Eliminate clutter and youll draw the viewers eye to your subject, which is the point of shooting in the first place. Then, allow the runner to make their way into the frame. With the exception of the finish line and people running in fancy dress, try to stay away from shooting the whole of the body. Many races have different classes of competition. Your email address will not be published. They determine a viewers perception and form a scene. They say that time changes things, and this time it sure did. Here are 3 of the 7 steps we uncover in this 21 minute video: Camera shake is one of the major curses of handheld photography. This was achieved using a pan blur, with the shutter set on just 1/30th of a second. Also, be sure to try high and low angles.

These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. What is in-focus one instant is out-of-focus the next. Health professionals suggest that you run every day for at least 30 minutes to stay healthy. Your email address will not be published. The works of abstract and impressionist painters may look like a childs hand painting, but if you ever look at these masters early works youll realize that they learned the rules, then chose to break them. When photographing runners, excellent images require a balance of preparation, the right gear, settings, and composition. To pan, keep the runner centered in the viewfinder (break the rule of thirds) and track him as you hold the shutter down. If youre photographing a runner by yourself, a monopod allows you to move around and capture the best angles. This means we may receive a commission if you purchase something by clicking on one of our links. It is difficult to shoot runners with a panning motion. In AL Servo mode, the camera tries to measure the motion of the subject and correctly set the focus to where it thinks it will be when the shutter opens. Youll be outside so prepared for rain the weather can turn at any time, at the very least carry a bag so that the camera can go away if necessary. Additionally, longer lenses offer stunning separation from the background. Most top-tier cameras deliver this resolutionsome even double it. The couple of hours after sunrise and before sunset can be great as well, and photos taken in full but bright shade, say on the northern side of a hill, can be snappy. Shooting the face isnt easy. On overcast days with a fast shutter and a relatively narrow aperture, it can be a struggle not to underexpose a photo with a low ISO. If youre photographing a runner running longer distances, wait for them to reach their full strides before taking pictures. Your camera settings, equipment, location, timing, and the shots you take are equally important. It results in sharper images and a faster lens. Easily the most common reason for poor focus and blurry images, Leaving your camera on its default settings will produce blurry results, Post processing wont fix a blurry image from a slow shutter . Turn on your cameras burst modedigital frames are freeand youll increase your chances of getting the right expression. What happened? We get thousands of great photos and many of them look the same. Its worth noting, however, that this rule is only relevant to full-frame cameras. The lens you stick onto your camera will also affect sharpness. More importantly, it has a much shallower depth of field when it is shot wide open, letting you blur out a distracting background or foreground (more on depth of field later). You should be dressed properly so that you can take photographs comfortably.

To be sure, some off-brand lenses are very good, but you wont know until you buy one and test it out. Almost all DSLRs and some point-and-shoots give you the option of shooting JPEG (low quality), JPEG fine (medium quality) or RAW (maximum quality). The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". Be careful about chopping off the ends of limbs: if youre going to get most of the arm in the shot, get it all in. Related article: Whats positive and negative space? Bright sunlight washes out colors and produces harsh, distracting shadowsespecially on faces. Anyone can press a cameras button and adhere to the rule of thirds, but only a true artist can bring a vision to life. Next, get either a 12mm or 24mm. Ask The Coach How Should You Approach Aid Stations? Youll find yourself surrounded by people; take care to keep your equipment safe. The faster f/1.4 will cost over twice as much, but because it can shoot in lower light, will occasionally let you get a pic thats impossible with the f/1.8. The aperture adjustment will vary wildly depending on your lenstake the same photo with the aperture all the way open, then fully stopped down and watch the depth of field change. So, if you are photographing on a sunny day, you should set your camera to a low ISO. Consider the crowd at a marathon (of which theres plenty), do you want them in focus? You should have the sharpest aperture to take such a photograph. Most of the pictures you take will be full-body running shots. It can get pretty crowded at a marathon theres no way theres room for you, your camera bag and a tripod! Runners love to show off their glistening pecs, but pearly white skin against a stunning backdrop is unappetizing. A wide range of apertures ensures you capture different types of images. Copy the survivors to your computer, then view them in JPEG mode. Besides choosing a camera with as many megapixels as you can afford, get one that uses quality lenses such as those from Canon or Nikon. Photo-management software such as Lightroom 2 or Photo Mechanic are great tools. Pick a pebble on the trail at a place where you like the composition, focus on that pebble, compose, then start shooting right before the runner arrives at the pebble. Slow it down as much as you can without getting blurriness from the camera shake. As mentioned earlier, use your cameras aperture to set a depth of field that puts the runner in-focus and other parts of the photo out-of-focus. When most people run, their arms and legs are churning, yet their torsos and heads arentyou get the head sharp but the rest of the body is blurred. Strive for a pleasant, balanced photo by dividing your viewfinder into thirds vertically and horizontally and placing your subject in a quadrant that isnt centered. Family and friends often cheer runners on get some shots. Usually, your camera will do a good job of processing JPEGs, and if you dont know what you are doing in Photoshop, a processed RAW file can actually look worse than a JPEG. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Autofocus ensures that your subject is in focus and continuous shooting provides plenty of options. Find a unique perspective by climbing a tree, standing on a boulder, lying on your back or shooting from a higher or lower vantage point. Get a solid foundation by knowing how you are supposed to do it, then do it your way. Best of all, you dont have to pay to get in and you dont need a pass to bring in your camera so get out there and start shooting!

Then, be ready to capture the group of runners at the beginning of the race. The website www.kenrockwell.com is loaded with solid camera and lens reviews. If possible, scout the race route so you can find the best backgrounds and angles. Additionally, consider the weather and position of the sun throughout the day. Learn as much as you can about running. To freeze action, a shutter speed of 1/320th of a second is the lowest you can go, and even then youll get more blurry than crisp shots. It does not store any personal data. A low ISO ensures that your images are high-quality and are free of digital noise. But, if you want to actually enjoy the experience and nail quality shots, specialized gear is a must. Imagine Mona Lisa. If you have the opportunity, scout out the route beforehand to get an idea of the best views and vantage points, and where the sun is likely to be at a particular time. A shot list is essential. Related article: Best Manfrotto tripods for photographers. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Hes a published portrait photographer dedicated to helping photographers develop skills, capture incredible photos, and build successful businesses. Now that you know how to take great running photos, start applying the tips today. You can trail run in army boots, and you can photograph trail running with a disposable camera. Most running photos are shot outdoors and during the day. To blur the background, use a wide aperture. Most shooters, for simple lack of knowing better, just stand flat footed facing the runner and bang away. The trade off is that when you shoot with a large aperture, much of what you see through the viewfinder will be in-focus and you lose that blurred painterly feel where those flowers in the foreground or peaks in the background are softly out-of-focus. Try to travel light if possible. Use the lowest ISO possible. Get ahead of the group and compose a good photograph. When the backdrop is drab, shoot tight and emphasize the runner and action. There issuch a mixed range of emotions to capture in quite a challenging setting: itll test your skills but by following these 10 simple steps, youllproduce excellent results. Well, running photography is challenging and it needs a lot of practice. Centering your subject is visual suicide for photography. Photos such as these isolate the runner, drawing your eye to the action, which is the ultimate goal. Try to be slightly to the side to show the motion of their stride. With all lenses, buy the lowest aperture you can afford. Since only really good photos are published, study magazines and websites to learn the best compositions. You can show a sense of motion by panning with the runner and shooting at a slow shutter speed. Once you have your photos selected, its time to dress them up in post-production software such as Photoshop. Try to photograph runner crossing the finish line banner with the timing clock in the photo. Make sure you get tight photos of runners with the race logo or sponsors name and logo in the foreground (on the runners bib) or background. For more information, readAffiliate Disclosure. Wheelchair racers make interesting photos too get some images. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Continue shooting until the runner is past the pebble. Keep your AutoFocus on Continuous. Ripping off a thousand digi images is one thing, but then what? Using a lower ISO results in more detailed images and, in broad daylight, theres no need to have it any higher than the minimum your camera will go. The photographer tracked the runner as she zipped by and a wide 50mm lens stopped way down to f/16 minimized focus error. Curated running advice, news, and perspectives for people who love to lace up. To freeze the action, youre going to need a shutter speed of at least 1/250sec, and generally the faster your subject and the larger it is in frame, the higher this will be. Dont pack your bag too heavy; otherwise, you wont be able to take photographs properly. Go hog wild if the photos are for your own use, but use a light touch if you are sending them to a publisher. On a DX DSLR youll need around 10-12mm minimum for the best results try the AF-P DX 10-20mm or the AF-S DX 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5G ED while if youre using a full-frame camera, go for a 16-17mm minimum focal length, such as the 16-35mm f/4 or the 14-24mm f/2.8. Plus, when youre handholding, for pin-sharp shots the rule of thumb is to set a shutter speed at least as high as the lenss maximum reach, so if youre using the 18-300mm, youll need a shutter speed of at least 1/320sec. The larger the aperture number, the deeper the depth of field, and the more likely youll get your subject in-focus. Still, you need a lot of practice to become good at the job. So, ISO 100-400 should be sufficient for a well-exposed image. Images around eight megapixels are common for todays point-and-shoots, although 10 megapixels is becoming more common. Its preferred over single-shot mode because you dont need the perfect timing. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Happily, these lenses are also usually the least expensive. Then, your cameras processor makes the adjustments to spiff up the image.

Leave room around the jogger. Lenses with longer focal lengths make it easier to capture the perfect running photo. There are lots of emotions in the volunteers, family members and children. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. But, study the photos by greats such as Clifford and Dan Patitucci and youll note that (usually) either the foreground or background or both are intentionally softly out-of-focus, while the runner is tack sharp. Itll be tough to shoot from more than a couple of locations along the race route. So, identify the frame and background first. Runners move quickly. Consider the crowd as interesting subjects as well try to include them in the photos of runners. However, dont just shoot at these hours. So, use the following tips to improve your running photography. For a crop sensor, due to its magnifying effect, you would be better off choosing a speed of 1/160 of a second, however, for moving subjects in broad daylight, I find 1/500 is a good speed to use. Slow down your shutter speed to capture motion blur. These tips will help you to take photographs of runners perfectly. While youre out shooting, make sure you capture a variety of perspectives. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. You can also select your interests for free access to our premium training: If youre lacking inspiration and dont know what to take photos of, marathons are a great example of an opportunity to broaden your photographic horizons. Expert Photography 2011-2022. Handheld shooting can get tiring, and a monopod ensures you dont get worn out. Tripods are excellent for stabilization. Junky photos with power lines, gear strewn on the ground and other visual detritus dont hack it. Shoot at sunrise and sunset, when the low slant of light brings out the colors and adds a nice golden hue. This is by the far the most important step towardsproducingthe best photos possible. They just look fake and, since most cameras will shoot at the fastest at 1/250th of a second shutter speed, shots taken with your cameras flash are destined to be blurry. White garb can work, but brown, grey, black and all natural tones are often duds. And their monitor is calibrated to SWOP print standards, while yours likely isnt, meaning the colors you behold are different from the ones an editor will see. To blur the runner, adjust the shutter to 1/30th and press the shutter (set on burst) as he goes by. If you are shooting two or more runners, the problems compound exponentiallyits tough to snap that pic where everyone is simultaneously in a nice stride with pleasing facial expressions. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". Somewhere along one of our trail runs weve all crested a stony ridge and been smacked in the face by a Kodachrome moment: a breathtaking panorama of rolling green meadows, azure sky and screaming yellow wildflowers. Using a wide-angle lens such as 24mm will make it easier to follow the runner and will reduce camera shake. Make your runners pop by dressing them in bright, contrasting shirts and shorts. Unnatural strides stand out and dont look good. When someone is running straight at you, youll often get the undesirable peg leg, effect, where one foot is kicked high and obscured by the runners thigh, making that leg appear as if it was bitten off at the knee. If you want to capture the emotion of the runner then its best to take a picture when the runner is at the top of the hill exhausted or at the corner of a road where you can take a close-up picture of the runner if you are lucky. Most people run with their faces screwed up into an unflattering wince or have their eyes squinted nearly shut or have their mouths agape. However, close-up images of the runners, as well. Disadvantages: RAW photos gobble up card space and are slow to load on a computer. Fortunately, modern cameras make it easier to focus on composing the shot rather than adjusting the settings. Theres a lot going on! Corners are also goodbecause, if youre on the right side of the road, the runners will be much closer to you. To photograph runners in sharp focus, use a shutter speed of 1/250 or faster. Eliminate motion blur by shooting with a shutter speed of 1/400th or faster. It seems like backward thinking because most photographers do the opposite, but itll make your images much better. If your camera has an AL Servomode (AF-C for Nikon users), switch to it. Did you wonder how the photographer took pictures of a running person without blurring the image or how the photographer focused on the runner despite having so many people around? Google maps is a useful alternative. Some basic capture sharpening and color correction is fine, but leave the big strokes for an editor. With longer lenses, you have the choice between prime and zoom lenses.

After everybody is in, there is usually a food line or some award ceremonies where you can take candid photos of runners and their supporters. The marathon runners are likely to be a reasonable distancefrom you so make sure you have a long lens; somewhere in the 70-200mm range should do. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. Since runners are moving, the leading space is the area in front of your subject. Edit, baby, edit. Great running photography is all about stride, capturing the instant when at least one (ideally both) of the runners feet are in the air. Shooting in burst mode can be considered a bit of a spray and pray technique but it allows you to get as many potentially good shots as possible.

Facial expressions convey information and add drama, while seeing someones eyes engages you. You should set the aperture from 8/f to 11/f to take a clear and detailed photograph of a runner who is sweating. When youre photographing runners, use autofocus and continuous shooting. You can now download a PDF version of this Hints & Tips article to read offline and print, WELCOME TO NIKON SCHOOL LEARN PHOTOGRAPHY WITH NIKON - THE ONLY OFFICAL LOCATION FOR NIKON PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOPS, Continuous AF focus mode (AF-C) enables you to keep the focus bang on track, focusing on your subject continuously all the while the shutter-release button is half-depressed. David Em is the founder of Portraits Refined. Aside from focusing solely on the runner, feature people cheering them on or other aspects of the environment. Getting the hands and stride right takes timing and instructiontell your runners what you want. If you hold it steady, you might have an interesting photo. You should turn on image stabilization so that there is no movement because slight movement can make the photo blur. The higher a cameras burst rate, the better: nine frames per second great; four per sec is just passable. Most of the better cameras let you shoot in RAW and JPEG format at the same time. It ensures you find the perfect angles and where to stand. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Check before you send. Light blue, red and yellow stand out in almost all situations. The best runners will be in the front of the pack but often there are more impactful photographic stories of runners in the middle and end. Instead, youll press and hold the shutter to capture many images in seconds. Get close ups of exhausted runners faces. However, they take up a lot of space and arent easy to move around. Practice photographing runners before the big race. You may also need to boost the ISO to enable a fast enough shutter speed in the light available. Same-size runner, same lens, same light, same perspective and even the same runners. You cannot be close to the runner if you are photographing a race. Dont get discouraged if you do everything right and still get a blurry photo.

For details, a telephoto zoom such as a 70-300mm will enable you to crop in tight with the long end to fill the frame with the running pack if youre standing some distance away, or on individual runners faces, feet, competitor-number bibs and so on. Having the lead foot just beginning to touch down or push off also works well. A tripod can help, but usually youll be shooting on the fly and wont have one. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Its important for handheld shooting. Often, the finish line area is extremely crowded and restricted to the official race camera. With motion blur, your image will have a sense of direction and movement. Because of traffic and crowds, a bicycle will be your best means of moving along the route. So, a monopod holds your camera and lens without getting in the way of viewers and other photographers. Colorful knit caps add another good color splash, but brimmed caps shade the eyesdont allow them. Join Outside+ to get Trail Runner magazine, access to exclusive content, 1,000s of training plans, and more. Another tip for nailing focus is to adjust your lens aperture to give you a deep depth of field, the invisible box inside which everything in your photo will be in-focus and everything not in the box is out-of-focus. You will see most people running in parks and neighbourhoods in the morning. Depending on the length of your photo session, you may need to bring water and food. Regardless, a long lens is a necessity in running photography. Remember that the faster the lens (i.e. Running can burn calories and make you fit. Whether youre photographing runners at a marathon, on a trail, the track, or in the city, the goal is to capture them in crisp focus. But since your computer is more powerful than the processor in your camera, your options for making adjustments are nearly unlimited.

If the runner moves quickly, a shutter speed of 1/500 or faster is best. Images where the runner is blurred and the background and foreground arent, or where the runner is sharp against blurred surroundings, convey action, and make them stand out. At Trail Runner, we see thousands of photos a year.

Get access to more than 30 brands, premium video, exclusive content, events, mapping, and more. Most vexing are the Image Quality options. It allows you to freeze movement and capture the perfect stride. It may take a lot of time and you might have to be out for the whole day, especially if you want to photograph marathons. So, you should carry a bag with your necessary things like food, water, mobile, keys and other things along with your photography gear. When someone is running, the point of focus relative to your camera constantly changes.

Typically, photos of the runner landing dont look the best. Before your shoot, make sure your cameras, lenses, and memory cards work properly. Marathons offer a great opportunity for a detailed, crisp photo of someone with sweat dripping off them so, to do this, you want to have your aperture at around f/8 f/11, where the lens will be at it, s sharpest. ExpertPhotography is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. Unless you have overcast skies to soften the light and bring out the colors, you are wasting your time. Let the runners come into the photo frame then run off a burst. Create a personalized feed and bookmark your favorites. ), pre-focus and, usually, youll still have to ask the runner to do it again and again. Everything should be ready the night before the event or photoshoot. The rule of thirds is an excellent way to improve your running photography. Connect with aspiring and professional photographers, Learn how to improve any kind of photography, Get access to exclusive discounts, courses, rewards, etc, Find daily inspiration in a diverse community. If the subject is running directly towards the camera, use the rule of thirds without worrying about leading space. Portraits Refined may earn a commission on purchases made from links on this page. If you can just buy one lens, get a 50mm f/1.4. Remember, a natural-looking stride is crucial. As budget allows, add a medium telephoto such as a 85mm or 105mm. What type of shots are you after? With excellent preparation, comes the best opportunities and outcomes. Photograph the crowd as the runners pass. To print a sharp photo in a classy mag like Trail Runner you need a camera that will take photos of 10 megapixels, minimum. Remember, except for some of the fastest runners, most of the recreational runners will look like they are almost walking in the photos. When shooting fast-moving subjects, theres rarely time to stop and review the photos between shots. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. So, a long lens allows you to capture an image with detail without being nearby. A fast shutter speed also protects your photos from blur due to camera shake. Subscribe to our mailing list and get interesting stuff and updates to your email inbox. Most of that post-production work goes out the window if you take JPEGs. Please confirm you want to block this member. Using a lens with VR (vibration reduction) technology will enable you to shoot handheld at up to four stops slower than otherwise possible for sharper results, so if its on your lens, make sure its switched on! A shutter speed of 1/500 or faster will freeze runners motion while a shutter speed of approximately 1/25 will show motion when panning. Steady yourself by bracing against a tree and keep your elbows tight to your sides. While the runner is the main subject, the background and surroundings impact the story. Focus problems are second only to shutter speed as the cause of blurred running shots. ExpertPhotography is part of several affiliate sales networks. Again, keep your elbows pressed in and concentrate on only moving the camera laterally, not up and down. Having your runner run parallel to you instead of at you, for instance, will keep the runner in the focus plane longer. If you want to take running photographs, then you need to go outdoors. Soft photos are caused by using a shutter speed that is too slow to freeze the action and/or blowing the focus. A few of the better point-and-shoots have most of the features youll need, and high-end point-and-shoots can be better than low-end digital-single-lens-reflex (DSLR) cameras. Big, heavy lenses such as a 200mm or 300mm, on the other hand, are unforgiving. Try different perspectives. Lightweight, small, simple to use and relatively inexpensive, point-and-shoots are ideal for getting shots to post online, show at slideshows or make prints for mom. The best coverage will result from a team of photographers placed at different spots along the route. Monopods help with verticalstabilizationas well as doubling up as a walking stick between positions on the 26 mile race. Digital cameras have a confusing display of settings that can make the cockpit of a passenger jet seem like a deprivation tank. Youll probably find it best to hand-hold the camera, as tripods are slow to set up and can get in the way in crowds of spectators. Regardless of the type of runner, preparation is required. In marathons and races, there are crowds. That magical moment looks fuzzy, dim and as unappealing as a warm mayo sandwich.