10 Tips for Capturing Action Shots in High-Stakes Sports Photography

(Andrew Spellman/81 Creative)

Capturing intense action moments in sports is an art that requires technical skill, the right gear, and a knack for timing. High-stakes sports photography can be especially challenging, as it demands both split-second precision and adaptability in fast-paced environments. For those looking to enhance their action sports photography, here are 10 tips that will ensure you’re ready for any adrenaline-inducing event.

Sports Photography Tip 1: Choose the Right Camera Gear for High-Stakes Photography

For action sports photography, having high-quality gear is essential. Start with a reliable camera capable of handling rapid movement and changing lighting conditions. A top contender in the sports photography market is the Sony Alpha 7RIII, praised for its 42-megapixel CMOS sensor, remarkable processor, fast autofocus, and ability to capture high-resolution images with exceptional detail. Additionally, ensure you have a set of fast lenses—ideally, a 70-200mm f/2.8 lens, which provides excellent zoom capabilities without sacrificing quality—though lenses with max apertures of f/4 are more than acceptable for most applications.

Sports Photography Tip 2: Set Your Frame Rate Correctly for Smooth Action

When capturing action shots, frame rate is critical. Though most high-end mirrorless cameras provide users with up to 20 frames per second (fps), bodies that shoot at 10 fps are great for most sporting events, as it  provides enough speed to capture fast sequences.

The A7 RIII, for example, can shoot up to 10 fps, making it our choice for all the events we attend. Over the last two years of using the A7 RIII, we have yet to lose a shot due to the camera's frame rate. Still, if you’re unfamiliar with frame rates, you should experiment with your body’s settings before the event to get a sense of what will work best for the sport you’re photographing.

Sports Photography Tip 3: Let Your Autofocus Do the Work

Action shots require quick adjustments, and you can make the job easier on yourself by trusting your autofocus settings.

Generally, ensure that you’re using continuous autofocus (AF-C) mode. This allows you to focus on one subject while the camera adjusts slightly as it moves to or away from you, and still renders you full control over what you're capturing. Further, if your camera provides it, take advantage of zone and tracking AF options, which help keep the subject sharp as they move across the frame.

Sports Photography Tip 4: Be Prepared with Essential Accessories

Beyond the camera body and lenses, several accessories are indispensable for action sports photography. A sturdy monopod or tripod is essential to stabilize shots, especially when using heavier lenses.

Also, extra batteries and high-speed memory cards are a must for long events or multiple games, like AAU basketball trips. Lastly, consider purchasing a camera rain cover if you’re photographing outdoor sports, as this will protect your gear from unexpected weather conditions.

Sports Photography Tip 5: Anticipate Key Moments in High-Stakes Events

High-stakes moments vary by sport, but some universal principles apply.

In football, for instance, key shots may involve touchdowns or intense defensive plays. Watch the offensive drive develop and, essentially, try to guess the next play. Patterns develop even at the professional level, and, after a few drives, you should be able to identify the best places to stand in anticipation of the shot.

In basketball, capturing the exact moment of a dunk or last-second shot can make for powerful images. There are telling signs of what can happen in these moments, so, if you have a gut feeling something is about to happen, stay locked in on your subject. Stay on that player post-play as well, as basketball can be more emotional following a big play.

Lastly, sports like hockey and soccer, though less intense throughout the game, also offer high-stakes moments around goals, while in track and field, finishes and jump attempts are prime opportunities. Understanding the sport and anticipating the action is crucial for nailing the shot.

Sports Photography Tip 6: Use Burst Mode for Continuous Shooting

This one may seem elementary, but, to keep up with rapid motion, you should be shooting in a continuous mode. Be cautious, however, as continuous shooting modes can quickly fill up memory cards; but, if you follow tip No. 4, you'll have extra high-capacity cards handy to avoid running out of storage space.

Sports Photography Tip 7: Consider Your Composition and Backgrounds

Even in fast-moving situations, take a moment to think about composition.

Try to capture your subject against a clean or contrasting background so they stand out more clearly in the shot. Position yourself strategically in advance; if you know where key plays are likely to happen, you can angle yourself for a clear view that minimizes distracting backgrounds. Note: you can also use a busy background to your advantage, focusing on crows reactions to big plays once you capture the big moment itself.

Sports Photography Tip 8: Shoot in RAW for Maximum Post-Processing Flexibility

This tip may not be for everyone, but the sooner you capture photos in RAW, the better your work will be.

Action shots are often taken in difficult lighting or less-than-ideal conditions, especially high school sports. By shooting in RAW format, you’ll retain more image data, which can be invaluable for post-processing as it gives you more flexibility to adjust exposure, contrast, and color, ensuring the final image is vibrant and clear.

RAW photos are also larger files, though, so keep that in mind if you don't have a lot of storage space on your computer, external hard drive, or SD card.

Sports Photography Tip 9: Practice Panning Techniques to Capture Motion

Panning, or moving the camera along with a moving subject, can create a dynamic effect by blurring the background while keeping the subject in focus with the proper settings.

To master this, set a slower shutter speed (1/30s -1/125s) and move the camera in sync with the subject. Practicing this technique can give your sports photography an added layer of professionalism and energy, but it can be difficult to capture even in the best circumstances.

In our experience, don't spend too much time trying to nail this shot. And, as a final note, don't overuse this technique; it's becoming more popular, but, if overdone, makes your work look unprofessional and sloppy.

Sports Photography Tip 10: Stay Adaptable and Ready to Adjust Settings on the Fly

The last tip concerns remaining adaptable to any situation.

High-stakes sports environments can be unpredictable. Lighting, weather, and the pace of the game can change suddenly. Staying flexible by familiarizing yourself with your camera’s settings so you can make quick adjustments as needed is a key skill all professional photographers have. Additionally, understanding the layout of a field or what will likely happen during an upcoming play will set your work above others in key moments.

Final Thoughts on Photographing High-Stakes Sporting Events

Capturing action shots during high-stakes sporting events demands technical know-how, specialized equipment, and an understanding of the game you're covering.

From choosing the right gear to mastering techniques like panning, you can bring the intensity of the moment you've captured to life. With these tips, you’ll be well-equipped to handle even the most challenging moments on the field or court.