s faces will be filled with the natural light source.
You can stand on the sidelines, or try standing near where the points are scored (the goal posts or the basket). Be sure to keep your own safety in mind and observe the rules of the referee.
Your pictures of the event should tell a story. Be sure to capture some establishing shots of the playing field or court, as well as the players warming up for their big game. Spectators, younger siblings playing near the field and the coach talking to the players are all great opportunities for good shots.
Remember to think outside of the box when you are shooting your kids’ sporting events. Take a picture of all the kid’s feet as they are meeting for the huddle before the game. Focus on your child’s hands as he or she grabs the ball, instead of trying to take a picture of the whole field. Looking at these small details will make your photography different from the ordinary.
The key to getting great pictures is to take lots and lots of pictures. Just keep shooting and you can find the best shots later on when you reviewing your memory card. Thanks to digital cameras, you don’t have to worry about wasting film on shots that don’t work. With digital photo editing software, you can even zoom in on your child’s face from a larger angle shot, so you don’t need to try to get a tight shot while he or she is in action.
With these tips, you’ll have memorable photos of your child’s sporting event.
By: Jamie Jefferson
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