Guest post: 8 Reasons to love sports photography
By From the Sideline Sports Blog
While I admire many different types, for me the real joy in taking photographs comes from combining it with another of my passions; sports. As a child both my sister and I competed across the country in various sports and when I wasn't competing I would spend my time photographing others. Here are some of the reasons that I love taking sports photographs.
1. It takes you to places you have never been before
Photography is a great reason to explore the places you visit; whenever I compete in a sports competition I explore the area and in doing so, learn more about about where I was. Sport can be a fantastic way to meet new people and visit new places and photographing sport has the same benefits.
2. Capturing a moment
The ability to capture a moment in time, to picture the pure focus of mind and body, when a sportsman or women is oblivious to all around them, is a brilliant challenge. Trying to capture such a moment also helps you to gain an understanding of the desire and determination that any successful athlete must have.
3. Sense of achievement
To capture the dedication and determination of an athlete whilst they overcome pain and mental fatigue to achieve the goals they have set themselves can be a challenge, but the sense of achievement gained when you capture something close to what you were aiming for, all be it in my case often a fluke, is very satisfying.
4. It allows you to observe things you may have missed in the moment
The passion and elation of the crowd is not something you generally observe whilst at an event but their reaction can really make a photograph.
5. Observing sports at all levels
Amateur sport creates the opportunity to practice your sports photography skills, but can also create images just as exciting and eye catching as professional sports. One of the truly great things about amateur sports events is that there is probably one going on just around the corner from you.
6. It develops your understanding of the sport
From taking photographs at sports events I have learnt plenty about a variety of sports, whether its rules or practices I didn't know existed, or observing their technique, positioning and tactics from experienced competitors.
7. It gets me to attend sporting events
When events are on in my local area the opportunity to see my sporting idols and get a photo of them in action myself is too good to resist.
8. You get to watch some amazing sport
To take photos of sport you have to be at a sporting event hence I get to watch sport and believe me there is little else that I enjoy more than watching sport.
I hope this helps inspire you to get out to your local sporting events and take some photos, if it does, make sure to share your photos with me on twitter please!
If you want to check out more blog posts from me you can find my blog here and follow and subscribe to The Big L on social media for more photography related blog posts!
Have a good week,
