Sports and Action Photography is exciting and frustrating at the same time. Always trying to position yourself for the shot, then there is something in the background, someone moves, someone comes into the picture. Overall, action and sports photography is fun! I’ve been a big sports enthusiast since a child, and it amazes me the ability of athletes in all sports to compete at a high level.

It was another hot tournament in Memphis for the golfers and fans, which they have come to expect. Another playoff, the 3rd in the last 4 years. Robert Karlsson of Sweden was in a playoff for the 2nd straight year, only to lose again. This time to Harrison Frazar on the 4th playoff hole.

Robert Karlsson & Harrison Frazar

This sports photograph was taken from the 18th tee box where they played the 1st playoff hole. Interestingly enough they would be back again at 18 since they tied on the first playoff hole.

Robert Karlsson tees off on 18

Harrison Frazar tee shot goes wide right on 18

These sports and action shots are typically set on shutter priority going from 500th of a second for them standing still, to upwards of 2000th of a second for a bunker shot. Those shutter speeds will freeze the action, and eliminate the blur.

John Daly

John Daly has lost quite a bit of weight and has had gastric bypass surgery. Even though he has lost quite a bit of weight, he still can drive the ball a mile, and there are a group of fans that seem to still love the guy considering all his flaws. Don’t you just love his pants?

John Daly in HDR

This sports photograph was enhanced using HDR – High Dynamic Range techniques in post processing. I created a more old time feel to this. What are your thoughts?

Remember when photographing Sports and Action, to utilize your shutter priority and after some test shots blow them up in your LCD screen to see if your shutter speed is freezing the action.  Happy Action and Sports photographing.