Sports Photography: From Snapshots to Great Shots

Sports Photography: From Snapshots to Great Shots

by Bill Frakes
Released April 2013
Publisher(s): Peachpit Press
ISBN: 9780133138511

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Book description

In Sports Photography: From Snapshots to Great Shots, author and sports photographer Bill Frakes shows you how to capture the key elements of sports photographs–motion and emotion, style and scene, place and purpose–whether you’re at a baseball tournament, a track meet, or a professional football game.

Starting with the basics of equipment, camera settings, and exposure, Bill covers the fundamental techniques of sports photography–understanding lighting, handling composition and focus, and timing peak action. He explains how to choose a shooting position on the field of play, identify the defining moments away from the action, and learn the etiquette of covering live sporting events. He then breaks down the shooting processes of specific sports, outlining the challenges and demands of each and showing how to isolate individual athletes in action.

Beautifully illustrated with large, vibrant photos, this book teaches you how to take control of your photography to get the sports photo you want every time you pick up the camera.

  • Master the photographic basics of composition, focus, depth of field, and much more

  • Get tips on shooting with long and short lenses, learning when to use them and why

  • Learn key techniques for photographing various sports, including football, baseball, basketball, soccer, and more

  • Fully grasp all the concepts and techniques as you go, with assignments at the end of every chapter


    • And once you’ve got the shot, show it off! Join the book’s Flickr group to share your photos and ideas for great sports shots at flickr.com/groups/sportsphotographyfromsnapshotstogreatshots.

    Table of contents

    1. Title Page
    2. Copyright Page
    3. Dedication
    4. Acknowledgments
    5. Contents
    6. Introduction
      1. Why I Love Covering Sports
      2. The Goal of This Book
      3. Who This Book Is For
      4. Shooting Sports
    7. 1. In the Bag
      1. Equipment Essentials for Photographing Sports
      2. Poring Over the Picture
      3. Gear Isn’t Everything
      4. Cameras
      5. Lenses
      6. Memory Cards
      7. Supports, Strobes, and Cases
      8. Inside My Bag
      9. Chapter 1 Assignments
    8. 2. Getting Started
      1. The Fundamentals of Sports Photography
      2. Poring Over the Picture
      3. Getting Started
      4. Camera Basics
      5. Sports Photography as a Teaching Tool
      6. Sports Photography for Advertising and Promotional Purposes
      7. Sports Photography as Journalism
      8. Action and Feature Portraits
      9. Lighting
      10. Chapter 2 Assignments
    9. 3. The Right Perspective
      1. Shooting with Short and Long Lenses
      2. Poring Over the Picture
      3. Short Lenses: From Super Wide to Normal
      4. Long Lenses
      5. Chapter 3 Assignments
    10. 4. Finding the Light
      1. Using the Right Light
      2. Poring Over the Picture
      3. Ambient Light
      4. Chapter 4 Assignments
    11. 5. Shooting Football
      1. Big Hits, Big Reactions
      2. Poring Over the Picture
      3. Football: How to Get the Best Shots
      4. Chapter 5 Assignments
    12. 6. Shooting Basketball
      1. Covering the Action from all Angles
      2. Poring Over the Picture
      3. Basketball: How to Get the Best Shots
      4. How I Cover Basketball
      5. Chapter 6 Assignments
    13. 7. Baseball and Softball
      1. Shooting America’s Games
      2. Poring Over the Picture
      3. Baseball: How to Get the Best Shots
      4. A Different Feeling
      5. Shooting Emotion
      6. Special Features of Baseball
      7. Chapter 7 Assignments
    14. 8. Fast Tracks
      1. Horse Racing, Track and Field, and Motor Sports
      2. Poring Over the Picture
      3. Horse Racing: How to Get the Best Shots
      4. Track and Field: How to Get the Best Shots
      5. Motor Sports: How to Get the Best Shots
      6. My Gear
      7. Pay Close Attention to Your Settings
      8. Beyond the Race Itself
      9. Chapter 8 Assignments
    15. 9. Summer Olympic Sports
      1. From the Greeks to Now
      2. Poring Over the Picture
      3. Where to Position Yourself
      4. Lens Selection
      5. Beach Volleyball: How to Get the Best Shots
      6. Boxing: How to Get the Best Shots
      7. Cycling: How to Get the Best Shots
      8. Diving: How to Get the Best Images
      9. Dressage, Eventing, and Jumping: How to Get the Best Images
      10. Gymnastics: How to Get the Best Shots
      11. Table Tennis: Getting the Best Shots
      12. Swimming: Getting the Best Shots
      13. Weightlifting: Getting the Best Shots
      14. Wrestling: Getting the Best Shots
      15. Capturing the Scene Around the Events
      16. Gear
      17. Settings
      18. Chapter 9 Assignments
    16. 10. Quick Action
      1. Soccer, Lacrosse, and Field Hockey
      2. Poring Over the Picture
      3. Soccer: How to Get the Best Shots
      4. Field Hockey: How to Get the Best Shots
      5. Lacrosse: How to Get the Best Shots
      6. My Gear
      7. The Camera Settings
      8. Covering the Moments Before the Game
      9. Covering the Action
      10. Covering the Moments After the Game
      11. Chapter 10 Assignments
    17. 11. Golf and Tennis
      1. The Silent Sports
      2. Poring Over the Picture
      3. Golf: A Nice Long Walk
      4. Tennis: Net Gain
      5. Covering Moments Around the Action
      6. Chapter 11 Assignments
    18. 12. Personal and Professional Growth
      1. Beyond the Shoot
      2. Poring Over the Picture
      3. Expanding Your Business
      4. Sharpen Your Skills
      5. What’s Next?
      6. Chapter 12 Assignments
    19. Conclusion
      1. Friends, Mentors, and Heroes
    20. Index

    Product information

    • Title: Sports Photography: From Snapshots to Great Shots
    • Author(s): Bill Frakes
    • Release date: April 2013
    • Publisher(s): Peachpit Press
    • ISBN: 9780133138511