Swimming is great exercise, and it is a great way to keep fit and healthy. But if you want to get that perfect swimmer’s body, you need to know how to take professional photos.
Table of Contents
Best Swimming Photography Tips for Photographers
General Idea
The first step is to get to know your subject well. If you can’t tell if someone is a good model or not, you won’t be able to capture their personality or energy in your pictures.
That’s why the first thing I recommend you do is watch some YouTube videos of the person. Find a video of someone you think looks like they are having fun, then see if you can identify what makes them look like that.
From there, you can go back and watch the video again. That way, you can get a better sense of what the person’s body language is saying.
The next step is to do a little research about them. This will help you find out more about the person and their background.
In some cases, you may find some really cool facts about the person that you didn’t know.
If you want to become a professional swimmer photographer, it’s important to understand the basics of how the body works. And this will help you to avoid a lot of embarrassing blunders on the beach.
Utilize Your Camera’s Burst Rate
If you have ever tried photographing swimmers, then you know how difficult it can be to capture the perfect moment. Swimmers move quickly, and they are often surrounded by other swimmers, coaches and equipment. Many times, all of those elements will make it difficult to get shots that are clear and crisp. One way around this problem is to use a camera with a high burst rate. This will allow you to take multiple shots in rapid succession, giving you more chances at capturing the perfect shot.
The faster your camera’s burst rate, the more shots you’ll be able to take before the lens gets too fogged up.
Try to Use a Telephoto Lens for Close-Up Shoots
The best way to capture swimming photography is by getting close-up shots of your favorite swimmer in action. When shooting close-ups, it is important that you use a telephoto lens so that you can zoom in on the action without losing detail or focus. A telephoto lens will also allow you to get shots from farther away from your subject without having them notice that they are being photographed.
Use Servo Focus Feature
The most reliable way to get sharp pictures is to use your camera’s servo focus feature (also called continuous focus). This allows your camera to keep focusing on the subject as it moves around, giving you more opportunities for sharp images. If you don’t have this feature on your camera, then set it to single AF and focus on an area that will not move while shooting.
Learn More About the Swimming Event
Before attending a swimming event like a meet or race, do some research on it by reading articles and watching videos online, so you know what types of shots may be available and how they may happen during the competition. For example, if there are multiple heats or semi-finals or finals in one event that day, then this will give you an idea of when certain events will take place so that you can plan ahead accordingly with your shooting schedule.
It helps to know what kind of event you’ll be covering before you arrive at the venue — how many lanes are there? How big is each lane? Are they numbered? Is there any sort of spectator area where spectators can stand?
Consider Using Different Perspectives
One of the best ways to get great shots while shooting in natural light is by moving around from one angle to another until you find one that works best for your picture-taking needs. Because there are so many different angles from which to choose, it’s important that you put some thought into how each angle will look when combined with all the other elements involved in creating a great image.
Consider the Location
The location is important for any type of photography but particularly so with swimming. You’ll want to find an area where you have plenty of room to move around, so that you don’t interfere with other swimmers or their coaches. The pool should also be free from obstructions like ladders or other equipment, which could ruin your shot.
It’s important to take into account other elements that can impact your shots. For example, if there are trees near the pool or a large building nearby, these elements can create unwanted shadows. If this is the case, try to find another location where these elements aren’t an issue. If moving isn’t an option at this point, then you may want to consider using reflectors or other lighting equipment to help fill in those shadows.
Where to place the camera
There are two main options: either above the water or below.
Above the Water
If you’re shooting from above, your goal is to get a wide shot of all the swimmers in the pool. This is usually done with a long lens, so it’s important that you keep your distance from the swimmer’s lane. If you get too close, they’ll be able to see you and they may become distracted by your presence.
Below the Water
If you’re shooting from below, then your goal is to capture a close-up shot of just one swimmer. It’s important that this is done without disturbing them or distracting them from their race! In order for this technique to work well, you’ll need to be able to move quickly and quietly through the water without making waves or splashing around.
Camera Settings for Swimming Photography
If you want to take photos in the pool, there are a few things you need to be aware of. The biggest is that water absorbs light, so you will need to compensate for this by using a higher ISO setting and/or a wider aperture. You can also increase your shutter speed if you’re having trouble with blur, but don’t go too high or your image may become grainy from under-exposure.
Shutter Speed: Set shutter speed between 1/500s-1/2000s
Aperture: set aperture between f/1.8-f/5.6
ISO: 1600
Know About Swimming
Before you start snapping pictures, it’s important to understand how swimmers move underwater. This will help you capture the best angles and lighting when shooting them. It’s also important to know about swimming. You need to understand how to shoot from underwater and what equipment is best for capturing underwater photos.
The more you know about swimming, the easier it will be for you to take great photos. You’ll also have an understanding of what different swimmers are trying to achieve when they’re in the water, which will help with your composition choices.
Experiment with Angles and Lighting
When taking photos of swimmers underwater, try different angles and lighting techniques to see which ones work best for you. You might discover some unique perspectives that add to your collection of images!
Experimentation is key here — try different angles and don’t be afraid to move around while shooting (as long as it doesn’t disturb other people).
Capture Moments
It is important that you capture moments as they happen because this will help to create some amazing photographs. Capturing moments can be challenging, but when done right, it will produce amazing results!
Make sure your light is balanced.
Most swimmers are built from the waist down and the best shots show that. When you are shooting from the waist down, aim the camera straight down at the subject, with the light at the subject’s eye level. If there are bright lights above, or behind the subject, move them to the side or lower them as much as possible.
Move to avoid awkward shadows.
When you are taking pictures of the subject from the waist up, avoid having shadows under their chin. Put the subject between you and the background, so that there is no dark shadow under their chin. It’s also a good idea to put a small reflector or a white card board board on top of the subject to catch the light.
Choose a wide angle lens.
A wide angle lens gives a wider shot than a normal lens, but it may make your picture look very shaky. Choose a longer focal length lens if you want to get a more steady picture.
Shoot in burst mode.
To keep the picture looking professional, take more than one shot. To do this, hold the camera vertically, set it to take multiple shots and take at least 10 shots per second. This will give you 20 or more images.
Practice taking pictures of the same person over and over.
It is difficult to take a picture of someone without them moving or doing something. Take the same picture several times until you have it right. If the subject is a child, ask them to do the same. You can practice taking photos of family members too.
Get close to your subject.
For a sharp picture, you need to be close. Make sure you don’t have to move your subject too much when taking a photo. A good compromise is having the subject stand with one foot in front of the other and one knee slightly bent.
Take more than one shot.
If you are going to take several pictures of the same person or scene, take them in rapid succession. This will ensure that they look very similar.
Focus on the subject.
While it is possible to focus manually on the subject, it is better to use autofocus. This will make sure the focus remains locked on the subject.
Use a tripod.
A tripod makes sure your subject stays steady. You can also move your subject out of the way of any distracting objects in the background.
Ask a professional for advice.
You can get professional photos taken by an instructor, sports coach or swim teacher. They can provide professional advice and guidance.
Swim with the current
A very powerful current can be a great help to you if you are trying to photograph someone who is swimming against it. By using the current to your advantage, you can easily capture an action shot, where you swim next to your subject and you both appear to be moving in tandem. This method can also work well for portraits, where you swim alongside your subject and you both appear to be in a stable pose.
Photograph in a pool
Swimming is one of the best sports to take photographs of, as the water is still and the movement is smooth. In order to ensure that you get an excellent image, we recommend that you take photos of a swan dive, or any other action which will have you in the water.
Be at the front of the pool, where you are closer to the camera, but not so close that you look like a plank. Stand with your head turned to one side so that you don’t cover up the faces of your competitors. You should also try to avoid placing yourself in a strong light, where your face could be overexposed, as this can spoil the photo.
Other tips
But not everyone likes the idea of swimming in front of a camera. When taking photographs of swimmers it’s important to understand their movements. You need to know how to use your camera and make sure you position the right shot. If you don’t feel comfortable or have enough experience, it can be tricky to find someone who does.
It can be very helpful to hire a professional photographer to capture a swimmer’s performance. The best time to ask is when you are about to book a session. If you do hire a photographer, ask whether they will provide equipment. You may want to ask them to photograph one or two swimmers at a time. This way you can compare how the photos look, making sure the lighting and angles are the same for each swimmer. You also need to discuss the type of shots you want. You may want to ask the photographer to capture swimmer’s technique. You can also ask for photographs showing different angles of swimmer’s bodies, with some close-ups of their faces. These could be taken while the swimmer is holding their hands above their head.
You may have to be patient while you wait for your swimmer to complete their routine. It may help if you ask the photographer to take a few practice shots before you begin. Make sure your swimmer is aware that they need to hold still in front of the camera, so they don’t move in the shot.
Another way to make sure you get a good photograph is to take the shots yourself. When taking pictures of swimmers it’s best to use a tripod or steady your camera on a flat surface. If you do take photos yourself it can be useful to experiment with different angles. This can help you work out which positions are best for your swimmer. Also think about the lighting: sunlight can make it hard to see details of faces and bodies, so try using a flash, or using a diffuser to soften the light. Another way to avoid glare from the pool surface is to position your swimmer away from the edge of the pool.
When taking photographs of swimmers, you need to think about how to capture the right pose for each shot. You may need to ask your swimmer to hold their heads down and open their mouths. It’s important that the shot doesn’t include any unwanted reflections on the surface of the pool. Try asking your swimmer to look straight into the lens.
Photographs of swimmers need to be clear enough for viewers to see all the details of their swimming technique. If your swimmer is wearing a costume it can be helpful to remove this before taking the photos. You could use a polarizing filter to reduce reflections in the water, or use a white background to eliminate any unwanted reflections. Another way to remove unwanted reflections from the pool is to use a piece of black card. Before you take the photo, cover the part of the pool where you are photographing with the card.
You may want to make sure your swimmer looks good in the photos. Some swimmers will be more confident about how they look than others. If your swimmer is worried about their appearance you could take photos in stages. For example, if your swimmer has short hair, you could ask them to remove it and take a few photos with it in place. Once they are happy with the results, ask them to put it back in.
Use a tripod
A tripod is ideal for taking photos of swimmers, as it enables you to set the camera at the correct height and angle. Without a tripod, you may find that you have to hold your camera firmly in place to prevent movement or tilt during the shot.
A tripod can be a little tricky to use in a pool. Make sure you have a firm grip on the legs before you put them into the water, as they are likely to slip around and float away. It’s also important to make sure that you don’t sink the whole thing. If this happens, it will be difficult to get out of the water and adjust the tripod.
Ideal Positions for Swimming Photography
From the Side
When it comes to swimming photography, the most common position is from the side of the pool.
This is because it’s a good position for capturing swimmers as they glide through the water, and for catching the details of their swimsuits. But it’s also a great angle for capturing swimmer-on-swimmer action or other scenes from around the pool area.
You can also get some interesting shots by shooting from above looking down into the pool. This gives you an interesting perspective on things like splashing water and bubbles as well as swimmers’ faces as they emerge from underwater.
For this kind of shot, you’ll need to use a tripod or another device that will keep your camera steady while shooting in low light conditions (like most indoor pools).
If you’re shooting from the side of the pool, make sure your subject isn’t too close to any walls or other obstacles as this may ruin your shot. It’s also important that your subject isn’t too far away so that they don’t appear small in your photo. Make sure that you are close enough to capture details such as their arms, legs and face but not so close that it looks distorted.
Turning Lane
The turning lane offers a unique perspective on your swimmer’s stroke. It’s not easy getting into position and getting an unobstructed shot, but it’s worth it if you can get one that really shows off their form or style. Use a wide-angle lens to capture as much of the swimmer as possible, or try using a telephoto to focus on just their head or shoulders as they navigate through the water.
In most pools there is a turning lane where swimmers come out of one end, turn around and then head back into the water again at another end of the pool. This makes for an interesting angle when taking photos as it shows both sides of someone swimming and may also include other swimmers going past them.
In the Stands
The stands provide an excellent place to shoot from above, which can look awesome when you’re trying to capture an athlete.
Swimming Photography Ideas
Here are some ideas for how to get started with your own underwater photography:
Underwater portraits – Try taking portraits of swimmers in action. This can be as simple as photographing someone swimming laps or doing butterfly strokes, or as complex as shooting a high-speed race with strobes on both sides of the pool. This style of photography is the most popular and you can see so many photographers out there taking this kind of photos.
Underwater landscapes – The world of underwater is so vast and diverse. There are so many things for you to take photographs of. Try shooting some underwater landscapes by placing your camera in front of you and shooting down into the water (or up at the sky).
If there are any details that attract you, you can try to shoot them.
Underwater macro – Macro photography involves getting very close up to small objects, so it’s perfect for use underwater. You can capture everything from individual leaves floating in an Olympic-sized pool to tiny bubbles floating around your subject’s face.
What about underwater creatures? There are plenty of them for you to shoot, and actually they are a good source of inspiration for any aspiring photographers.
Conclusion
We hope that you have learned something via this article. Improving your phoography skills takes time but we hope that you will soon become a better photographer.