Tips & Tricks

Tip O' the Week: Stunning Sports Shots September means the start of school, a change of seasons and the beginning of youth sports.  It's time to get in gear—and get the right gear—so that your digital pictures accurately depict those amazing moments in motion. Here are just a few tips to help you get started shooting another season:  

• Get in Position:  Each sport has its own high-action moments, and some of these moments can be anticipated, allowing you to position yourself with your camera.  For example, if you want a great shot of your child running to first base, find a location behind first base so that you're in a position to capture his expression rather than his back when he's running.

• Survey Your Landscape:  If possible, take a few minutes to walk around the area of play and check angles in your camera's viewfinder.  What angles are interesting to you? Have you discovered a new location that might create some unique images?
• Keep Yourself Steady:  One of the keys to great sports photography is making sure your camera is stable, and a monopod provides that added stability while allowing you to remain mobile.  A monopod is lighter than a tripod and allows you to move quickly and easily—a necessity when taking sports-action shots.