Winter is finally here, and with it comes the opportunity to take some stunning winter sports photography. From ice skating to skiing and snowboarding, winter sports offer a myriad of photographic opportunities. Taking great photos of these sports, however, is no mean feat. It takes skill, patience and practice to capture these moments. In this article, we’ll look at some best practices for taking fantastic winter sports photographs, covering everything from the equipment you’ll need, the best angles and lighting, and tips for capturing movement.
Equipment
The first and most essential consideration when taking action photos of winter sports is your equipment. High quality camera bodies with fast shooting rates are a basic requirement for top-notch winter sports photography. While you can capture stunning action shots with a smartphone, an action-specific mirrorless or DLSR camera with an array of fast lenses will significantly up your photography game. Optical image stabilization is one of the most important features to look for in a lens, as this feature will help to reduce any blurring caused by your hand motion.
You’ll also need a good telephoto lens to capture the action from a distance. A long focal length (such as 200mm+) will help you to get close-up shots of the athletes, while a lens with a wide aperture will give you stunning background separation and bokeh. A monopod or portable tripod can be handy when taking action shots, as these accessories will help you keep your camera steady while shooting.
Angles and Lighting
Getting the right angle is key to capturing stunning images of winter sports. A low angle can help you capture the energy and intensity of the sport, while an overhead shot can help to convey the speed and agility of the athletes. In addition to the angle, it’s also important to consider the lighting. Winter sports often take place in icy conditions, and harsh lighting conditions can make the athletes appear overexposed and washed out in some situations. To counteract this, try to shoot in the early morning or late afternoon when the natural light is softer.
Additionally, consider using a flash to fill in shadows when shooting in difficult lighting conditions. It’s important to use an appropriate flash setting and to make sure that the flash doesn’t wash out the image. An off-camera flash with a softbox or diffuser can help to create natural-looking light to flatter your subjects. Finally, make sure to check the weather forecast when planning your shoot; cloudy skies can create a dull and uninteresting backdrop, while clear, blue skies can add vibrancy and drama to your photos.
Motion Capture
Capturing the motion of the athletes is a central element of winter sports photography. To achieve this, set your camera to a fast shutter speed and use the continuous shooting mode. This will give you the greatest chance of getting a clear and crisp shot even when the athletes are in motion. Consider using a pre-focusing technique to ensure a sharp focus on your subject. Aim to get the eyes of the athletes in focus and use a burst mode to capture them in action. Additionally, consider using a panning technique to capture the speed and fluidity of the sport. To do this, set your shutter speed to a lower setting and follow the movement of the athletes with your camera while taking the shot.
Editing and Post-Production
The final consideration when taking winter sports photography is editing and post-production. Raw photography files have a lot of potential for editing and post-processing in order to make the images truly pop. Consider boosting the saturation for bright and vibrant colours, or adjusting the contrast to help the athletes stand out from the background. Keep it subtle and avoid over-processing the images, as a natural-looking photo is often the most striking.
In conclusion, winter sports photography offers a fun and rewarding opportunity to capture the action and intensity of the athletes. To get the best results, consider using good quality equipment, capturing the right angle and lighting, and using the right techniques to capture the athletes in motion. Finally, don’t be afraid to get creative with your post-production to truly make your winter sports photos stand out. Good luck and happy shooting!