THE PHOTOGRAPHIC EYE

EXERCISE
Sports Events
Assignment: Photograph any
sports event, outdoors if at all possible
(so you won't need to use a flash).
Goal: Photographs of sports
events are very common. Unfortunately,
most of them are pretty
bad. Your job is to get some good
ones.
Tips: Be sure the center of interest
is clearly isolated, either by cropping
or by using shallow depth-of-field, or
both. You'll generally get the best
results by moving in close and/or
shooting from a low or high point of
view. Be very aware of what's going
on in the background.
In group sports, such as football,
try to get a mixture of individual and
group shots. Alternate among one
player, the team, one fan, the sideline
crowd, etc.
Look at faces. Look at what bodies
are doing: the strain of a weightlifter's
arms, for example. The most
important information and expression
is not necessarily in the face.
Try to give particular attention to
a specific quality of each sport. With
football, it might be the impact of
collision. With running, the solitude
or tension of the final yards. With
tennis, concentration or stretching
for a difficult return. Try to get a feel
for what is special about the sport
even before you start shooting. It
may help if you've had experience in
the sport. If you haven't, try talking
to someone who has.
Also look for the endless waiting
around on the bench, the building
206 The Photographic Eye
Student photograph by Janes Sernovitz.
tension before a player goes in, the
elation or disappointment afterwards.
Play with stop-action and
blurs. This is a good opportunity to
use a telephoto or zoom lens, if you
have one. You might also get some
interesting effects with a wide-angle
lens. (Just be careful not to get run
over!)
Notice atmospheric conditions. If
the weather is interesting, you may
want to do a distant shot of the game
and spectators. Remember to turn
around and photograph people.
Catch the game in their expressions.
Finally, look for objects of the
sport lying around (helmets, rackets,
shoes, etc.).
(Note: If you do photograph an indoor
event, refer to the Appendix for
information on "pushing" film and
using a flash.)