How to Become a Sports Photographer
Do you ever dream of watching a sporting event from the sidelines without having to pay for it? Well, getting into sports photography may be one way you could do that. However, you will need a little more than your iPhone camera to capture the perfect moment. In this article, I will take you through what you need to get started in sports photography.
First off, let’s start with equipment.
The best camera you can buy is indeed the one you can take with you everywhere, and that pretty much means your phone. But, to achieve good results, you will need a fast camera body and lens. As you may have guessed, it is not cheap.
There are several options to chose from and prices. As a sports photographer myself, a good beginner combination may be a Canon 7D Mark II with a Canon 70-200mm f/2.8 lens.
The costs of both will come down to approximately 3,000 dollars. Do not get intimidated by it. It is an investment for your future as a sports photographer.
If you are looking to freeze the moment during an action shot during a game, your camera will require outstanding autofocus and high-speed continuous shooting. The Canon 7D Mark II has a continuous shooting rate of 10 fps. Not only that, a lens with a higher zoom range will allow you to get into the play even when you are far from the action. The Canon 70-200mm will give you well-lite images, clean and crisp quality.
Now, if budget is not an issue, you may consider going for the Canon EOS-1D X Mark III. This beast has a continuous shooting rate of up to 16 fps. I really meant when I said, “if the budget is not an issue.” This camera body will cost you $5,654.99 plus tax, which can be a little salty if you are just starting in this business. However, the image quality of this camera is incredible.
Adding the camera and the lens together will not only be heavy on your pocket, but it will also be heavy for your arms during the games. That being said, I highly recommend you to get a monopod. This 22 dollars equipment will become your best friend, and you will thank me later.
As I mentioned before, there are many options on the market as well as many other brands. Today, we talked about only two options from Canon. I recommend you to research all kind of cameras and brands that best fits you and your budget. Also, make sure your camera of choice has a high continuous rate. As far as lenses go, I am a big fan of the 70-200mm lens, so I would recommend you sticking with that choice if you are looking to become a sports photographer.