by Linda Alter

Created on: October 26, 2008   Last Updated: October 30, 2008

Do you love photography? Does it flow in your veins? Here are some great photography tips for the action photographer. Stop action photography can be an exciting adventure for the photographer and can lead to many rewards!

As with any action shot, action photographs need to be timed well. One of the best sports photography tips I can give you, is to be ready, at all times! Let's take a ski shot...if you can imagine the skier coming down the slope, shushing this way and that, with the snow flying all about them. If you don't get the shot in the very instant that it is perfection, it is lost forever!

Although action photography is all about quality, and not quantity, it is advisable to take many pictures, so you won't miss that special moment and let it pass you by. In order to do this, you will need a camera that has a fast shutter and one that you can take multiple split second shots. Many cameras, especially the newer digital cameras, will not permit this, so be sure when purchasing a camera, that you can snap multiple shots per second. You will be glad you spent the extra money on a finer camera, if you are serious about your craft!

Many action shots are taken at sporting events. I can't say it enough: KNOW THE SPORT! Always be sure to research your sport well, before attempting to take photographs, it will make your pictures of higher quality!

It is NOT the camera that makes or breaks a picture, but the photographer behind the camera. It should be an inbuilt instinct, to know when a good picture is coming up! You should always be looking at things from a photographer's eyes! There is one instance when I can say that it is more than the photographer that makes for a great picture, and that is action photography. I can give you some great photography tips, but you need a good camera to go along with your knowledge. Without a good camera, it is very hard to take great action shots. Some cameras don't have f-stops and they are all "instant". These cameras are for people who are not serious about photography. We as photographers, need good cameras to take good pictures.

Digital photography is now the rage, however, in order to get a good camera, you will have to spend a lot of money. You will need to get a good digital SLR (single lens reflex) and be sure it is one that you can change the lenses on! The best option for action photography, is a good old 35 mm camera with a few different lenses to choose from.

Lens speed is critical to action photography. If the lens speed is fast, then the shutter speed will be fast. This will enable you to take multiple pictures, within seconds of each other. If you are taking pictures of that skier shushing down the mountain, you can have a picture of them every other second all the way down the mountain, with the right shutter speed and lens!

The difference between a good photo and a great photo, is the amount of thought that goes into the picture. Always have a plan of action before you take off on a photo shoot. Think carefully about what types of photos you will be taking, and plan to have the correct equipment in your bag, and you will be a success!

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