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02/20/2007 06:50:15 PM · #1 |
Greetings,
I'm going to be photographing a tennis match this weekend and next weekend. I am wondering if some of you have some advice for photographing tennis. Things like:
Where can you be?
What are the best angles to shoot from?
What are the best times to capture action (serving, return, reaction, etc)?
Also, feel free to post in some pictures of tennis that you've taken, or link to some tennis pictures somewhere.
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02/20/2007 07:37:14 PM · #2 |
The best shots have the ball in the frame, harder to do than you think.
Don't follow the ball, follow the player and wait on the ball.
Try to time the ball on the racquet, don't motor through the swing.
I like being closer to the net, but not even with it, shooting the player on the same side of the net as I am.
//www.designltd.com/photographics/seles.htm
This was Monica Seles first professional victory. She beat Chris Everett at the Virginia Slims in Houston back in the early 90s.
(old link, I'll try to post some better processed images)
Good luck teammate!
Message edited by author 2007-02-20 19:37:44.
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02/20/2007 07:52:38 PM · #3 |
I'm no pro sports photographer, but I play alot of tennis and have shot a few local tournaments and can offer this:
1. scarbrd is right that the best shots feature the ball.
2. It's easiest to do this when you are on the same side of the net as the player.
3. Watch the player, listen for the ball. Depending on the level of play, of course. I find it's easiest to start clicking when I "hear" the subject's opponent hit the ball. For example, listen for the opponent's serve, and start shooting the subject player as soon as you hear the thwap. Even with 3fps, you can get the ball in the frame 8 times out of 10 on a return of serve; much harder during point play.
4. In general, a good tennis player will hit the ball and then follow the ball. When they "set" to return it back to their opponent, that's when you start your burst.
5. It should only take a few times of watching someone's serve to be able to time the overhead drop when shooting someone who is actually serving instead of returning. Most people throw pretty much the same toss each time - again, depending on level of play.
HTH
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02/20/2007 07:54:46 PM · #4 |
it depends on who you're shooting. i've had more leeway shooting college matches than i've had shooting high school matches!
find the tournament director and introduce yourself. ask him/her where you are allowed to shoot from. i've gotten my best stuff sitting to either side of the referee's chair.
watch your backgrounds. try to find an angle that won't include too much background clutter. otherwise you end up have to do something cute in post-processing...
make sure to shoot some tight on the faces in order to get some of those great expressions. however, when shooting loose, try to fill the frame as much as possible. if you can shoot from the side, beside the net, grab some candids when they take water breaks between games.
and, if you can find a strong enough branch, you might can get a shot like this...
have fun!
;-) |
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02/21/2007 02:39:33 AM · #5 |
Thanks for the great advice so far, anybody else have some?
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02/21/2007 03:16:06 AM · #6 |
Originally posted by Zoomdak:
Thanks for the great advice so far, anybody else have some? |
1. After you've got some good 'normal' shots in the bag, try experimenting. You know, do some of that photographer stuff. Try capturing motion blur, shooting while zooming, super shallow DOF, unique angles, yada, yada.
2. If the ball is suddenly taking up a lot of the frame, duck.
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