I’ve witten before about how it is important to know the sport you are photographing.  This helps to anticipate where the action is going to take place and be proactive rather than reactive and potentially missing the shot.  This not only applies to the photographer on the the sidelines, but the players on the field as well.  Some of my favorite photos taken at a recent soccer tournament are of the anticipation in the players faces and body language as they prepare for a play to unfold on the field. read more »

This past weekend we participated in our first ever swim meet with the boys.  I say “we” participated because it really is a family affair.  I had a rough photographic plan in mind going into the event.  I wanted to get event shots; wide establishing shots that set the stage for the action shots, actions shots, and emotional/reaction shots.  Unfortunately I didn’t do as well as I’d hoped with the establishing shots, but I got a few reaction shots and a great deal of action shots. read more »

My two older sons have just joined the local swim team.  I’ve been very impressed with the welcome and orientation of new members to the team, both swimmers and parents.  Last week the team held a “Blow Pop Meet” for new additions to the team.  The event was organized and run just like a full blown swim meet, in order for new swimmers and parents to get used to how the events are run.  After completing each even the kids received a Blow Pop or some similar candy, which they thought was really cool.

Being new to swim meets, I decided to practice as well.  I setup my Nikon D300s with the 70-200mm f/2.8 lens and headed to the meet.  Shortly after I arrived one of my sons staged to swim freestyle.  So I decided to freestyle my photos as well.  I shot the starting block, his pass in the water, and then moved down to the end of the pool to get the finish.

While at that end of the pool, I ran into one of the coaches and decided to get some more official information on shooting meets.  I asked where I could and couldn’t shoot from in an official meet.  The coach provided me with some excellent information that will help me to get some great shots of the meet events and more importantly stay out of trouble.  The last thing I want to do as a new parent/photographer in this sport is to interfere with the coaches, swimmers, officials or meet planners.

I’m looking forward to our first official swim meet, which takes place this weekend.  Hopefully, the practice last week and the information I gained from a quick conversation will help me to come away with some great images.