Digital Sports Photography: Take Winning Shots Every Time

Chapter 4. Outdoor Field and Court Sports

© Joy Absalon

When it comes to athletic endeavors, outdoor field and court sports account for a large percentage of what we play and watch. Whether it's football, baseball, soccer, or tennis, one of these is always in season somewhere in the world. It's hard to drive into any town on earth and not find a few kids swinging a bat or kicking a ball. These sports have become a part of our national and cultural identity and are pastimes occupying the free moments of many people.

This chapter covers how three major sports — football, baseball, and soccer — can be photographed effectively whether you're taking snapshots of Little League or you aspire to bigger ranks; then, we will touch on key photographic elements for a number of other outdoor field and court sports such as tennis, track and field, lacrosse, and volleyball. While some of these sports, such as volleyball, track, and tennis, can also be played indoors, we're covering them in the outdoors section because a significant number of events take place outdoors (beach volleyball, especially, has become a notable outdoor sport).

General Positioning

Much of how you watch and participate in field and court sports takes place while watching TV, where you can see all of the action as if you were on the field. Then you take to the fields and courts of your own neighborhoods and towns to mimic the pros ...