The second of the 4 seminars I am teaching is by far the most popular. Kids Sports Photography is a basic level class that was inspired by my family and friends needing advice on how to photograph their kids during the sports season.
Timing is everything – Kids Sports photography:
Join this session for tips on how to capture action as it happens. Indoors or outdoors, we'll discuss the importance of light when photographing any sport. Discover how anticipation, panning focus, and multiple bust modes will decrease the number of missed shots and blurry photos. There is a difficult aspect with sports photography in the fact that each sport has its own difficulties. My goal is to give you the tools to approach your sports photography the correct way. In return, you'll capture more consistent, better photographs.
After talking to several people, I realized that the hardest part about sports photography for beginners is that everything happens so fast, and there is so much to set up in camera to get the best results. The best thing you can do here is to set up as much as possible before hand knowing once you found settings that work, they will not change as long as your location doesn't change. I start in a Shutter-speed Priority Mode, and move to Manual Exposure once I know my exposure values. In this class, you will learn how to set up your camera.
Shutter speed is the biggest issue. With outdoor events, there is plenty of light for fast shutter speeds. I recommend using a longer focal length for the best results; my favorite is Tamron's SP 70-300mm VC USD lens. Its affordable, fast, and incredibly sharp!
Tamron SP 70-300mm VC USD @ F6.3, 1/1000 sec, ISO200
Indoor events propose this shutter speed challenge. I start with a 1/250 sec, the lowest F-stop I can, and a rather high ISO setting. 1/250 sec is just about right for basketball, wrestling or volleyball. If your kids are older OR you have a faster sport like gymnastics or hockey, you will need more speed, F2.8 optics and a newer camera sensor are essential for the best results.
Tamron SP 70-200mm F2.8 VC USD @ F2.8, 1/250 sec, ISO1000
Another quick tip is to shoot compositionally loose. I generally shoot horizontally, with my subject in the middle for the best autofocus tracking. Compositionally this is not ideal, but with current technology I can safely crop out up to half of the photograph and still make 11x14 enlargements. Use classic Rule of Thirds ideas for dramatic photographs.
Tamron SP AF 70-300mm VC USD @ F8, 1/800 sec, ISO 100
The most important thing I can mention is, get there early and be prepared. Talk to your kids about running plays so you know the action before it happens. Take a look at the field/court/arena for your best place to photograph. Get to know the team and coach so they will be more willing to let you photograph the team. If you are in the same place often, take notes of the school and your exposure settings. If it worked last time, it will work this time and these values will give you a starting place.
Thank you for reading. Check out Tamron's event page for exact times and locations. http://www.tamron-usa.com/events/

