Taking Photographs of a Sports Event with a Digital Camera

The sporting world is incredibly popular all across the world these days because sports are an outlet for many people when it comes to de-stressing and enjoying themselves after a long day at work or at school. Professional, and even local league sporting events sellout every day of the week across all of the major sports (football, cricket, rugby and athletics). A popular profession within the sporting world is that of sports photography. Sports photographers are needed for individual athletes, teams, sports camps, events and games.

Sports photographers these days use a digital camera to take their photos so they can take zoomed in shots of the game without having to be in the middle of the action.

Items needed for sports photography jobs include the following:

* Main camera and backup (DSLR and DSLR)

* 70-200, 70-300 or 100-400 zoom lens

* 1.5 and/or 2x tele-converter

* 300 or 400mm telephoto lens

* 24-70 or 24-105 zoom for wide-angle shots and team photos

* Shoe mount strobe for indoor events such as swimming/diving

* Superclamp

* Lens cleaning kit

* Extra batteries

* Large memory cards that last entire game

* Camera raincoat for shooting in bad weather

* Camera bag

Additional items needed for sports photography jobs include the following:

* Extreme wide angle zoom 12-24

* Underwater camera

* Remote camera control

* Camera stand or clamp

* Extra flash units and wireless triggers

* Sports camera strap

* Camera belt pack

Digital cameras are all the rage these days, especially in the sporting world, because of the excellent and clear pictures they take. For instance, digital cameras can take pictures of moving athletes running up and down the field without creating a glare or weird image. These cameras can also take extraordinary pictures of sporting events in the rain, in the snow, in high wind and in other extreme conditions without them coming back looking awful. After some extensive research, we have come up with a list of the top ten most popular digital cameras for sports photography, most of them come recommended by sports photographers who have been in the business for ten or more years. The list includes the following digital cameras:

* Canon 5D

* Nikon D700

* Canon 5D Mark II

* Nikon D3

* Canon 40D

* Nikon D300

* Canon 50D

* Canon 1D Mark III

* Nikon D200

* Canon EOS Rebel T1i

There is much more to sports photography than just turning up at a game with a camera. It takes a lot of practice and knowhow to become a sports photographer these days, especially when it comes to knowing what the best pictures will be to sell to newspapers and online publications across the world. It just is not about taking pictures and emailing them. The lighting has to be setup correctly and the shutter speed needs to be perfect.

Digital Photography Boom - Why Taking Pictures Using a Digital Camera is So Appealing?

Anyone that has had anything to do with taking pictures or photography in the past and has switched to DSLR Photography (Digital Single Lens Reflex) will be more than aware of some of the many benefits and bonuses of taking pictures in this way. The people that have not yet tried their hand at using a digital camera for whatever reason are possibly missing out on an opportunity to get in touch with their artistic side by using digital technology...

Digital cameras and mega-pixel power have really come of age and seems to be sweeping across the entire globe, in some cases manufacturers are having trouble keeping up with demands and even selling out of some models before they have even been released.

So what is it that is causing this massive digital photography frenzy? With cameras and evolution there have been many different types of camera with as many different formats for storing images on them. Prior to the digital evolution the most common type was called a 35mm. The photographer could take up to 36 pictures with a variation of different exposures.

This meant carrying around plenty of film and had several disabilities. The film had to be loaded manually, which involved opening the back of the camera and scrolling it across the back of the lens, on top of that was the actual taking of the pictures. You could take a picture, but until arriving at a chemist to collect your developed pictures had no idea what they would look like or even if they had come out at all.

There are many other factors that make 35mm SLR (single lens reflex) photography more of a hobby for the dedicated photographer while on the other hand digital photography is more enjoyable and a type of recreation that appeals to a much wider audience.

A digital camera has no film, simply a memory card that can be removed and plugged straight into a computer or a USB lead that offers the same facility. Some of these cards can store thousands of pictures, which does away with the carry film around aspect.

The majority of digital cameras have an LCD screen on the back so you can see exactly what the picture that you have just taken will look like, if you do not like the look of it you can simply delete it there and then.

Once the memory card is installed in your computer or patch lead connected you can view the pictures instantly on screen, import and save to a file or print off to enable you to show the pictures to others.

Another way of sharing the pictures is by installing them onto a memory stick. Most people tend to have a computer or lap top these days so when visiting simply plug your memory stick into their device and view at leisure.

Alternatively you can even use additional patch leads from the camera and plug straight into a digitally compatible television and see your pictures on the big screen.

All these things go together to make up a really attractive package for ease of taking pictures and displaying them, but on top of all that is the automatic settings on a majority of DSLR cameras that allow users to take amazing pictures simply by pointing and pushing a button. All you have to do is zoom in and zoom out the focus and other settings are all fully adjusted automatically. The quality of picture is achieved by means of what is called Mega-Pixels and most digital cameras have millions of them, which produce amazing quality shots.

Having said how easy to use a DSLR camera is this makes it the ideal partner to pick up and take with you when going virtually anywhere. It is one of those things that are hard to put down once you get started. DSLR Photography turns any novice into a true professional in minutes.

So I guess when you look at the comparisons it is easy to see why Digital Photography and Cameras have gone through the roof and become so popular with almost everyone becoming involved or knowing someone that now has the bug...

Taking Sharp Digital Pictures

Many people who transition from 35mm film to a smaller digital camera are surprised to find that many of their digital images are blurry.

The underlying cause is a slow shutter speed, which allows the camera to move during the exposure. The effect seems to be more troublesome for those using small, lightweight automatic digital cameras because:

- The cameras are smaller and lighter than the photographer is used to. While a lightweight camera is much easier to take along in a pocket or purse, the small size is harder to hold steady than an old fashioned, heavy 35mm SLR camera.

- Auto exposure settings may use a slower shutter speed than you would otherwise select. The slower the shutter speed, the greater the chance of moving the camera when shooting.

- We tend to take less time composing a shot with a small, auto-everything camera. Shooting from a moving car or trying to capture a fleeting moment is easier when you don't have to focus and set the aperture and shutter speed manually, but this ease comes at a cost. Remember to steady the camera when you press the shutter release.

- Smaller cameras are more susceptible to being shaken if the shutter release is 'jabbed' instead of pressed smoothly.

You can take wonderfully sharp, clear pictures with your small digital, but universal rules that have been followed for years still apply. Here are some hints that will help you get the sharpest pictures possible and reduce or eliminate camera shake when using your small digital camera:

1. Remember that the camera needs to be held as steady as possible. If you are shooting in any light other than bright direct sunlight, steady the camera by any means possible. A tripod or monopod will provide the steadiest camera support, but using any stationary object (wall, chair, etc.) will be a big help. If there is nothing available to use as a support, place your elbows against your body and hold your breath as you press the shutter release.

2. Practice pressing the shutter release gently. Many people tend to jab at the button, which can shake the camera. Gradually increase the pressure on the shutter release until the picture is taken.

3. Increase the ISO. Many digital cameras allow you to set the 'film speed' (ISO). Use 400, or even 1000 to get the fastest shutter speed possible. Remember that the faster the shutter speed, the grainier the picture.

4. Use a shutter speed at least as fast as the focal length of the lens. Generally speaking, you'll want to use a shutter speed at least as fast as the focal length of the lens on your camera. If you're using a focal length of 55mm, be sure the shutter speed is at least 1/60 second.

You'll see an improvement in the sharpness of your digital pictures if you are aware that small lightweight cameras are especially prone to camera shake. Follow the simple suggestions above and shoot away!