Timothy Mucciante is a Michigan-based photographer and writer with more than three decades of experience creating content. Having started his photographic journey as a student sports photographer, Timothy Mucciante’s work has included written and photographic coverage of political, sports, and cultural events. While most people snapping photos at a sporting event won’t go on to make photography their career, there are a few things that can help anyone to create better images.
1. Avoid auto mode. Whether shooting with a smartphone or a DSLR, learning to use all the features available on a camera will help the photographer to have more control over their images. Extensive guidance can be found online or in user’s manuals, but the best way to learn is simply to practice experimenting with a variety of settings.
2. Make the emotions of the sport the focus of some images. Photos that portray moments of joy, disappointment, or achievement are often the most compelling. This can be achieved by narrowing in on a specific subject for the photo, whether it’s a group of players interacting in a huddle or a runner’s face as they cross the finish line.
3. Capture the environment. While most of the action takes place on the field or court, interesting subject matter can also be found in the surrounding area. This could include a view of fans reacting to a goal, the vibrant colors of team merchandise on display, or simply a wide-angle shot of a sunset or group of dark clouds over a football field.
With practice and a sense of perspective, anyone can improve their action-shots and learn to capture the moment through sports photography.
