It’s been ages since I dropped some photo taking knowledge on you guys.
For those of you who don’t know, Dumb Mom: Blog Awesome Reborn Fashionista is also Dumb Mom: Photographer Average For Hire.
I’m not really in the business of tooting my own horn, so let’s just say I have a way with kids I didn’t give birth too that makes them look really quite adorable on photo paper. Additionally, I am pretty in touch with my awkward side which somehow allows random, also awkward, strangers to feel comfortable and beautiful in front of my lens. This technique works even better on those who aren’t awkward by nature.
Either way, I bust out my camera and point it at your family and voila…
Cuteness!
In an effort to make pBd about more than random funny, I’ve decided to share some of my make-a-photo-awesome know how with you. Previous editions of Dumb Mom Photo School can be found here:
Today, since I’ve spent a ridiculous amount of time on a blistering hot soccer field capturing pictures of my Dude doing his thing, I’m bringing you some sports related photo tips in a How to Take Amazing Photos of Kids Playing Sports tutorial.
This can easily be renamed, How to Take Awesome Photos of Kids Who Move Incessantly at High Rates of Speed Particularly When Outdoors on Hot Days.
Use it for both situations as they arise.
Dumb Mom’s Photo School: How to Take Amazing Photos of Kids Playing Sports
1. Be prepared for harsh light. As a pro photog I would never willingly schedule a photo session at 1pm in mid June. Never, never, ever. Harsh white sunlight, the potential to sweat out your hair and clothing, and the desire to cry that such conditions tend to produce in humans make this time a no go for paying clients. But, people who plan kid sporting events don’t seem to care about this stuff. Which means you need to be prepared for blown out skies and squinty eyes. Not much to be done about squinty eyes, but you can prevent the harsh whites if you turn down the ISO (to like 100) and bump up your f-stop and your shutter speed. I normally don’t go above 3.2 and I often require a slower speed too, but bright days ask for something faster with less ability let light in (that little number by the f will be bigger and the other one will seem smaller, like 1/250). Do this and things look pretty fan-freaking-tastic.
2. Move quickly. The kids are gonna, so you probably should too. If you want to get good, on the run shots you may have to come up outta your lawn chair a bit.
3. Be creative. I like to get fun shots of the ball and through the net and such. It gives a different perspective. And captures the day. And makes me feel artsy fartsy.
4. Stay ready. Sometimes awesome goals and amazing blocks happen quickly. So be prepared to shoot and shoot quick. That doesn’t mean you have to be all continuous clicking chick for the entire match; that’s tedious to you and annoying to everyone sitting near you. But, you should understand the game a bit (like the fact that when they corner kick, they have a really good chance of scoring with a header from the middle!) and be in the right spot with your finger on the trigger to capture something great when it’s most likely to pop off.
5. And then get ready to wait. For something amazing to happen. Which may not actually even happen until the very end of the match. When the kids are hitting the tunnel. Sometimes things just work out that way. But, with this kind of joy thrown in there, does it really even matter?
Please note: The editing on these is sorta funky for the identity preservation of kids I didn’t give birth to.
Have something Wordful to share this week?! Link up below and then be sure to visit this week’s features an my co-host Angie at Seven Clown Circus to see what’s got her Wordful this week!
A future blackmail type shot every mom worth her ability to torture a teenage can be proud of from Three in Three.
Some awesome shots of a bunch of girls working a ball field like nobody’s business on From Our Front Porch Looking In.
A post filled with summer sun and pool time awesome on Chasing Sunshine.
The cutest pigtails I’ve seen in ages on the toddler cutie at Living Like the Kings.
Thank you for the tag!!! :)
hey i know i’m way behind the curve on this one… but thanks for the mention! it really means a lot coming from someone as talented as you!
loved your tips… it’s taken me quite a while to get my sports shots as good as they are, but i still feel like i’ve got a long way to go… always something more to learn! ;-)
yesterday my husband picked up the BIG OL’ CAMERA that i stole from my mom last year and chided, “have ya learnt how to use this thing yet?!!!!???”
and i said, “nope!”
and that was that! give us more photog tips! you are the best!
the tunnel picture… its’ freaking AWESOME!
ANGIE
yesterday my husband picked up the BIG OL’ CAMERA that i stole from my mom last year and chided, “have ya learnt how to use this thing yet?!!!!???”
and i said, “nope!”
and that was that! give us more photog tips! you are the best!
the tunnel picture… its’ freaking AWESOME!
ANGIE
love these photos, especially the one that has them running and only focuses on one. Happy WW
The photos are awesome. Especially the ‘joy’ one.
Great tips! I’ll have to use some of them when soccer season starts again in the Fall.
That shot of him coming through the tunnel is perfect!! :D
Can you just come and take them for me? I’ve tried…I’m just terrible at it!
Sweet tutorial Ms. Photographer. At Cady’s ball games I was turning the ISO up. I thought that’s what you were supposed to with “action”, but then I was getting the super bright photos that looked kinda crappy. Now I know what I was doing wrong and will adjust in the future.
I love the last photo of them high fiving at the end. That is a GREAT shot. I always feel so awkward trying to get too close to take pictures. Perhaps I need a better zoom, or just to be less awkward.
Oh I am so loving the perspective on that last one. LOVE!!!!
Great shots – I especially love the last one, it must’ve taken a lot of patience! Thanks for the tips – I feel hot and sweaty in the midday sun already.
Yes- I always love it when there is an early game as I know than the light won’t be as horrible. Great shots and tips!
Wow I wish you lived closer to me…your photos are amazing!
I love that last picture. He looks like he’s having so much fun. I can’t even FIND my point and shoot camera.
Thanks for sharing your great tips!!! Love the shot of the dude running through the tunnel. Do they do this after every game? So fun!
Such great tips for these always moving, always adorable kids of our’s!
AWW THANK YOU! :) LOVe the sports photos!
So you never use the Sports mode on the camera?
I love that last shot. #1 looks like a pro out there.
awesome shots! I can’t wait for the day I get to run around the sidelines capturing my kids’ athleticism on film
Thanks for the pointers! I love the last shot a ton!
Great suggestions, Amanda! That baby, by the way, is so darned adorable!! (as are the kids you gave birth to, OF COURSE!)
OH I love these and thanks for all the tips. I am just starting with the action shots with school ports and this helps so much
I love that your team runs through the parent’s arms. That is just awesome!
Great pointers. It feels so good to get some of those unexpected shots.
Dana
That last shot? Simply put: awesome.
You got some really awesome shots there –that last one, especially! :)
Love the sports photos!!!!!
Really love that tunnel shot at the end! Your son’s smile is priceless!
You should check out my happiness post from today.. I took some awesome shots of my son’s birthday party where they had a paint war. In some shots you can even see the paint splatter flying…
I look forward to the day when I get to run around with my camera trying to capture all the stuff my kids decide to do!