Sports Photography Guide: An Eye on Athletics
Tamron’s 35-150mm F2-2.8 zoom is a game-changer for sports photographer Taylor Sims.
Share the article:
More Photo Tips | Video Gallery | Photo Gallery | Enewsletter sign-up
By Jenn Gidman
Images by Taylor Sims
Taylor Sims’ first foray into photography involved wedding work and portraits, but it was a random Instagram scroll that served as Taylor Sims's entry into the world of sports photography. “I spotted a photo of a local gym and reached out to see if they needed any content,” she says. “I knew I could offer them better than what they were showcasing, and although they didn’t have a need at the time, they reached out a few months later, with a position that allowed me to shoot three times a week at the gym.”
The Virginia photographer also had a friend from high school who trained NFL players, and soon she found herself taking pictures of the players during their training sessions. Taylor’s work from those sessions caught the eye of the head photographer for the NFL’s Washington Commanders. “When a position opened up, she offered it to me,” says Taylor. “Now I work every home game, and I’ve even had the chance to take pictures of such personalities as Magic Johnson, who’s one of the new owners of the team.”
At the heart of Taylor Sim's success in the sports arena is her Tamron 35-150mm F/2-2.8 Di III VXD zoom for her mirrorless camera system. “I love the versatility of this focal length range,” she says. “It’s perfect for me when I have to be ringside and capture a wide shot, but also when I need to zoom in and detail the beads of sweat rolling off a fighter’s face. The maximum F2-2.8 aperture, meanwhile, allows for exceptional low-light performance in dimly lit sports venues. I want to show a side of the athletes that people normally don’t see, and the Tamron 35-150mm lens helps me approach that mission from every angle.”
Terence Bud Crawford: Undisputed Welterweight Champion. Las Vegas, Nevada
Tamron 35-150mm (91mm), F2.8, 1/1250 sec., ISO 8000
Click image to view larger
TAYLOR’S SPORTS PHOTOGRAPHY GUIDE
Study the sport and get in position.
I’ve been watching football since I was 8 and am a huge fan, which helps when I’m actually on the sidelines photographing a Commanders game. Being able to anticipate the athletes’ movements and actions is key to obtaining those decisive shots. And football timing is different than timing for, say, a track and field event.
Anna Hall: 2023 World Athletics Heptathalon Silver Medalist. Budapest, Hungary
35-150mm (35mm), F2.8, 1/1600 sec., ISO 125
Click image to view larger
Being strategically positioned is also key. Sometimes you have to shift a bit to get the shot you want, which can be challenging when you’re trying to navigate a crowded arena, contending with refs, fellow photographers, and other obstacles. For combat sports like boxing, for example, there’s always three people in the ring: the two fighters and the referee. You have to be agile and constantly on the move, because there’s a good chance someone you don’t want in the frame might be.
Canelo Alvarez and Jermell Charlo: Undisputed Super Middleweight Championship. Las Vegas, Nevada
35-150mm (110mm), F2.8, 1/800 sec., ISO 5000
Click image to view larger
Work around the distractions.
Sports photography is unpredictable, meaning the luxury of selecting the perfect backdrop is a rarity. I’ve honed my ability to frame those often fast-moving subjects so that I’m emphasizing their presence, not what’s going on in the background. That’s why I love shooting at the widest apertures I can with the Tamron 35-150mm lens, blurring out the background when I can and focusing on the action and emotion of my main subject. I also take full advantage in post-production to eliminate extraneous elements, like a ref’s elbow jutting into the frame or extra people behind an athlete warming up.
Get a little goofy.
I don’t get overly corny about it, but I can be a big goofball when I’m taking pictures. Not all athletes are accustomed to being in front of a camera, but it’s important to simply realize that they’re just people, so I always engage with them on a human level. I’ll compliment my subjects or ask how their day is going or tell a joke. So many people are shoving cameras in their faces all day and taking photos without consent, so when someone actually takes the time to get to know them, they’ll relax and enable me to capture them in a more genuine way.
Magic Johnson: NBA Champion. Landover, Maryland
35-150mm (52mm), F2.2, 1/500 sec., ISO 160
Click image to view larger
It's all in the eyes.
Eyes tell you everything you need to know about a person. What they show there is the one thing that can’t be faked. Taking an athlete’s photo and focusing on their eyes offers an authentic glimpse into an individual’s journey, determination, and victories. For my photo of track and field athlete Noah Lyles, who won a bronze medal in the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, I captured him right after he’d medaled at an event in Budapest, Hungary. You can see when you look at this picture how he’s tearing up at his win. I’m an emotional person myself, so when I pulled this picture up while editing, I relived that amazing moment and started tearing up, too. That’s the powerful impact a sports photography guide can have.
Noah Lyles: Holding his medal, 2023 World Athletics Gold medalist
35-150mm (61mm), F3.2, 1/100 sec., ISO 125
Click image to view larger
To see more of Taylor Sims’ work, check out her website and Instagram.
Is your Tamron News subscription up to date? Click to subscribe to all editions of Tamron News featuring how-to tips, new product news, contest announcements and inspiration!
More Photo Tips | Watch Videos | Learn More About Tamron Lenses | Photo Gallery