Many athletes come home with remarkable photos of their outdoors adventures and misadventures. These are some of their tricks.
Equipment
SLR- Better cameras take better pictures. Invest in a mid to high-end SLR (single-lens reflex) camera such as the Nikon D40 or D60, or a Digital Rebel EOS XSi or XTi. Today's digital SLRs create high-quality, high-resolution shots in a multitude of settings and modes. Many brands are comparable in price and most cameras in similar price ranges match up well in head-to-head comparisons. Plus, digital SLRs will produce fantastic, professional photography results in the outdoors.
Point and Shoot- Point and shoot cameras are very packable, lightweight and take extraordinarily clear photographs. However, they limit one’s ability to add lenses and filters that enhance the quality and effects of outdoor picture-taking. If a point and shoot is the only camera available, experiment with the tips listed below that do not pertain to attaching filters, and fantastic outdoor sporting photos can still be achieved.
Tripod- Utilize a tripod for ultra-clear shots when a scenic panorama is involved. Tripods eliminate those out-of-focus shots caused by unsteady hands. Fatigue, hard breathing, adrenaline jitters…tripods work wonders for all of these problems posed by athletes taking photographs in the field.
Fly fishing, trail running, kayaking…these outdoor activities often take place in very photogenic settings. Utilizing a tripod combined with the proper camera settings can capture beautiful, crystal-clear images, focusing on both the subject and the background if one chooses. Tripods come in various sizes and weights. Get one that’s ultra-packable and lightweight, and lugging it around will be nearly unnoticeable.
Polarizer- Circular polarized filters virtually eliminate the glare and reflection caused by the sun bouncing off of water and particles in the atmosphere. Polarized filters turn ultra-bright rivers into see-through water wonderlands. And when the sky appears hazy and dull on the brightest of days, a polarized lens will transform the sky into an exquisite, cobalt blue.
Camera Settings
There are many modes to choose from on most digital cameras. Determining the desired effect of a photograph is the first order of business. Reading the manual that comes with the camera is highly recommended for familiarizing oneself with modes and settings. But to break it down in the simplest of terms, try experimenting with the follow tips when taking outdoor sporing pictures.
- For a focused subject in the foreground and a blurred background (this makes the subject stand out dramatically against the setting), set the camera dial on “Portrait” (usually this is a picture of a female’s head), focus the camera on the subject, and take the shot.
- For a focused background and a blurred subject, (this is great for trail running pictures or action shots where the setting is clear but the runner or subject appears to be streaking past), set the dial on “TV” mode, adjust the exposure time to 0"3 (1/3 of a second) depending on time of day and amount of sunlight. Focus on the background as the runner passes through the shot. Utilize a tripod for this technique, and experiment with the exposure length till the shot is perfectly composed.
- For a simultaneously-focused subject and background, (this is good for capturing a fly fisher in a river in an alpine mountain setting), set the dial to “Landscape” mode, focus on the angler, and take the shot.
Get some quality camera gear. Following these basic tips. Experiment with camera settings, angles, composition, and time of day. Combining these tips and techniques will greatly-enhance any outdoor photographer's sporting adventures.
Chad McPhail - My name is W. Chad McPhail. I teach high school English, Creative Writing, Publishing, and Journalism. In 2007 I was elected Teacher of ...
