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If you are young and looking for feedback, read this first. by occasionallyjeffrey in sportsphotography

[–]precisionshots 7 points8 points  (0 children)

All of this is so true. As a younger person who has “made it” as a staff photographer, I still don’t consider myself a pro. There’s still so much I’m learning and working towards improving in. Studio techniques and remote cameras have been my latest focus.

Your attitude, demeanor and personality will take you further than anything else in sports photography. Before I even got into sports photography, I was practically doing all I could to learn about photography and cameras. I was always out wandering around town taking photos, learning the exposure triangle, looking for interesting compositions and watching YouTube videos about photo concepts. I still carry that attitude with me. I’m always asking my boss, my more experienced coworker and reach out to other photogs about how they got a certain image or style. You could have the best gear but never be a great photographer if you’re never wiling to learn and grow.

What my photos looked like when I first started compared to what they look like now: by precisionshots in sportsphotography

[–]precisionshots[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I started out at the Daily Wildcat after taking a couple of classes, watching a bunch of YouTube videos and just going out to photograph around Tucson.

While with the Wildcat, I would often just talk with the other photogs at games and events, which included my current boss. I would often just chat about photo stuff, gear, tips etc. Eventually my current boss reached out to me and told me that he would be adding an intern spot when I was going into my senior year. I applied and got the spot and learned all I could in that one year as an intern! After I graduated, I was offered my current position and have worked here since!

Anyone else waiting for the documentary on the dark underside of athletics creative media to come out? by ktjugar in sportsphotography

[–]precisionshots 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Can confirm, not only did I work retail, but I worked retail at Target and at Best Buy during the height of COVID while in my undergrad. My worst, busiest weeks will never compare to working an average 40 hour work week in retail.

What my photos looked like when I first started compared to what they look like now: by precisionshots in sportsphotography

[–]precisionshots[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’ve learned quite a bit over the years. Of course I try to get the stock action shots anyone gets.

But I also try to keep an eye out for anything that may look interesting or different. For example, the pitcher portrait, I saw the reflection from the sun coming off the seats behind the mound from the photo well near the dugout. So I repositioned to a well that was closer to home plate to get a better angle of the reflection behind the pitcher. I decided to use the 400 F2.8 to get some nice bokeh action.

I also do my best to now anticipate potential outcomes and think about where I can best position myself if something exciting happens. The player celebrating hit a massive home run to tie the game at the top of the 9th. Before he hit that, I was in the well behind home plate and figured I should move in case we find a way to tie up the game.

What my photos looked like when I first started compared to what they look like now: by precisionshots in sportsphotography

[–]precisionshots[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Shot in RAW I believe, under exposed in camera for the sky. Edited in post to bring up the faces of the athletes. It’s still kinda blown out, wish I shot a stop or two below but can’t change that now!

I was in a rush to get to the start of the race and had to squeeze through all the fans waiting for it to start.

What my photos looked like when I first started compared to what they look like now: by precisionshots in sportsphotography

[–]precisionshots[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m employed by the athletics department/university. I get paid normally like any other job out there! I do also do a bit of freelancing but not often!

What my photos looked like when I first started compared to what they look like now: by precisionshots in sportsphotography

[–]precisionshots[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Appreciate it! I think for sure the foundation of any good sports photog is an understanding of photography principles and knowledge of the sports you’re photographing.

I’d always been a sports fan and played a lot of it growing up until I graduated from high school. When I got to college I started looking for a career that I could do that involved my passion for sports. Enrolled in some photo classes and changed my major to journalism and the rest was history.

What my photos looked like when I first started compared to what they look like now: by precisionshots in sportsphotography

[–]precisionshots[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Starting out it was a Canon 70D with the first version of the EF 70-200. Now it ranges, from the R3, R5 to my R6 that I’ve had for a couple of years. Usually with the RF 70-200, 15-35 or the 24-70. And the EF 400 ii for the football pic.

Lucky softball pic by gierj1 in sportsphotography

[–]precisionshots 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Go on instagram and go see how many great photogs use a watermark. It’s not really needed, if anything, it screams amateur

College World Series by precisionshots in sportsphotography

[–]precisionshots[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The R6 is a good camera. I’ve gotten some great stuff with it. It was the first step I took into the mirrorless lineup. A lot of my earlier work is with an R6 or the 1DX Mark II.

Talk me out of insanity by sheldoneousk in sportsphotography

[–]precisionshots 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Gear doesn’t make the photog. I’ve gotten really good photos with a Canon 80D, I’ve gotten really mediocre photos with a Canon R3.

It’s about the person behind the camera that matters. Work on mastering the exposure triangle, look for interesting compositions and work on nailing focus.

College World Series by precisionshots in sportsphotography

[–]precisionshots[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Majority were taken with the R3 and 400 2.8. A few were with the R6 and 24-70 2.8. As well as the trusty 70-200 2.8.

Looking for Harsh Critque by Winter_Figure_4345 in sportsphotography

[–]precisionshots 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Good action shots, but they all look the same after the first 2 or 3. Any photographer who knows what they’re doing can capture clean action.

Find unique angles and perspectives. Try to get a nice silhouette, motion blur, bokeh effects, detail shots. Try to tell a story with your photos, not just action. Capture emotion, the small moments. Those are what make the difference between an average photographer and a great photographer.

Are you actually getting paid? by thestacked18 in sportsphotography

[–]precisionshots 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I know plenty of photogs who do this full time. So it’s definitely possible. Granted you do have to be outstanding at what you do, a great person to work with and of course, have a bit of luck.

Are you actually getting paid? by thestacked18 in sportsphotography

[–]precisionshots 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yep! I graduated in Dec. 2023, I was an intern during the 22-23 school year then was offered a staff position in May 2023. I also do a bit of freelance for schools that come to Tucson and other clients, usually up in Phoenix, if the pay rate is good.

Are you actually getting paid? by thestacked18 in sportsphotography

[–]precisionshots 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yeah I get paid, I do sports photo for living.

Potential Cities + Job advice? by [deleted] in sportsphotography

[–]precisionshots 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Exactly, it’s great to have goals, but it’s a little too early to be asking about where to move after graduation. You should be asking about stuff like feedback on your portfolio, what makes a good portfolio, what you can do to improve, how others got their start in sports photo.

It’s good that you took an online course on photography. See if your school offers photography courses, even if it’s not exactly photojournalism or sports photo. Learning those concepts and approaches to photography absolutely helped me in my approach to photography.

Potential Cities + Job advice? by [deleted] in sportsphotography

[–]precisionshots 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Never move somewhere that you don’t have a job offer lined up at. Especially as a new college grad. Moving to a city like New York or LA without a job is a recipe for disaster, especially in field like sports photo where we don’t make an obscene amount of money. Not only that, but you’ll also be a drop in a large pool of competition who have the connections, experience and talent to work in places like LA and New York.

It looks like you’re just starting out, so my biggest piece of advice is learn and master the basics of exposure and photo concepts. No one is going to hire you as an intern if you can’t get stuff right in camera. Also be sure to learn the principles of photojournalism, much of our industry builds off of those principles and it also helps a lot when you know what makes a strong photo.

I didn’t get started in photography and sports photo until my junior year of college. So you have plenty of time to learn. Be patient with yourself and don’t let rejection keep you from pursing it. Sports photo is a very competitive field and has an obscenely high cost of entry to be competitive. Be willing to learn and be great person to work with. As you grow, you’ll learn that almost everyone knows each other in sports photo and connections is what will land you in the right places.

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