Many male photography enthusiasts prefer to take photos of action-packed sports events. Being the male that they

are, their interest often lies in photographing people involved in various types of sports. For some, particularly

those who were former athletes themselves, this endeavor has become a passion. For others, it becomes an income earning opportunity as they are able to contribute

their photos to magazines, travel guides and websites.

But taking photos of athletes or people joining sports events takes patience and some techniques. What counts is you specialize in a certain area and learn your subject matter as best as you can. Gaining experience is the best

teacher apart from constant reading from a wide variety of resources.

Professional sports photographer from England, Jordan Weeks, offers his tips on how to improve your skills. This

man has been snapping since age 16 and has covered different sports including running, hiking, triathlon,

cycling, swimming and surfing.

Get some inspiration. Isn't it that when one is inspired, he or she gets more creative? The same is true with

photography. So find some inspiration before you start shooting or go somewhere else to shoot. This means

browsing through magazines and websites and figuring out how photographers have taken their shots. Avoid copying their work because being original in what you do is always best. Aim for your own style and when you know what it is

you want, you'll surely find it easy to snap on your preferred subjects.

Know your camera. Shooting subjects that move fast can be quite challenging. As such, it will be most helpful if you

understand your camera very well. Knowing all the settings will make it easy for you to shoot away while the athletes or people are on the move. It will also allow you to do things quickly such as change lenses, shutter speed or aperture. Keep in mind that when you're taking action scenes, you need to act fast so you won't miss anything.

Learn the sport. Do learn about the sport as well because if you know what goes on, you can prepare well for taking the images. You will be able to predict what will happen next and know when to click the shutter. Jordan Weeks

claims he even participates in the sports to get a first-hand experience on the action and the adrenalin. If you can, why not do the same when you have some free time.

Get closer. One of the best tips that photographers often give is to take photos up close. Even in sports photography, you can very well do this. Experiment with close up shots and eventually, you will find that your images are worth a

second look. Snap on the leg part or the head part because they are the areas where drama can be seen.

Remember these simple steps and you'll be on your way to becoming a professional sports photographer in the near

future. Practice makes perfect so take the time to experiment and learn more about the sports you're

interested in.

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