The Photographic Eye: Learning to See with a Camera by Michael O'Brien

Author:Michael O'Brien
Language: eng
Format: epub

Assignment: Photograph any sports event, outdoors if at all possible (so you won't need to use a flash).

Goal: Photographs of sports events are very common. Unfortunately, most of them are pretty bad. Your job is to get some good ones.

Tips: Be sure the center of interest is clearly isolated, either by cropping or by using shallow depth-of-field, or both. You'll generally get the best results by moving in close and/or shooting from a low or high point of view. Be very aware of what's going on in the background.

In group sports, such as football, try to get a mixture of individual and group shots. Alternate among one player, the team, one fan, the sideline crowd, etc.

Look at faces. Look at what bodies are doing: the strain of a weight-lifter's arms, for example. The most important information and expression is not necessarily in the face.

Try to give particular attention to a specific quality of each sport. With football, it might be the impact of collision. With running, the solitude or tension of the final yards. With tennis, concentration or stretching for a difficult return. Try to get a feel for what is special about the sport even before you start shooting. It may help if you've had experience in the sport. If you haven't, try talking to someone who has.

Also look for the endless waiting around on the bench, the building

Student photograph by Janes Sernovitz.

tension before a player goes in, the elation or disappointment afterwards. Play with stop-action and blurs. This is a good opportunity to use a telephoto or zoom lens, if you have one. You might also get some interesting effects with a wide-angle lens. (Just be careful not to get run over!)

Notice atmospheric conditions. If the weather is interesting, you may

want to do a distant shot of the game and spectators. Remember to turn around and photograph people. Catch the game in their expressions. Finally, look for objects of the sport lying around (helmets, rackets, shoes, etc.).

(Note: If you do photograph an indoor event, refer to the Appendix for information on "pushing" film and using a flash.)

Student photograph by Anne Thorstvedt.

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