What is light motion?

Light motion is a form of light painting that combines strobes and small LED lights. The strobe is used to freeze the action, and a small hand-held continuous light is used to create streaks of light.  If you break this technique down, you can think about it as creating two separate exposures with one click of the shutter button.

The first “exposure” is set by setting the strobe power, the ISO, and the aperture. This will make the strobe freeze the action with good exposure.

The second “exposure” is set by dragging the shutter, i.e. setting the shutter speed to a longer duration than the scene requires. This will provide enough time to capture the light streaks.

I know it sounds like a lot, but this is actually very simple, here are the three steps to create this type of portrait.

This is simpler than it sounds. Here is a three-step recipe to mix and match strobes and LED lights.

See the Full Video Tutorial

Watch the full video tutorial on “Light Painting, Long Exposure and LED Lights To Capture Movement in Photography” below.

1. Set up a light motion “studio”

If you own a full-fledged studio, this is awesome. But if not, please don’t let this intimidate you. Any room that you can completely darken will do.  This can even be your living room or a basement. In that dark space, place your gear: a tripod and camera and your strobes. Of course, the room does not have to be dark as you set up; we will get to this later.

2. Set your strobe’s exposure and your shutter’s speed

This may sound complicated, but in reality, all it means is that you need to place your strobes to compose a shot and (if you can) set your camera to rear-curtain sync. That strobe will freeze the action and give you a sharp, clear image of your model.

Now, set the shutter to anything between one and ten seconds. You will have this long to play with the lights until the strobes fire, and your subject is frozen. There is no formula for how long you need to have an open shutter. Play and experiment with the shutter speed until you find what is right for you.

In terms of aperture, there are no set rules for light painting. Remember, you can control the light brightness in two ways: by changing the aperture or by changing the brightness of the KYU-6 lights. Depending on your tests, feel free to change either.

3. Shoot Away

Once you are ready, turn the room lights off, click the shutter, and have your subject more for a few seconds until the strobes go and freeze the action. Direct your subject to move as if they are performing an action, swing a bat, “fake shoot” a ball, or anything that creates motion. Start the exposure right before the action starts and end it with the pop of the strobe.

It can be quite satisfying to check the LCD or monitor with your model. From my experience, they are always excited to see the photos.

Now you understand why you need the tripod and a very dark room. That second “long exposure” will be contaminated with light unless the room is dark, and the photo will be blurry unless you use a tripod.

Enjoy

Yea, this is not a step; just the time for you to lean back and enjoy your work. In the meantime, here are some of the portraits from Bee.

Light Painting portraits

Here is a selection of Light Painting from Bee. Now it’s your turn!

Read the Full Press Release Below

We’re back and ready for even more action with a new edition of Red Bull Illume Image Quest – the adventure and action sports imagery contest that shines a light on the hard work and creativity of the content creators capturing the passion, lifestyle, and culture within the scene. The contest returns in 2021 for its sixth edition with submissions open from March 01 to July 31, 2021, and is free to enter on redbullillume.com for everyone that has a passion for sharing moments that inspire the world. No matter if taken by a professional or amateur – we want to see all the stunning adventure and action sports images out there.

A new year full of exciting plans for the 2021 edition of Red Bull Illume Image Quest. Make sure to take note of all the important dates and put them in your calendar!

[Related Reading: Ben Thouard’s Underwater Surfing Photo Wins Top Prize at the Red Bull Illume Image Quest 2019]

There will once again be 10 categories to enter, which will be announced very soon! There’s a category for everyone and you can submit on redbullillume.com when the submission phase opens. Keep an eye out for the announcement as there are sure to be some new ones that will spark your imagination.

So Many Epic Reasons To Enter

The international judging panel will select the finalists, category winners, and overall winner. Not only will you receive amazing photographic prizes, but also take home the grand title of being an official Red Bull Illume Winner and be showcased during the Winner Award Ceremony. On top of that, your work will be admired by people all over the world, earning you the kind of exposure that can shift your photography to the next gear.

It’s time to get your entries ready because now is your chance to take your place as one of the world’s best adventure and action sports content creators! To find out more visit redbullillume.com or follow Red Bull Illume on social media and stay updated.

[Related Reading: Red Bull Images Prove You Can Fly A Helicopter Upside Down]

About Red Bull Illume:

Red Bull Illume is the world’s greatest adventure and action sports imagery contest. It showcases the most creative and captivating images on the planet while illuminating the passion, lifestyle, and culture behind the photographers that shoot them.

The Image Quest 2021 is the sixth edition bringing together the amazing work of photographers and content creators from around the world. Submissions for the contest will take place from March 01 to July 31, 2021 and can be entered on redbullillume.com

A judging panel of 50 photo editors and digital experts will select the Finalists, Category Winners, and 1 Overall Winner, to be unveiled at the Winner Award Ceremony in November 2021.
In 2022, all finalist images will be presented around the globe providing an unprecedented level of exposure.

In 2019, a record-breaking 59,551 images were submitted by thousands of photographers from countries all around the world, with Ben Thouard taking the name as 2019’s Overall Winner.

Check out this gallery of previous winning images and be sure to enter your epic shots for a chance to win!

UNICORN WE ARE LEGENDS / Photo by Baptiste Fauchille

Marco Fuerst performs at the Red Bull Megaswing 2016 in Fromberg, Austria on July 7, 2016.

*content shared with permission

Get Your Equipment in Order

The first step in our how to become a sports photographer guide is to get the right camera gear.  You’ll want to look for a DSLR or Mirrorless for sports photography as there are plenty of affordable options on the market and you can swap out lenses quickly.

Depending on the sport you plan on shooting, you’ll need a few different lenses in your kit. A “fast” lens (f2.8 or faster), is always good to have on hand, as these let in more light than standard lenses and are great in low-light situations. If you’re shooting sports from a distance, then you’ll also need a quality 200m or 300m telephoto lens. And then a nice Wide-angle (24-70mm) or Fish-eye to get those epic up-close action shots or super-wide “WOW” moments

These lenses are significantly heavier than most standard lenses, so you’ll need to buy a monopod or tripod to make sure your shots are stable.

You’ll also need to have multiple memory cards to hand, so make sure you have at least two 32GB memory cards in your kit. Depending on the sport you want to shoot, you may need more, and if you’re using a larger sensor sized camera, you’ll need more or larger cards again still! It’s always better to have spares and not need them to end up running out of space on a shoot!

[Related Reading: Best Camera For Sports Photography | DSLR & Mirrorless]

Knowing the Game

If you want to become a sports photographer, you may already have an idea of the sport/s you want to shoot. Regardless of if you’re a fan or a sportsperson yourself, you need to brush up on the rules and understand the timings of matches, rounds, and games. It can be helpful to rewatch sports online to get an idea of tactics and formations, too.

Before you start looking for jobs, you should go to different games of your chosen sport/s and do some test shots so you get a feel for the action and find what works for you. Don’t be afraid to try different angles to what you’ve seen online and play around until you find your style. However, you should avoid reviewing your shots while you’re on location as it could lead to you missing a key part of the game.

Knowing Your Camera

Having a strong technical knowledge of your camera’s settings is key to capturing clear sports shots. Knowing the apertures of your lenses and understanding how that affects your shots is vital, as is understanding how each of your camera’s settings changes the outcome of a shot.

Increasing your shutter speed to 1/500 or even 1/1000 can significantly help in getting crisp shots of subjects in motion, but as with all aspects of photography, it’s worth testing your settings to find the best results.

If you’re photographing indoor sports, then you should adjust the white balance on your camera to make sure that your shots don’t become yellow-tinted from the fluorescent lighting. Again, you’ll want to experiment with your settings to see what balance works best for you.

You should also get used to using burst mode on your camera. As you already know, sports games are fast-paced affairs, and burst mode can help you to capture a perfect shot during a short window of time. If you’re using burst mode, make sure that you have at least one back-up memory card to hand, as this can fill up your storage quickly.

Something else to keep in mind is the low-light capabilities of your camera, some situations will require you to push that iso well past 3200, so be sure to get a system that has a great low light sensor that can keep up with the shifting requirements of the events you’re at.

[Related Reading: 3 Custom Camera Settings for Wildlife & Sports Photography]

Getting Jobs as a Sports Photographer

Once you’ve done a few test shoots and you’ve learned more about how to get great quality sports shots, then it’s a good time to start hunting for some paid work opportunities.

Unfortunately, as a new photographer, this might mean taking on unpaid or volunteer work to get your name out there. Offering your skills to a local youth club, shooting a charity game, or even volunteering as an assistant for another sports photographer can be a great way to improve on your skills and network with other photographers.

The key here is practice! Even without an “official” assignment, it’s great advice to cover every game / sport as much as you can, so even taking shots at a local park’s pickup game is a great place to start building your portfolio out and learning how & when the magic moments are going to happen.

[Related Reading: The Top 10 Pieces OF Gear Requested By Olympic Sports Photographers In Rio]

You could also take a course at your local school, college, or community center, which will help you meet like-minded people and learn more about photography. It’s also worth taking a course in photography post-production software like Photoshop and Lightroom, as this will help clean up your best shots for publication.

On the subject of publication, it’s also a good idea to start a blog, Instagram account, or online gallery to display your work. Not only can this act as your online portfolio, but it’s a great way to start networking with other photographers and learn more about the industry. It’s important to have a healthy mix of an updated website/portfolio along with an active social media feed like Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok.

Lastly, and probably the most important, is always be polite and professional! While having all the gear and skills needed to capture a great shot is important, it’s also important to be reputable! Maintaining a punctual, professional, and “nice” reputation will get you a lot further with your career than you’d think! Putting all these things together will help get you started on the path of photographing sporting events and capturing some epic images! As usual, if you have any tips be sure to add them in the comments below, and if you’re shot sporting events, be sure to share some of your images as well!

2020 has been an interesting and trying year for nearly every person and business out there, with everyone finding new ways to pivot and adapt to the markets, Canon seems to have gotten a little extra creative with it’s latest product called the “PowerShot Zoom”. This odd-looking device is a pocket-sized “monocular” type camera that can capture 12.1-megapixel images and 1080p HD video on a 1/3 inch CMOS sensor and DIGIC 8 Processor.

From what the reports have said, this lightweight system has an impressive 100-400mm equivalent (35mm terms) optical lens that can extend its range up to 800mm thanks to the cameras digital zoom. You can review the images by pairing with a smartphone through a new dedicated app, and controlling the device is incredibly easy with a minimalistic set of controls including just Power, Zoom, and Menu buttons on the front of the camera, and shutter release buttons for Photo & Video near the back.

Currently, it seems this system is available exclusively in Japan and was made available through a crowdfunding campaign on Makuake which sold out in less than 24 hours! We’ll have to wait to see how this camera performs and when it’ll be available to North American markets, but given how quickly this system sold out overseas at the price point of about $300, I’d imagine it won’t take long before we start seeing them show up in the usual sources like B&H or Adorama

People say compact point-and-shoot cameras are dead because of cell phones, but this is what compact cameras should live on for – Unique things like ultra-telephoto focal lengths!

Would something like this be useful and fun for you on your adventures? Do you think we’ll see features like the new Animal Eye AF in a system this simple and compact?  Check out the rest of the images and video above & be sure to let us know what you think in the comments below.

Check Pricing & Availability of Canon Cameras Here;

Adorama | B&H | Amazon

Tune in to our next episode: September 16th at 11AM PST!

 

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A post shared by Profoto (@profotoglobal) on Sep 2, 2020 at 10:59am PDT

In this video, we’ll show you how to create dramatic and powerful athletic portraits using the Profoto B10 Plus. This image was created in Venice Beach featuring our model Derek Pratt.

Gear Used in Tutorial

• Profoto B10 Plus
• OCF II Light Shaping Tools
• OCF II Gels
• OCF II Grid & Gel Holder
• Air Remote

Before you even pick up your camera or touching your flashes, run through our C.A.M.P. framework and simplify your lighting process.

• Composition: What do we want our scene to look like? Where do we want the camera to be? What’s the angle? What do we want our subjects to be doing?
• Ambient Light Exposure: Choose the intention of the scene. Do we want a dramatic image (darkening the ambient light and using more flash) or do we want a softer image (brightening the ambient light and using a more natural power of flash)?
• Modify/Add Light: Are your subjects visible in the frame or do they need to be chiseled out? Do you need to add an additional light source?
• Pose & Photograph: Take your shot!

Here’s how this shot broke down into 4 simple steps:

1. Find the Most Interesting Angle & Composition

You’ll the image on the left represents what the shot would look like at eye-level (from my perspective). We’re shooting down on the subject and it gives him more of a diminishing presence in the frame, it even makes his body and muscles look smaller because the lens is so far away from him. By lowering our angle we arrive at a composition like what you see on the right. This allows us to use the sand as foreground while leading the viewer into Derek. His body and muscles are not a more dominant part of the frame and since we are closer to his eye level, they appear more true to size.

2. Dial in Your Ambient Light Exposure

For a more dramatic look we wanted to underexpose our image and add flash to really make the subject pop against the sun. We’ve placed our subject directly in front of the sun so that when he jumps into action he covers it and ends up completely backlit. These are our exposure settings for the image: 1/2000th of a second, f/7.1, ISO 200. You can see it’s a huge difference than just exposing for skintone (image on the left) which would have likely required

3. Modify Or Add Flash

Now that we’ve got our shot setup, let’s figure out how much light power we will need in order to make the subject stand out. Because out shutter speed is at 1/2000th of a second, we are using the Profoto B10 Plus on high-speed sync. In addition, we’re going to add an OCF Grid to the light to pinpoint all of the light onto our subject and minimize the spill on the sand around him. Firing at 1/1 we’re able to get the exact amount of light power we need.

4. Pose & Photograph!

Our last step is to simply have Derek do the superman pushup and capture the moment. We decided to make it a touch more dramatic by having him throw some sand while he flies. I loved how powerful the image came out and it’s a testament to so many different attributes we chose to include: a lower camera position to emphasize more presence of the subject in the frame, a darker ambient light exposure, strong light direction and power, and a dynamic pose that takes up a large area in the frame.

Hopefully, you picked up on all these choices made while watching the video and start to think more critically when you shoot. We finished the image off with a Lightroom edit using the HDR Preset from the Visual Flow Presets Crush Pack to really bring out the bold color and energy in the image. For more Profoto lighting tutorials, be sure to check out our Slice of Pye Series on their IGTV!

The Brave 7 LE is a dual-display “GoPro Alternative” action camera that can record 4K video and takes 20 MP photos at an affordable price of only $139 USD, making it one of the more ideal choices for an entry-level action camera. With its front-facing screen, the company is taking aim at the social media influencer world by giving something extra to the Vloggers out there. It doesn’t really do anything but give you a small screen to make sure you’re in the frame, but it’s a nice touch and definitely a useful feature for anyone doing some serious and constant video work.

Features & Technical Specifications

• Video: 4K30, 2.7K60, 1080P120, 720P240
• Video Modes – Normal, Loop Record, Time-Lapse, Fast-Motion, Slow-Motion
• Photo: 20MP
• Photo Modes – Single, Burst, Time-Lapse, Self-Time, and Long Exposure
• Digital lenses: Super wide, wide, medium, narrow
• Burst: 3, 7, 15 and 30 shots
• Time-lapse: 3, 5, 10, 30, 60 second intervals
• Long exposure: 1, 2, 5, 8, 30 and 60 seconds
• Screens: 2-inch rear touchscreen and 1.5-inch front screen
• Waterproofing: 1m without a case, or 30m with included case
• GPS: No
• Voice control: Yes
• Stabilization: 6-axis EIS 2.0
• App support: Yes
• Remote Control
• Adjustable View Angle
• Distortion Calibration
• Driving Mode
• Micro HDMI
• Micro USB

The big difference between this model and the V50 Elite is the addition of a front screen. The backscreen is the usual 2″ touch-sensitive screen we’ve gotten used too with these devices, while the front screen is a much smaller one designed to help you frame yourself should you use the camera for vlogging & selfies. Another difference in this model from the V50 is its IPX7 Water Resistant rating giving this camera the ability to record in any weather condition without its protective case. Should you decide to go diving, you can go as deep as 121ft/40m with the included waterproof case.

The Brave 7 LE also has stabilization built into the camera, and while it’s not bad when just walking or splashing about in the water, as soon as you start any real heavy movement the stabilization gets quite choppy and, well, just not good.

[Related Reading: Akasotech V50 Elite Action Camera Review – A Low-Cost 4K Alternative]

Images & Video

Given the price point of this camera, you can’t really complain about its quality. I have used several action camera systems over the years, and none have been particularly amazing, butter quality from this camera I’d argue is pretty comparable to the currently “industry leaders” like GoPro and Sony. Check out a few quick samples below.

Jpg Timelapse Test

4k Video Test

Image Samples

What’s Included / In The Box

The Akaso Brave 7 LE comes with a ton of accessories in the box, including a 2.4Ghz Wi-Fi Bracelet Remote Controller that has 2 buttons that start/stop the Video and Photo recording. In the box is also a waterproof housing, 2 batteries and a charger, and a wide variety of mounts, clips, pivot points, straps, and cleaning wipes. I was actually surprised by the number of mounts, clips, cables, and more that came pre-loaded with. this device. Making its purchase price all the more appealing considering most other brands, these add-ons would be sold separately.

• 1x AKASO Brave 7 LE Action Camera
• 1x Remote Control
• 2x 1350mAh Battery
• 1x Waterproof Case
• 1x Battery Charger
• 1x Bicycle Stand
• 6x Mount
• 2x 2-sided tape
• 2x Helmet Mount
• 1x Bandages
• 5x Tethers
• 1 x Protective Backdoor
• 1x USB Cable
• 1x Lens Cloth
• 1x Quick Reference Guide

Note: The accessories kit is compatible with most other action cameras including GoPro.

What I Liked

• The Price Point is great
• A Ton of accessories included in the box. Much more than expected.
• Looks and feels like a “pro” action camera
• Menu is relatively easy to navigate
• Easy to use out of the box
• Includes 2 batteries and a double charger
• Front Screen is handy for selfies
• 4k Video was actually impressive (like it’s predecessor)
• Underwater Images and Video were incredibly sharp and vivid

What Needs Improvement

• The Smartphone app is still rather clunky and poorly designed (in terms of the UI)
• The waterproof case for going underwater is very easy to scratch and scuff up (compared to the GoPro versions)
• The touch screen is sometimes over-responsive making you scroll past what you’re actually trying to get to / use in the system.
• Images and video taken above water felt a bit flat and overexposed

Conclusion

If you’re looking for an action camera that can shoot wirelessly controlled, has multiple 4k video options, and is so affordable you won’t be upset if it happens to get destroyed “getting the shot” then this may be the perfect action camera for you. Just like it’s little brother, this camera is actually quite good for its price point. If you want something with a little better OS/UI design and are willing to spend the extra money than hop into the GoPro realm. An added bonus of the newest GoPros is they are waterproof with mounting options right on the camera itself without the need of any cases. But, if you can survive without those features, the Akaso Brave 7 LE is actually, and surprisingly a viable choice.

Frankly, we never want to just throw money away, but this guy is actually so affordable that if it happens to get damaged or lost, it’s not the end of the world. In fact, it’s so cost-effective, like the V50 Elite, you can get multiple Brave 7 LE’s for the price of one newest GoPro, giving you the ability to capture multiple angles and point of views, or even one for each family member out on your adventure/holiday!

While the V50 Elite was decent, it was still underwhelming. However, the Brave 7 LE is definitely a camera I’ll be keeping around in my kit for use on all of my random adventures. Given how rapidly the Akaso team seems to be updating and improving their devices, I’d imagine they’ll have tackled most of the negative review points mentioned in the post here by the next model they release. The only thing I wish they would spend more time on is the mobile app. While it does work, and work pretty decently, it’s pretty clunky and can be difficult to navigate given the UI doesn’t fit properly depending on what model of device you’re using. IE for me, on an iPhone 10 (smaller one) some of. the buttons were not accessible due to placement where the bevel is on the screen. That’s really my only complaint on this system, and given how cheap the whole thing is, it’s pretty minor.

At any rate, be sure to tell us what you think. Have you used any of the Akaso products before? Do you think you’ll pick one up for your next project? Let us know in the comments below.

Check Pricing & Availability Here – $139.99

With this in mind, there are many cameras on the market today that could be considered the best for sports & action. Which camera is the best for you? That depends on your interests, and of course your budget. Whether you photograph foot races and sports, or automotive races, or wildlife, there are numerous cameras that could suit your needs very well.

But first, let’s talk about the three key things required for a camera to be considered truly “flagship” in terms of action sports…

The Best Autofocus System For Sports Photography

Although autofocus technology itself has only been considered truly reliable for a few decades, the types of images that sports photographers create these days are absolutely reliant on advanced autofocus systems that can lock focus quickly, and track moving subjects with uncanny precision and reliability.

More importantly, by the way, is the photographer themselves and understanding how their camera’s autofocus system works. Understanding AF point control, continuous autofocus tracking, and dynamic subject tracking, (where the autofocus point leaves its originally designated position and tracks your subject around the viewfinder) …are all extremely important.

The Fastest Camera For Action Photography (Shooting Speed)

A camera’s shooting speed is known as its framerate, or FPS, frames-per-second. The earliest DSLRs made for action sports hit unheard-of speeds such as 8 FPS, which was relatively cutting-edge at the time.

Today, FPS are up to 8-10 on many cameras, however, so if you don’t need an incredible autofocus system for your type of action photography, then technically almost any camera these days can be used for certain action sports.

Having said that, the best sports cameras these days offer 10-14 FPS, or 20 or even 30 FPS using fully electronic shutters where available, in addition to their advanced autofocus systems. It is these two key features, autofocus tracking and sheer speed, that make a camera truly capable for any type of sports or action photography.

Lastly, a camera’s shooting speed is only as good as its buffer size. What is a buffer? It is the number of photos that the camera can hold without writing them to the memory card. A very small buffer, for example, would only allow the camera to shoot at its maximum speed for one or two seconds, whereas a large buffer would allow a photographer to shoot at high FPS for many seconds, or almost indefinitely.

The Best Camera Specs For Sports Photography

Besides blazing speed and autofocus reliability, the best camera for action sports will also offer one thing that most casual or beginner photographers will actually dislike or even dread: extensive customizability and control.

Simply put, when capturing the moment comes down to split-second timing, a photographer needs to have instant access to a lot of different functions, such as switching autofocus modes, autofocus point selection/control, and deeper menu options for subject tracking speed, acceleration/deceleration, etc.

With this in mind, now you know this one final reason why you don’t see professional sports photographers using a beginner camera, even if that camera has plenty of “FPS”. Flagship action sports cameras have two or even three main command dials, numerous customizable buttons, and direct buttons/joysticks for autofocus point control.

Of course, this goes hand-in-hand with the experience level of the photographer themselves. Always remember, if you don’t know your camera inside and out, then you’ll likely miss moments no matter how fast or accurate that camera may be on paper.

The Best DSLR For Sports Photography

If you look at the sidelines of any major sport event, the photographers’ booths will be packed with DSLR cameras. Why? Because, despite most types of casual photography being definitely better off with a mirrorless camera that uses an electronic viewfinder, DSLRs have the advantage of tried-and-true autofocus systems, using optical phase-detect technology that has been fine-tuned for decades. This, combined with the instantaneous nature of seeing your subject through an optical viewfinder, provides a distinct advantage for anyone who is photographing extremely fast-paced action.

Currently, only two camera companies make “flagship” DSLRs that have cutting-edge optical phase-detect autofocus systems powerful enough to lock focus on, and track, subjects that are moving extremely fast. Canon’s 1DX sereis has been around for many years now, with the latest Canon 1DX III being recently released and the company’s flagship of 2020. However, the Canon 1DX II and 1DX are still certainly venerable performers if you are able to locate one for a good price.

Nikon’s D6 is their latest flagship action sports camera, also officially released in 2020. Like the Canon, its predecessors are also still incredible performers, and the Nikon D5, D4, and even D3 are capable workhorses that any action sports photographer would be glad to own.

Which camera is better for action sports, Nikon or Canon?

Honestly, any photographer who asks this question is largely missing the point. Both camera sytems are extremely capable, and both of them will periodically leap-frog each other in small ways. Sometimes Canon or Nikon flagship sports cameras will have slightly better image quality, and sometimes one or the other will have a slightly more “uncanny” autofocus system that excels at continuous AF tracking.

However, it is the photographer themself that makes the biggest difference in whether or not a fast-action moment is captured correctly or not. Sheer experience behind the camera, knowing how to anticipate action, how to track it through the viewfinder, and which focus point selection or tracking mode to use for various conditions, that is the biggest deciding factor.

That, and of course having the right lens for the shooting condition, which again Canon and Nikon both deliver plenty of high-performance options.

The Best Mirrorless Cameras for Sports Photography

Although many of the most veteran, experienced sports photographers do still use DSLRs with their traditional, tried-and-true optical viewfinders and autofocus systems, there are quite a few mirrorless cameras that are truly impressive when it comes to not just blazing-fast shooting speed, but also in autofocus tracking reliability.

The current top dog in this arena is definitely the Sony A9 ii, and its predecessor the A9. Sony’s flagship hybrid AF system, with its Real-Time tracking, is uncanny when it comes to tracking moving subjects all around the viewfinder.

Of course, the overall speed/responsiveness of electronic viewfinders is still improving, and the benefits (immediacy, AKA zero lag) of an optical viewfinder will likely be argued for years to come. With that said, many different types of action, from traditional sports to wildlife, can already be captured amazingly well with a mirrorless camera that is made for sports.

The top honors for mirrorless action sports cameras currently go to the following cameras, due to their advanced autofocus systems with extensive tracking functionality, as well as their sheer speed:

Sony A9ii (~$4500)
Sony A9 (~$3500)
Fuji X-T4 (~$1700)
Olympus E-M1X (~$2600)
Olympus E-M1 mark III (~$1800)

(Of course, we can expect many more cameras from many brands to be added to this list within the next year or two!)

Mirrorless Cameras & Fast Action – Be Careful With Electronic Shutter!

There is one thing you must keep an eye out for if you decide to use a mirrorless camera and its “fully electronic shutter” mode in order to achieve the highest-possible FPS.

This is an example of an electronic shutter (Sony A7R 3) that isn’t reading its data fast enough, and a severe artifact has been created. Keep in mind, of course, that a Hummingbird’s wings flap back and forth at an incredible 1260 RPM, and even at such a high speed you will still not notice this effect as much with an even faster electronic shutter such as on the Sony A9 and A9 ii.

The Best Canon Camera For Sports Photography

There are many different brands of cameras, however, most of them only offer one “system” or lens mount. Canon, on the other hand, of course, offers both DSLR and mirrorless cameras. But, which system is best for action sports?

As we mentioned, the Canon 1DX III (~$6500), and Canon 1DX II ($5000), indeed, are the cutting-edge Canon DSLR options for sports photography. Canon’s current mirrorless cameras, the EOS R and EOS RP, do have decent autofocus systems and shooting speeds, but clearly they are not meant to match the sheer power of the 1D-series. So, a casual photographer could easily capture great sports or wildlife images with a Canon mirrorless camera, they don’t yet make the list of top-shelf action sports cameras.

The Best Nikon Camera For Sports Photography

Nikon is the other main brand that has both DSLR and mirrorless cameras. Indeed, both their F-mount DSLRs and their Z-mount mirrorless cameras have impressive overall shooting speed and good autofocus, so you could certainly use any of them for action sports photography.

Again, the DSLR flagships are still superior in a few ways. A full-frame (FX) Nikon D6 or Nikon D5, or the APS-C (DX) Nikon D500, are very capable cameras with all of the sheer speed, as well as the extra bells and whistles and overall reliability, that a professional sports photographer would need.

So, while a hobbyist or serious amateur could certainly enjoy shooting sports on a Nikon Z6 or Nikon Z50, again we have yet to see the manifestation of a true flagship action sports Nikon mirrorless camera.

Best Camera For Action, Sports, & Wildlife | Conclusion

As we mentioned earlier, this list is currently up to date in early 2020, however in the next 1-2 years more (mirrorless) cameras will likely be added to the list. If you hear of a Canon “1D-series mirrorless” camera or a Nikon “mirrorless version of the D6”, then you’ll likely find them to be on par with both their own DSLR siblings, as well as the current mirrorless competition from Sony and others.

In short, this is a very exciting time to be getting into sports photography, whether it’s general action, extreme sports, or wildlife!

Early Beginnings as a VFL Sports Photographer

Before he found his career with the Australian Football League, he spent years photographing VFL (Victorian Football League) games as a hobby.

“A lot of people probably wouldn’t know, but I actually used to be a graphic designer,” Wilson says. “Just sort of started shooting VFL games, built a portfolio, got to know other photographers, and yeah, eventually doors started to open.”

It just goes to show that if you work towards your passion, then amazing things can and will happen. What’s that old saying? You do what you love and you’ll never work a day in your life? Well, Michael might disagree a bit.

“The biggest misconception about being an AFL photographer is you just work Friday, Saturday, Sunday,” Wilson says. “You sit on the boundary, you get the best seats in the house, and it’s the easiest job in the world. People don’t realize the physical strain there is. You’re lugging heavy equipment around all the time. And there’s pressure there. There’s pressure to file as you’re going, you know, to clubs, and the AFL News Desk. They’re relying on your pictures from the night to feed their social channels.”

Being a sports photographer for an AFL match is something that requires incredibly intense concentration for at least two hours. If you let your attention drift away for just a second, you run the risk of losing the perfect shot.

Bag Basics

During the game, Michael says, “Bag basics for a sports photographer are telephoto, (70-200mm), and a wide angle, so right from the start, you’ll probably want to have those essential items.” When the game is finally over, it’s “Time to get out there. Get pictures of the celebration. Put on that wide angle and a flash and we’re good to go.”

Michael will shoot everything from the mascots to the coin toss, the coaches to the huddles. He says, “The bigger the game, the better the photos get. The better the moments, the more excited the players get as well, I think.”

One essential item he always carries on him is a radio. If he’s getting shots of the audience, it helps to have someone in his ear alerting him to injuries, big moments, and great plays.

On the field and in between shots, he’ll even break out his laptop, open up Adobe Photoshop, crop, edit, and send straight to the AFL home page while still sitting on the sidelines.

AFL Sports Photography | Michael Wilson

All in all, Michael Wilson has had a pretty amazing career in sports photography so far, and he’s showing no signs of stopping.

“People ask me, you know, what other photographers inspire me. I actually don’t want to sort of look at other people’s work too much. I don’t want a preconceived notion on how to shoot something. So that’s kind of a bit of a philosophy I have, I don’t want to be sort of boxed in by any ideas on how something should be shot.”

To check out more of Michael’s incredible work, take a look at his website or follow him on Instagram.

“With most things in life, you kind of speak to people with experience and you just learn from them. Hopefully, I can pass a few of those tips on to other photographers now.”

~ Michael Wilson

*Shared with Permission from the AFL