Sport&Action Photography

When it comes to sport&action photography what you need is a feeling for the movement, enough storage (you should have a second memory card with you), an alternate battery and unfortunately at least one very fast lense. I say "unfortunately" because a very fast lense in general means a prime "AF-S" lense which can be pretty expensive, even if you buy it second-hand.

The usual attitude of a photographer should be searching unexplored, unknown and unusual views of things and so is mine. However you should always know the basics if you want to bring some noise into common patterns (something very true in my opinion I hear in a similar expression from one of my professors). The same is with action&sport photography, in the beginning you have to copy the professionals.

When I am shooting this kind of photography I try to pick those spots that aren't frequented that often by professional photographers. I think you don't have to visit an 'X-Games' skateboarding contest in order to get an interesting image. Far from it! You'll shoot similar pictures as the pros do (assumed you could have bootleged your camera equipment inside if you were without an accreditation) but remain only a shadow of the pro-photographer who will have the same view but technically in a far better quality.

Glossary

Ultrasonic motor (Nikon: AF-S)

An ultrasonic motor is a type of electric motor formed from the ultrasonic vibration of a component, the stator, placed against another, the rotor or slider depending on the scheme of operation (rotation or linear translation). Ultrasonic motors differ from piezoelectric actuators in several ways, though both typically use some form of piezoelectric material, most often lead zirconate titanate and occasionally lithium niobate or other single-crystal materials. The most obvious difference is the use of resonance to amplify the vibration of the stator in contact with the rotor in ultrasonic motors. Ultrasonic motors also offer arbitrarily large rotation or sliding distances, while piezoelectric actuators are limited by the static strain that may well be induced in the piezoelectric element.

Please read on further information at wikipedia.org
Shutterspeed

Shutterspeed was an independent rock band from Australia, led by frontman Andrew Petersen, which has released two albums and several singles and EPs. The band enjoyed some radio airplay, especially the 'Good Little Monkey' single, but it was their live performances with established their reputation. Shutterspeed shows were passionate, energetic and unpredictable, with the band creating exciting soul-infused rock; they often played long sets, throwing imprompu snippets of cover versions into their own songs. The classic lineup, circa the 'Custom Made Hit Parade' album, toured New Zealand in late 2003. By mid-2004 the band had split, with guitarist Anthony Dettori and keybaordist Morgan Wilson forming The Newtown Jets and bass guitarist Dan Alder joining Shifter. Petersen, with drummer Scott Lapthorne and new bass player Matt Kafoa, continued as a three-piece Shutterspeed, recording the 'Turn to Black' EP. Petersen and Kafoa relocated to the UK in mid-2005, playing as My Scarlet Darling with drummer Darren Lee. In late 2006 Andrew Petersen returned to Australia and is currently working on a solo project and new Shutterspeed material.

Please read on further information at wikipedia.org
Film speed

Film speed is the measure of a photographic film's sensitivity to light, determined by sensitometry and measured on various numerical scales, the most recent being the ISO system. Relatively insensitive film, with a correspondingly lower speed index requires more exposure to light to produce the same image density as a more sensitive film, and is thus commonly termed a slow film. Highly sensitive films are correspondingly termed fast films. A closely related ISO system is used to measure the sensitivity of digital imaging systems. In both digital and film photography, the reduction of exposure corresponding to use of higher sensitivities generally leads to reduced image quality (via coarser film grain or higher image noise of other types). Basically, the higher the film speed, the faster the shutter, the worse quality the photo.

Please read on further information at wikipedia.org
Rear-curtain sync

Some modern electronic cameras include the ability to fire the flash just before the closing of the shutter, so that moving objects will show a streak where they came from and a sharp image where they were at the end of the exposure, useful for moving objects to convey a sense of speed. This mode is called either rear-curtain sync or 2nd-curtain sync.

Please read on further information at wikipedia.org

boxing
skateboarding
sportdiving
cat jumping

boxing 1		H

		H
		H
Exif data
Focal length	50mm
Aperture	f2
Shutter speed	1/400sec
ISO	200
Flash
Flash Mode	1x on axis iTTL
Flash Exposure	0EV
Description
Image content description The fight Javier Castillejo (Spain) vs. Mariano Natalio Carrera (Argentina) is their second clash. In this fight both are fighting to eliminate for the vacant championship challenger position.

boxing 2		H

		H
		H
Exif data
Focal length	50mm
Aperture	f2
Shutter speed	1/400sec
ISO	200
Flash
Flash Mode	1x on axis iTTL
Flash Exposure	0EV
Description
Image content description Castillejo on the left and Carrera on the right.

boxing 3		H

		H
		H
Exif data
Focal length	50mm
Aperture	f2
Shutter speed	1/400sec
ISO	200
Flash
Flash Mode	1x on axis iTTL
Flash Exposure	0EV
Description
Image content description Castillejo marches fearlessly from the very beginning towards his opponent. Carrera punches some good counterstrikes in the first rounds and keeps Javier at arm's length.

boxing 4		H

		H
		H
Exif data
Focal length	50mm
Aperture	f2.8
Shutter speed	1/400sec
ISO	200
No flash
Description
Image content description Castillejo's attack ends once again on the good Argentinian defense.

boxing 5		H

		H
		H
Exif data
Focal length	50mm
Aperture	f2.8
Shutter speed	1/400sec
ISO	200
No flash
Description
Image content description Castillejo pins his opponent in the corner.

boxing 6		H

		H
		H
Exif data
Focal length	50mm
Aperture	f2.8
Shutter speed	1/320sec
ISO	400
No flash
Description
Image content description Both boxers hit with their jab at the same moment.

boxing 7		H

		H
		H
Exif data
Focal length	50mm
Aperture	f2.8
Shutter speed	1/320sec
ISO	400
Flash
Flash Mode	1x on axis iTTL
Flash Exposure	0EV
Description
Image content description The calm before the storm? Both boxers waiting for their chance, fixing each other carefully.

boxing 8		H

		H
		H
Exif data
Focal length	50mm
Aperture	f2.8
Shutter speed	1/320sec
ISO	400
Flash
Flash Mode	1x on axis iTTL
Flash Exposure	0EV
Description
Image content description Carrera placed a strike on Javier which seems to impress him a little bit.

boxing 9		H

		H
		H
Exif data
Focal length	50mm
Aperture	f2.8
Shutter speed	1/320sec
ISO	400
Flash
Flash Mode	1x on axis iTTL
Flash Exposure	0EV
Description
Image content description The fight enters the decisive phase. Both guys try to find a weakness they could capitalize.

boxing 10		H

		H
		H
Exif data
Focal length	50mm
Aperture	f2.8
Shutter speed	1/320sec
ISO	400
Flash
Flash Mode	1x on axis iTTL
Flash Exposure	0EV
Description
Image content description In the end of the fight the Argentinian guy lost more and more the control and it was Castillejo's stamina that decided the fight.

boxing 11		H

		H
		H
Exif data
Focal length	50mm
Aperture	f2.8
Shutter speed	1/320sec
ISO	400
Flash didn't fire
Description
Image content description Does Castillejo whisper in his ear: "That's your end boy!" The memory card was full, the batteries empty and the fight soon was over.

skateboarding 1		H

		H
		H
Exif data
Focal length	82mm
Aperture	f3.2
Shutter speed 1.frame	1/200sec
Shutter speed 2.frame	1/180sec
Shutter speed 2.frame	1/160sec
ISO	400
No flash
Description
Image content description Speedy skateboarder with long hair does an high "ollie transfer" over the funbox.

skateboarding 2		H

		H
		H
Exif data
Focal length	175mm
Aperture	f3.2
Shutter speed	1/350sec
ISO	400
No flash
Description
Image content description Skateboarder with hat tries an "ollie to frontside 5-O grind" on curb.

skateboarding 3		H

		H
		H
Exif data
Focal length	110mm
Aperture	f3.2
Shutter speed 1.frame	1/250sec
Shutter speed 2+3.frame	1/200sec
ISO	400
No flash
Description
Image content description A speedy high "ollie into bank" attempt.

skateboarding 4		H

		H
		H
Exif data
Focal length	70mm
Aperture	f3.2
Shutter speed 1.frame	1/400sec
Shutter speed 2.frame	1/350sec
Shutter speed 3.frame	1/320sec
ISO	400
No flash
Description
Image content description Another speedy high "ollie transfer" jump.

skateboarding 5		H

		H
		H
Exif data - left skater
Focal length	125mm
Aperture	f3.2
Shutter speed	1/500sec
ISO	400
Exif data - right skater
Focal length	70mm
Aperture	f3.2
Shutter speed	1/200sec
ISO	400
Description
Image content description Left skater jumping a "heelflip" Right skater doing a "frontside air and grab"

skateboarding 6		H

		H
		H
Exif data
Focal length	170mm
Aperture	f3.2
Shutter speed	1/500sec
ISO	400
No flash
Description
Image content description This guy was really amazing. Almost every trick was very special. Here he's attempting an "ollie to backside tailslide".

skateboarding 7		H

		H
		H
Exif data - left skater
Focal length	75mm
Aperture	f3.2
Shutter speed	1/200sec
ISO	400
Exif data - right skater
Focal length	86mm
Aperture	f3.2
Shutter speed	1/400sec
ISO	400
Description
Image content description Flying studies Both skaters with an "ollie transfer"

skateboarding 8		H

		H
		H
Exif data - left skater
Focal length	130mm
Aperture	f3.2
Shutter speed	1/640sec
ISO	400
Exif data - right skater
Focal length	70mm
Aperture	f3.2
Shutter speed	1/250sec
ISO	400
Description
Image content description Flori trying an "ollie to frontside noseslide"

skateboarding 9		H

		H
		H
Exif data
Focal length	125mm
Aperture	f3.2
Shutter speed 1.frame	1/320sec
Shutter speed 2.frame	1/500sec
ISO	400
No flash
Description
Image content description "Nose grind" or "overcrooked"

skateboarding 10		H

		H
		H
Exif data
Focal length	170mm
Aperture	f3.2
Shutter speed	1/500sec
ISO	400
No flash
Description
Image content description "Varial heelflip"

skateboarding 11		H

		H
		H
Exif data
Focal length	130mm
Aperture	f3.2
Shutter speed 1.frame	1/250sec
Shutter speed 2+3.frame	1/320sec
ISO	400
No flash
Description
Image content description "Nollie heelflip to frontside lipslide"

skateboarding 12		H

		H
		H
Exif data
Focal length	125mm
Aperture	f3.2
Shutter speed	1/500sec
ISO	400
No flash
Description
Image content description "Heelflip"

sportdiving 1		H

		H
		H
Exif data
Focal length	50mm
Aperture	f8
Shutter speed	1/320sec
ISO	200
No flash
Description
Image content description Some of our club members preparing for the first dive

sportdiving 2		H

		H
		H
Exif data
Focal length	170mm
Aperture	f4.5
Shutter speed	1/125sec
ISO	200
No flash
Description
Image content description Obligatory equipment "buddy check" before diving

sportdiving 3		H

		H
		H
Exif data
Focal length	130mm
Aperture	f5
Shutter speed	1/180sec
ISO	200
No flash
Description
Image content description Diving at its romantic aspect

sportdiving 4		H

		H
		H
Exif data
Focal length	200mm
Aperture	f2.8
Shutter speed	1/320sec
ISO	200
No flash
Description
Image content description Playing with the depth of field: in the foreground a plant, in the background the "romantic" buddies :)

sportdiving 5a		H

		H
		H
Exif data
Focal length	200mm
Aperture	f4
Shutter speed	1/500sec
ISO	200
No flash
Description
Image content description The first moments of the dive: Emptying the "jacket"

sportdiving 5b		H

		H
		H
Exif data
Focal length	200mm
Aperture	f4
Shutter speed	1/500sec
ISO	200
No flash
Description
Image content description The first moments of the dive: The "jacket" almost empty

sportdiving 5c		H

		H
		H
Exif data
Focal length	200mm
Aperture	f4
Shutter speed	1/500sec
ISO	200
No flash
Description
Image content description The first moments of the dive: Now you have only to empty your lungs...

sportdiving 5d		H

		H
		H
Exif data
Focal length	200mm
Aperture	f4
Shutter speed	1/500sec
ISO	200
No flash
Description
Image content description The first moments of the dive: ...and you begin to sink... assumed you have the correct amount of plumb with you :)

cat jumping 1		H

		H
		H
Exif data
Focal length	95mm
Aperture	f4
Shutter speed	1/1250sec
ISO	800
No flash
Description
Image content description Cat in the Superman air position - 10 points :) Cat landing on our terrace roof - PUUUH, it always looks so damn tight

cat jumping 2a		H

		H
		H
Exif data
Focal length	17mm
Aperture	f4
Shutter speed	1/1250sec
ISO	400
No flash
Description
Image content description Fasten your seatbelt, cat is taking off :)

cat jumping 2b		H

		H
		H
Exif data
Focal length	17mm
Aperture	f4
Shutter speed	1/1250sec
ISO	400
No flash
Description
Image content description ...and landing again.

photography	Camera Equipment

	Device:	Nikon D200
	Lens 1:	AF 50 F/1.4
Content sport and action images exploring the movement	Lens 2:	AF-S 17-35/2.8
	Lens 3:	AF-S 70-200/2.8
	Peripherical Equipment
	Tripod:	Gitzo GT3540LS
	Lights:	4xStrobos
	Light Stands:	1xBoom + 2x101B

contact me!		H

		H
		H
Address
Name	Klaudiusz Szatanik
Street	Ulmer Strasse 48
City	73066 Uhingen
Fon	0173 3030301
email	racl@klaudiusz.de