Filming Sports

Filming Sports

Filming sports can be a pretty big challenge ! Depending on the sport, it can be high action or calm, and will require different filming techniques to properly capture the event. One of the firsts questions that are asked is should I use a tripod ? I guess it depends on the sport you are filming. If filming a soccer match it might be hard to keep the camera on the ball if there are a lot of passes. The downside is that you lose on stability. I would recommend using a tripod for sports where the idea is to create the best action shot for promotional use. If on the other hand I wish to capture a larger segment of a sport with constant action, for instance a game of soccer or football that lasts an hour or more, beiing tripod free means your quicker to get the action, at the cost of stability control. Time to pull out those hand held skills !
Preparation is an important part of filming sports. Arriving 30mins to an hour in advance before the game will help in finding the best location. Also it can give you a chance to discuss the object of the film with the coach and players. Be aware not to get too close of the action to avoid getting nailed by a ball or a player. Viewers appreciate dynamic views so the ground level is a sure bet. If filming for a coaching analysis it would be best to have a higher view.
It is recommended to maintain a high F-stop while filming if you can adjust this setting on your camera in order to properly capture the depth of the event. A larger F-stop will require slower shutter speeds and produce images with larger depths of field. Finally, filming the surroundings of the area is always a good idea for viewers are often desensitized to the sport alone. The objects that can hold a story themselves, or without revealing much triggers viewers imagination and attention.
Whats best is when you have a genuine interest for the sport, which helps you capture its spirit ! Hope this post on sports filming tips is helpfull !
Tom