Every athletic movement in every sport has a "peak" moment. For example, when a basketball player takes a jump shot, there is a point at which he has stopped traveling upward and he has not yet started to descend. The ball is poised on his fingertips. A pitcher extends his arm backward in a windup, momentarily, the action has "stopped" before he begins to move forward and release the ball. Train your eye to look for this "peak" moment. It exists in every sport and you will get some amazing pictures.
Fast sports call for fast shutter speeds. Shutter speeds 1/500 second and faster will freeze the action. When an athlete is moving directly towards or away from you, you can use a slightly slower shutter speed, such as 1/250 second. When in doubt, use the fastest shutter speed you can.
Sports photographers have an old axiom: If you see the picture in your viewfinder, you've missed it. Learn to anticipate what's coming next, and release the shutter early. All sports follow a predictable pattern - tension, release, and reaction. There is tension before the movement begins, and all of the energy is held. A base runner focusing his eyes on the pitcher awaiting his windup before breaking for second or a basketball player collecting his thoughts and focusing his mind before he steps to the free throw line. Then comes the release when the action explodes - the runner breaks for second in a full sprint, the free-throw caroms off the rim and five bodies leap for the rebound. Finally, as the action concludes, there is a reaction. The base runner is called out at second and leaps to his feat raises his arms and screams at the umpire, the winning team leaps in jubilation once the rebound is secure. Pay attention to where and how the pressure is building. Athletes often let their feelings be known in dramatic and unexpected ways. A glorious tumble, an outrageous roar, a fist raised heavenward cursing the almighty - each makes a memorable photo. Study these patterns. They occur over and over again in each sport and you will know which picture to expect when. You won't be right all the time, but you will be amazed at your results if you practice and trust your instincts.
Nothing destroys a great sports photograph more than a cluttered or noisy background. The power and drama of the athletic form looks best when it is not competing with other information in your photos. When working with telephoto lenses, opening up the aperture to the widest setting will give you a shallow depth of field. This blurs the background so your subjects seem to "pop out" of the picture. Focus carefully. With less depth of field, you also have less margin for focus error.
The law of forward motion applies to nearly all sports. Whatever the competition or sport, the bottom line is someone is trying to get from point A to point B. Position yourself in the path of the forward motion for great action pictures. Sooner or later, the action will come your way and you will be ready.
Not having a press pass that lets you onto the field can actually be an advantage. From high in the stands, athletic competition takes on a whole different appearance. Look for patterns and team formations that enhance your photos. Focus in on the lines of the track as the runners spring from the blocks - their uncoiling bodies poised symmetrically. In swimming the lane markers form a natural boundary and shape to work with in composing your photograph; the shape of a baseball diamond with base runners on the and fielders on the move can tell a powerful story. The possibilities are endless.
The more you know about a sport, the more likely you are to know what's coming next - and be ready with your camera. Study your favorite athletes. Do they have a particular style or "trademark" maneuver? When close to the hoop, does a particular player prefer to back in for the dunk or pivot for a hook shot? Knowing what to watch for will give you a leg up when the game begins. Even before lifting your camera, take some time to study the movements and mannerisms of different athletes. It will give you a sense of how they respond and ideas about how to best capture them on film.
Fast athletes and dimly lit arenas make photographing indoor and night sports difficult. To succeed, you will need a high-speed film. Use an ISO 800 or higher film. It will allow you to use telephoto lenses and fast shutter speeds, even in dim lighting. Two good ISO 800 choices are Kodak Max zoom film for the amateur shooter and Kodak Professional Supra 800 film for the pro.
There is a natural ebb and flow to athletic activity. Sometimes you can literally feel the movement just as you would at a dance or concert. Try to get in synch with the action. Feel its rhythm and pulse. The pictures will start to flow and will be a natural extension of your being in synch.
Most of the time you'll be a long way from the action. Even with the best seats in the house, you can't exactly reach out and touch someone. Telephoto lenses put you on the field and allow you to isolate your subjects. They are standard equipment for the sports photographer. If you're not used to working with them, try a short telephoto like a 135mm or a medium zoom lens like a 70-210mm to get used to working with them. If you have familiarity with telephotos, try stepping up to a 300mm or a 400mm lens to get close to the action.
Not all of the action is in the action. Look for the quiet moments as well. They can be some of your most powerful photographs. A sprinter hanging his head after failing to qualify, a swimmer nervously anticipating the starter's gun, a gymnast chalking his hands before mounting his apparatus. These moments reflect the true nature of athletic competition as much as a great action photo. Tune in to the subtler emotions of the game for some very telling pictures. Also pay attention to the fans and mood surrounding a competition. Not every picture needs to be on the field.