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5 TIPS FOR BETTER SPORTS PHOTOGRAPHY
Sports photography is all about freezing those blink-and-you’ll-miss-it moments—whether it’s a basketball player soaring for a dunk, a soccer forward breaking away, or a sprinter crossing the finish line. But capturing the energy, speed, and emotion of sports isn’t as simple as pointing your camera and clicking. It takes a mix of technical skill, quick reflexes, and a solid understanding of the game.
Few people know this better than Joey Franco, a seasoned sports photographer who has covered Major League Soccer (MLS), the Formula 1 World Championship, and the FIFA World Cup. If you’re looking to step up your sports photography, here are five tips from him that will help you get captivating, and more dynamic shots every time.
1. Creative Use of Slow Shutter Speed
Most sports photography advice tells you to crank up your shutter speed to freeze motion—but sometimes, slowing it down can create some of the most striking images.
A slower shutter speed allows you to introduce motion blur, which can emphasize speed, energy, and movement in a way that frozen action can’t. This works especially well in sports like cycling, running, and motorsports, where the sense of motion is just as important as the subject itself.
Panning is a great way to experiment with this technique. Use a shutter speed around 1/30s - 1/60s, track your subject with a smooth motion, and keep them in focus while blurring the background. This makes your subject look razor-sharp while creating a streaking effect behind them.
Slow shutter speed isn’t for every shot, but used creatively, it can add a dynamic, artistic touch that separates your work from typical sports photography.
2. Use a Fast Shutter Speed
When you do need to freeze action, a fast shutter speed is non-negotiable. A slow shutter will leave you with blurry, unusable images. A good rule of thumb: start at 1/1000th of a second for most sports and adjust from there.
• 1/1000s or faster: Best for high-speed action like soccer, basketball, or motorsports. • 1/500s - 1/800s: Good for slightly slower sports like swimming or gymnastics. • 1/250s - 1/500s: Works for casual or less intense movement, like golf or yoga. If you’re shooting in low light, raise your ISO instead of slowing down your shutter. You might introduce some grain, but sharpness is more important than noise in sports photography. 3. Get Low and Fill the Frame Perspective is everything. The best sports shots make the athletes look larger-than-life, and one of the easiest ways to do that is by shooting from a lower angle. Crouch down or get as close to field level as possible to make your subject look more dynamic.
Also, fill the frame with the action. A common mistake is leaving too much empty space around the subject. Tight shots with a clean background bring more focus to the athlete’s intensity and movement. 4. Shoot in Burst Mode (But Don’t Spray and Pray) Burst mode (or continuous shooting) is your best friend in sports photography. It lets you fire off multiple shots in a row, increasing your chances of nailing the perfect frame. But there’s a catch—you don’t want to just hold down the shutter and hope for the best.
Instead, time your bursts strategically. If you’re shooting a basketball jump shot, start your burst as the player is about to leave the ground, not after they’re already in the air. If you’re capturing a soccer player taking a shot, fire the burst as they wind up, so you catch the moment their foot connects with the ball. This way, you’ll end up with intentional, well-composed images instead of a hundred random frames you have to sort through later. 5. Capture the Crowd’s Emotion A great sports event isn’t just about the athletes—it’s about the atmosphere. The roaring fans, the tension in the stands, the sheer joy (or heartbreak) on people’s faces—these moments bring the event to life.
Some of the most iconic sports photos aren’t of the game itself but of the fans reacting to it. A last-second goal, a controversial call, a championship win—these all spark real, raw emotions in the crowd. Pay attention to those moments. Look for small, intimate moments—a child on their parent's shoulders, a supporter waving a scarf, a die-hard fan lost in the game. Use a zoom lens to pick out individual expressions.
Sports aren’t just about what happens on the field—they’re about the emotions they create. If you can capture that in your shots, you’ll add an entirely new layer to your sports photography. Great sports photography is about preparation, timing, and storytelling. Know the game, dial in your settings, and focus on the moments that make sports so thrilling. Whether you’re shooting for a client, a publication, or just for fun, these five tips will help you capture sharper, more impactful images. Now, grab your camera, hit the field, and start shooting!
• 1/1000s or faster: Best for high-speed action like soccer, basketball, or motorsports. • 1/500s - 1/800s: Good for slightly slower sports like swimming or gymnastics. • 1/250s - 1/500s: Works for casual or less intense movement, like golf or yoga. If you’re shooting in low light, raise your ISO instead of slowing down your shutter. You might introduce some grain, but sharpness is more important than noise in sports photography. 3. Get Low and Fill the Frame Perspective is everything. The best sports shots make the athletes look larger-than-life, and one of the easiest ways to do that is by shooting from a lower angle. Crouch down or get as close to field level as possible to make your subject look more dynamic.
Low angles add a dynamic element to your image. Photo courtesy Joey Franco.
Also, fill the frame with the action. A common mistake is leaving too much empty space around the subject. Tight shots with a clean background bring more focus to the athlete’s intensity and movement. 4. Shoot in Burst Mode (But Don’t Spray and Pray) Burst mode (or continuous shooting) is your best friend in sports photography. It lets you fire off multiple shots in a row, increasing your chances of nailing the perfect frame. But there’s a catch—you don’t want to just hold down the shutter and hope for the best.
Instead, time your bursts strategically. If you’re shooting a basketball jump shot, start your burst as the player is about to leave the ground, not after they’re already in the air. If you’re capturing a soccer player taking a shot, fire the burst as they wind up, so you catch the moment their foot connects with the ball. This way, you’ll end up with intentional, well-composed images instead of a hundred random frames you have to sort through later. 5. Capture the Crowd’s Emotion A great sports event isn’t just about the athletes—it’s about the atmosphere. The roaring fans, the tension in the stands, the sheer joy (or heartbreak) on people’s faces—these moments bring the event to life.
Some of the most iconic sports photos aren’t of the game itself but of the fans reacting to it. A last-second goal, a controversial call, a championship win—these all spark real, raw emotions in the crowd. Pay attention to those moments. Look for small, intimate moments—a child on their parent's shoulders, a supporter waving a scarf, a die-hard fan lost in the game. Use a zoom lens to pick out individual expressions.
HD Metal is an excellent option for showcasing the bold colors and energy of sports photography.
Sports aren’t just about what happens on the field—they’re about the emotions they create. If you can capture that in your shots, you’ll add an entirely new layer to your sports photography. Great sports photography is about preparation, timing, and storytelling. Know the game, dial in your settings, and focus on the moments that make sports so thrilling. Whether you’re shooting for a client, a publication, or just for fun, these five tips will help you capture sharper, more impactful images. Now, grab your camera, hit the field, and start shooting!
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