Sports Photography -- Light it Up!

Disclaimer:  If your sports conference/association/confederation/governing body prohibits flash in the gym, then by all means, follow their rules.

Otherwise, I'd like to share some things for you to think about.



Gyms (and many other spaces in our schools) are black holes into which light and good exposures are thrown.  Good DSLRs paired with good, bright lenses (low aperture, f/2.8) paired with educated photographers can produce good photographs.  There are sacrifices, though, and shooting sports at 1600 or 3200 ISO on Tv/S (shutter priority) at 1/250th or higher to stop the action can result in dark photos (if you use a cheap lens) or grainy photos (because the ISO is set so high).

One solution is to add flash.

The pop-up flashes are generally good for nothing.  They illuminate the 10 feet or so immediately in front of the camera, and that's about it.

The tool you really want in this situation (and for many, many more, I'd add) is an accessory strobe or "speedlight" (or "speedlite").  Canon and Nikon each make a few, some at a lower level (think: JV) and others will all the bells and whistles (think: varsity).  Prices range from around $300 to over $600.

I'm now in favor of the Yongnuo 565 EX, which is a Chinese-manufactured knockoff.

It retails for about $160, which makes it incredibly attractive.  It's constructed solidly enough to last you awhile, and has all the features your staff would need to take their photography (sports and otherwise) to the next level.

The strobe can be used on camera, and by spinning the head 180 degrees so it faces backwards, it can be bounced off the wall behind the photographer.  This takes a point source (the three-inch face of the strobe) and diffuses it into a much larger light source, producing a softer, more wraparound type of light.

Off-camera flash, high to camera right.

Add to this the Gadget Infinity V5 Duo flash trigger, and now you're really cooking with gas.  You mount a transmitter on the DSLR's hot shoe, and mount the strobe in the receiver.  Your flash can then be up to 100 feet or more away from the camera and it will still go off.  The possibilities are endless.

Again, off-camera, looks to be to camera
 right; look at the shadows. 

Flash helps stop action.  It freezes the frame, and allows you creative control and latitude in otherwise very limiting situations.  

Two lights, one on either side of the baseline.  Easy to do with a second flash and
another receiver from the Gadget V5 series.  This is very, very easy to do!

So–don't break any rules, but understand that there are more options out there.  If your AD or principal isn't a huge fan of flash, consider shooting practices with them first and getting the coaches used to them.  Shoot practice with and without flash, and print images at 8x10 locally. Take the pictures to a meeting and display them side by side --- ask the Powers That Be which images they'd like representing their school, team, or program.

Food for thought; I'm happy to answer any questions. 

-Mike Simons

West HS / East HS 

Corning-Painted Post, N.Y.