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Smartphones may not be dedicated cameras, but if you know which one to buy or how to use the one you currently have, you may use it to capture time-stopping images at sporting events. These pointers will bring you closer to the action and ensure that everything is caught in clear detail, whether it be at a tennis tournament or your child’s sevens rugby game. You may capture your friends and family’s snowboarding, skiing, and stand-up paddleboarding moments with sports photography.
Sports photography is a strong skill that may be used in a variety of situations. Imagine yourself enjoying a once-in-a-lifetime experience while watching a football game. You pull out your phone to record your favorite player about to score a fantastic goal because you think it’s about to happen, but you don’t know the settings. You can only make out a very faint outline of the player after the goal is scored. We mentioned below are the ways to take sports photography on smartphone.
Ways to take sports photography on smartphone
Find a different angle
At sporting events, most photographers will shoot from the same angle, so think of ways to differentiate your images. Perhaps you could lie on the ground and shoot from a low angle? Or get a symmetrical composition of the players from a high spot? Often it’s better to shoot from the side of the field rather than behind the goal.
You can also try using different focal lengths. If you’re using an interchangeable lens camera, a telephoto lens like the Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS II USM will get you closer to the action, and its built-in image stabilization will help you avoid shaking.
Set your continuous shooting mode
Most of the time you take single shots, but when you’re photographing action-packed sports like rugby or soccer, you want to have the best chance of capturing the most spectacular moments. That’s why sports photographers shoot in burst or continuous mode.
To activate this mode, go to the Drive Modes menu on your camera. Sometimes there is a dial on the top plate of your camera that allows direct control; otherwise, you’ll find the drive modes in your camera’s menu system. Single-shot mode is represented on the dial by a single rectangular frame, continuous shooting by multiple frames.
Most cameras are capable of capturing between 5 and 12 frames per second when set to burst mode. This allows you to review your photos at the end and find the one that best captures the moment, such as the goalie making a spectacular save.
Use Auto White Balance
Your camera’s automatic white balance does an excellent job of reproducing accurate tones and colors. Whether you’re shooting a game during the day or at night, it’s best to use auto white balance and let your camera automatically adjust to changing light conditions. Using your AWB setting also allows you to focus on composition and anticipate key moments.
To activate your automatic white balance, there’s usually a WB button on the back of your camera, or on your LCD screen if it’s touch-sensitive. By pressing this button, you can scroll through the options.
Shoot JPEGs
Photographers are often told to shoot in RAW, or JPEG + RAW, but in sports photography this basic rule is often ignored. Many photographers who shoot in burst mode (photojournalists, sports photographers, and wildlife photographers, in particular) shoot JPEGs because your camera typically captures more frames per second in JPEG than in RAW.
RAW files are larger and contain more data, and on some cameras they take longer to clear your camera’s buffer. JPEGs are smaller files, which means your camera can write them to your memory card faster and capture more moments. It’s likely that your camera takes JPEG photos by default. If you haven’t changed this setting, you can do so. Even when shooting JPEGs in continuous shooting mode, shoot in short bursts – press the shutter for one to two seconds and release it. If you hold the shutter down too long, the buffer will fill up and slow down your shooting speed.
Don’t just look at the players
The special feeling of watching a game is not limited to what happens when the game is at its peak. Try turning your camera toward the crowd to capture hopeful faces and creative outfits, or zoom in on players’ anxious expressions or their arms around each other just before the game kicks off.
If you’re using an interchangeable lens camera, a lens like the Canon EF-S 55-250 f/4-5.6 IS STM is a good choice for this type of shot, as its focal length allows you to get a wide enough view of the field, while focusing on specific players or following the action.
Final Words
So here we conclude our article on how to take sports photography on smartphone. Whether you’re a die-hard follower of professional sports or the parent of a young athlete, you’ll occasionally want to record action-packed moments with your camera. Do you need a high-end DSLR for sports photography, or will your phone camera suffice? You might be surprised by how adeptly your phone captures images of sporting events and fast-moving objects.