Here at Parrot Print we’ve covered how to capture cycling photography, but we’ve never talked about sports photography as a whole. Today we’re going to go through the basics of sports photography, so you can turn your sports snaps into incredible canvas prints.

Before we get into all the technical stuff surrounding your camera and its settings, we thought we’d give you a basic introduction. From action shots to a sports photography checklist, you’ll find we’ve got everything covered.

Perfect Positions
What transforms a novice sports photographer into a professional sports photographer is how they capture images using different angles. You’ve got to think about where you need to be to capture the best possible images. Being on the same level as the players will dramatically improve your photos, as this will allow you to get close enough to capture their emotions as well as impressive action shots.

Protect Your Equipment
Whether you’re using the latest smartphone or you’ve invested in an expensive camera, at sporting events it’s essential to protect your equipment. So, if you’re outside make sure you have some sort of waterproof cover for your phone or camera, even if it’s just an umbrella. Make sure you also wear your camera strap around your neck at all times, because the last thing you want to do is drop your equipment and break it.

Don’t Miss The Rest Of The Action
At a sporting event not all the action happens on the field. In fact a lot of it happens on the sidelines or in the crowds. Whether it’s the coach shouting from the side of the pitch or the reaction from fans when their team has scored a goal, these are both great shots that you don’t want to miss. These types of photos are a brilliant way of capturing emotion and passion in your canvas prints.

Backstage Access
Before attending a sporting event you need to consider how close you’ll be to the action. If you’re well known in the photography industry, then you might be able to get access to areas that other photographers can't. Being near the sidelines isn’t everything, but it certainly helps to get those magic moments. We advise always getting in touch with the PR or marketing department to ensure you’re able to get close enough.

Your Checklist
As a sports photographer your job begins before the game even starts. So, to make things easier for you and to make sure you don’t have any surprises, we’ve put together a little checklist for you. Firstly, make sure your camera is working properly, your batteries are fully charged and you have a empty memory card. Other things you can put in your bag, include waterproof gear, a notebook, pens, your business cards and extra batteries and memory cards.

Do you have any other tips? Don’t forget to share your sports photos with us on Facebook and Twitter