Sports Photography: From Snapshots to Great Shots

chapteR 4: FinDing the Light 57

miDDay haRshness

Working from an elevated position or getting very low is often the best way to deal

with ugly light. Sports equipment the athletes wear—uniforms, hats, or helmets—is

particularly difficult to expose for during the middle of the day (Figure 4.2).

FIgURe 4.

This motorcycle

race was shot in the

Australian Outback

at sunset. I sat

facing west so the

backlight would

amplify the dust

being kicked up by

the motorcycles.

FIgURe 4.
Notre Dame vs. Michigan was a noon game in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Football is very difficult to shoot in
midday light, so I decided to shoot from an elevated position and take advantage of shadows and patterns.

Nikon D3s

ISO 250

1/2000 sec

f/

600mm lens

Nikon D

ISO 250

1/1250 sec

f/

600mm lens