As a team photographer for the Cleveland Cavaliers since 1991, David Liam Kyle is one sharp
shooter. His sports images have graced the covers of Sports Illustrated and many other
publications. As a former athlete himself, David is used to being close to the action. His
images show the perspective of a talented photographer as well as a true sports fan. David is also a part of our very own Pro Team. In this blog post David spills his tips and advice for taking your best sports photography shot.
Your Best Shot - by David Liam Kyle
Getting Down to the Basics: Baseball and Track
Spring training isn’t just for athletes. Photographers need to be ready when it is time to shoot baseball games and track meets. Some of the best opportunities for great images may present themselves in the first week of the season, so be prepared. Here are a few basic tips that will help you get better sports photos of your youth league or high school athlete.
Be Prepared: Hey, it’s not just a slogan for Boy Scouts. If you are photographing youth league or high school sports, make sure you have permission from event organizers and know your restrictions in terms of photo positions. That way you will avoid any game time confrontations. You want to document the event, not be part of the event.
The Importance of Positioning: Be smart and considerate in choosing where you shoot. When walking into a sporting event, the first thing I do is check the lighting conditions. Generally, I want to work with the sun, not against it. I prefer nice side or frontal light, and I make sure I have clean, dark backgrounds. Try to avoid signs, trees, parking lots, garbage cans, etc. Darker backgrounds make the athletes’ images pop. It is important that you try to find shooting positions where you will not get blocked by officials and umpires. At the same time, be polite and make sure you do not block the view of spectators.

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