7 TIPS on how to IMPROVE your Sport Photos

[@davemears8272]

It is so important to tell a story, and capture the emotion, as well as the action on the field.

[@MarkKerton]

Thanks for watching Dave. Yes, good to try and tell the whole story, not just the result

[@davemears8272]

@@MarkKerton I have Subscribed. I'm a volunteer football photographer in Lincolnshire.

[@MarkKerton]

@@davemears8272 Appreciate that Dave. Which teams do you shoot for then?

[@davemears8272]

@@MarkKerton Peterborough United Women and Bourne Town FC.

[@davemears8272]

Top Tip Mark! Cover both Elation & Dejection.

[@ketzerman3120]

Soooo helpful, thanks Mark, we need a part two! :D

[@moeran1944]

Great advice again. I was told by an old hand news photographer "You've got to photograph with both eyes", and now you can add "and with your ears" !!

[@MarkKerton]

Hi Pete. Yeh that’s right! And I still manage to miss incidents, ha! Thanks for watching👍🏻

[@ruslibontot3035]

saya kagum dengan om MARK KERTON🤩🤩🥰

[@cadmus777]

I've just watched this again 2 years later, and it's still gold! I'm shooting mostly with a 500 f4, which has a lot of issues when shooting football (soccer!) , and I find myself shooting vertical a lot more than I'd like just to fit players in the frame, but they can be the best shots from the game too. Thanks again for these videos, great stuff. That's a good'n!

[@stefanpeck7414]

Fantastic tips, always think outside the box, great thankyou

[@MarkKerton]

Thanks for watching Stefan👍🏻

[@dchodeva]

I just got up-skilled by 25min of pure expert knowledge! I love this channel Mark! Thanks so much

[@MarkKerton]

Ah THANKS Donald, really appreciate that. Glad you can take something from it. Thanks for your support on the channel👍🏻

[@kevinhumphries763]

Another great video Mark. Loving all the hints and insights you give out 👍

[@MarkKerton]

Thanks for watching Kevin, glad it’s helped you out👍🏻

[@westyorksshutterbug]

Excellent and really helpful 👍🏏⚽️

[@MarkKerton]

Thanks for watching Scott, glad it’s helped out in some way👍🏻

[@westyorksshutterbug]

@@MarkKerton most definitely helpful. Take delivery of 1DX mk iii and some other gear in part inspired by these vids next week. I will be videoing the local gas works 4th XI, at least initially, and the tips will really help 👍

[@MarkKerton]

Brilliant Scott. Hope it all goes well👍🏻

[@MrGraeme1961]

Brilliant talking head video Mark, that was a quick 25 minutes .love the Afghan with the Dog, just shows you have the eye.

[@MarkKerton]

Hi Graeme. Thanks, was wondering after I’d made it if it was too long! Glad it came across ok. Yes, that dog had me giggling for a while that’s for sure! You just never know what’s going to happen next! Thanks Graeme👍🏻

[@johnmallett2217]

Some good stuff in there Mark. Watching it round again to make sure I haven’t missed anything

[@MarkKerton]

Thanks John. Again, really! I did think I’d perhaps made it a bit long at first! Thanks for your support John👍🏻

[@fasttracksportsphotography6311]

Great advice. You are so right. It's the non-action shots that are quite often the ones that are used.

[@MarkKerton]

Hi Gordon. Thanks for watching. Yes, some papers love a slightly different image sometimes! It doesn’t always pay off but it’s great when it does!👍🏻

[@darrelltowler]

Your one of my new fav channels...love the down to earth style. Subscribed.

[@MarkKerton]

Thanks so much Darrell, really appreciate your support👍🏻

[@ruicardoso1969]

I had agreed to go and photograph the son of a friend who plays in an under 16 team, these tips were very important to me, now we have to wait for the games to happen again. I really appreciate the simple way Mark talks about the various photography themes in the videos. Thank you Mark.

[@MarkKerton]

Hi Rui. Thanks for your support👍🏻 Keeping everything crossed we can get back to work soon as it’s safe!

[@GuyGodin27]

Great tips, thanks for sharing

[@MarkKerton]

Thanks for watching Guy. Glad you found the video helpful👍🏻

[@rodsmoltz5996]

I really like your simplicity. Keep on the good work!

[@MarkKerton]

Thanks Rod, I really appreciate that. Great to know that you enjoy the style of videos on the channel. Thanks for watching

[@rblast1]

Good tips for all levels of sports, the crowd, coaches can really tell a story.

[@MarkKerton]

Thanks for watching Richard👍🏻

[@kellysmy7872]

Top shelf tips right there, fantastic video Mark, hopefully we can all get back out there soon and start shooting once again, I know I can't wait especially since I only picked up my 400 a week or two before everything started shutting down and sports were being cancelled left and right. Keep up the great work mate!

[@MarkKerton]

Thanks Kelly. Yes, I bet that 400 is raring to go! Glad you liked the video, thanks for letting me know, appreciate that. Keeping an eye on the premier league rumours that they might be starting training soon, fingers crossed🤞🏻

[@peterp7736]

Thanks for those godtier tips!

[@MarkKerton]

Thanks for watching 👍🏻

[@kentaufderheide8454]

Great video!!

[@MarkKerton]

Thanks Kent👍🏻

[@kevingutteridge83]

This is really interesting Mark. Great expert knowledge and tips keep the videos coming.

[@MarkKerton]

Thanks for watching Kevin, appreciate that and glad you enjoyed the video. Such a shame my sport has stopped for now but hopefully it will return in the future🤞🏻

[@JulietHotel7]

Another cracking video Mark, just need the games to start again to put this all into practice!

[@MarkKerton]

Thanks Tommy👍🏻 Yes, it can’t start back up quick enough! Just a case of keeping your eye in on other stuff for now aye!

[@cadmus777]

Gold!

[@MarkKerton]

Thanks for your support

[@JgHobley]

Great video. Loads of very useful tips.

[@MarkKerton]

Thanks for your support Jon👍🏻

[@StephenDavisMonsignor]

Excellent tips, Mark! Thank you for sharing your insight!

[@MarkKerton]

Thanks Stephen. Hopefully help anyone starting out👍🏻

[@glenoregan7861]

More fantastic content 👍

[@MarkKerton]

Thanks Glen. Appreciate your support👍🏻

[@klausnielsen7111]

Wow, great video with so many good tips and advice. Didn't even realize 25 minutes had gone by... You're such an inspiration. Keep up the good work 👍

[@MarkKerton]

Hi Klaus and thanks. I did wonder if it may be a bit long so glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for your support👍🏻

[@silakiplagat]

great one resourceful

[@MarkKerton]

Many thanks Sila. Hope you are well

[@silakiplagat]

@@MarkKerton am good and safe Mark hoping you too

[@MarkKerton]

That’s great Sila. All good over here thank you. Keeping busy making videos👍🏻

[@nickbimages]

Great advice Mark - thanks!

[@MarkKerton]

Thanks for watching Nick👍🏻

[@MLeeMedia]

Such valuable tips in this video, I feel you could have gone for longer, didn't feel like 25m Mark, maybe a part 2 one day! Excellent video!

[@MarkKerton]

Thanks David. Definately more to come for sure!

[@NikCan66]

Great video another Kerton Kracker as usual and information for people to try out the tips mentioned the next time we can get a chance to photographs sports.

[@MarkKerton]

Thanks NIkCan, glad you found it usefull👍🏻

[@NikCan66]

Mark Kerton Your like the oracle for photographers we can all learn from.

[@MarkKerton]

Haha, very kind NIkCan. I’m learning too though! Every days a learning day👍🏻

[@NikCan66]

Mark Kerton Well thanks very much and looking forward to the next video installments and suggestions.

[@MarkKerton]

Edit colab Episode 3 next up I think NIkCan👍🏻

[@gerryshanahan1685]

Another great video Mark.

[@MarkKerton]

Thanks Gerry👍🏻

[@davidlinneyphotography5046]

Some good info..find the headphones sometimes don't work too well due to interfere. .but still try

[@MarkKerton]

Thanks David. Yes, sometimes the apps aren’t great in stadiums!

[@shooting-starsphotography846]

Many Thanks!

[@MarkKerton]

Thanks for watching, appreciate your support👍🏻

[@chrismccluskiephotographer]

Headphones! So simple. So obvious. Why have I never thought of that!? Cheers, Mark.

[@MarkKerton]

Hi Chris. I always look forward to the matches that are on live broadcast. Often a great help👍🏻 Thanks for your support Chris

[@chrismccluskiephotographer]

@@MarkKerton I'm doing Newcastle v Sheffield U on Sunday. Taking my headphones! :-D

[@MarkKerton]

Ah brilliant Chris. Hope you have a great game👍🏻 All a bit trickery with the current rules n regs but hopefully you’ll get on well. Let us know how it goes👍🏻

[@nickgerrard3107]

Another helpful video. Totally agree about with taking a shot of the ref. Recently I took a shot of the ref walking onto the pitch at a North West counties game and he was an ex Serie A Ref from Italy. I’m made up the image has been used a couple of times by local press and a national magazine.

[@MarkKerton]

Brilliant Nick. Great skills there. Even just taking one frame of the ref can go far so always worth a go👍🏻 Thanks for getting in touch Nick.

[@ejhdevries]

Very good tips, thank you! Hopefully we can get back on the fields as soon as possible. :-)

[@MarkKerton]

Hi Edwin. Thanks for the support👍🏻 Yes, it really can’t come quick enough!🤞🏻

[@ejhdevries]

@@MarkKerton Quick question. I've noticed, after winterbreak, that I had to get back in it again. My timing was a bit off and it felt rusty in the first game. Do you have the same after a time away from shooting football, or don't you have those problems?

[@MarkKerton]

Oh yeh, to be expected Edwin for sure. Just a case of keeping your eye in with different subjects for now!

[@davidfeatherstone5078]

Another fabulous video Mark. 25 minutes wasn’t long enough. 😉

[@MarkKerton]

Hi David. Glad you enjoyed it. Plenty more to chat about for another video at some point. Hope you are keeping well.

[@davidfeatherstone5078]

I tune in everyday Mark in the lookout for your inspirational videos in readiness for when the football season starts up again 🙏🏻

[@SundayRacers]

Great tips. Really like your channel. I shoot motorsport and having an earpiece in with the circuit radio commentary on is a really good idea. One ear only, mind :)

[@MarkKerton]

Thanks for watching. Yes, having an ear on the comms can be a nice little bonus sometimes👍🏻 I used to shoot a lot of Rallying back in the day, great fun!

[@The-creator1M]

Question would a 18-400 lens work for high school? Cause I’m working my way up to 70-200 lens soon!

[@robmobbs960]

great advice how do write up a caption

[@MarkKerton]

Thanks Rob

[@TARAWELSH]

really interesting video! So true- at the end of the day you're telling a story!

[@MarkKerton]

Hiya Laura. Thanks for watching. Like you say, it's so important that our images explain themselves! Sometimes it's harder to portray but thats what I love about photography!

[@TARAWELSH]

@@MarkKerton Definately- like you said .. sometimes you get an image that matches a story without even knowing that when you shot it - like your root dropping one for example

[@MarkKerton]

Yep, It's all about thinking what the story could be! Of course sometimes I've got it wrong, shooting one scene when the other scene I ignored ends up being the story! Dare to be different!

[@TARAWELSH]

@@MarkKerton yeh you see alot of photographers following each other.. then look around and see the odd one doing something different.. those are the people you want to be!

[@MarkKerton]

Thats it. Obviously have to make a sensible call sometimes but every now and then it pays off. Thanks for supporting the channel by the way Laura

[@7352tommy]

Hi Mark. A very interesting video. Do you get a credit on your images when their printed, watching the video I didn’t see any picture by information.

[@MarkKerton]

Thanks Clive. Only the Times Telegraph and the guardian credit nowadays! Thanks for watching the video👍🏻

[@andyleitch6191]

Superb content. Thanks! This is a hack from the betting world but you might want to try an analogue radio device to plug in the headphones - should knock out that 30 second delay.

[@MarkKerton]

Thanks Andy. That’s a really good point about using an old radio! It’s all tech nowadays yet an old radio would be perfect!👍🏻 Thanks for your support Andy

[@philipwalsh7421]

Hi Mark i hope you can help me When i am shooting sport on my Canon1dx Mk 1 and 300 f2.8 lens more pics than usual are badly out of focus. I can see the camera hunting and not not locking but the focus does get quite a few pics sharp but i've notice a lot are badly out of focus Do you think the lens needs serviced? Many thanks Philip

[@MarkKerton]

Hi Philip. I replied to this question earlier on this evening. Sorry it took so long. Let me know if it doesn’t pop up👍🏻

[@LSvlogging]

If I'm other end to a goal I tend to always photograph the keeper, mostly coz I don't have a 400 but still

[@MarkKerton]

Hi LS Media. It’s often the best idea when there’s a goal at the other end and sometimes pays off👍🏻

[@IvanOn2Wheels]

I am the same I don't have a 400mm yet so I look for the keeper's reaction and the crowd as well

[@martinstokes5596]

Really really interesting Mark..great insight into your work , thanks for sharing..Just wondered on average how many frames would you shoot during a match and how quickly do you have to have them uploaded to the agency after the game.?..I am guessing they come straight out of camera ,.no time to edit so the pressure is on to get your exposures and compositions spot on during the game,,

[@MarkKerton]

Thanks Martin. We usually shoot about 800-1300 frames through the game. I’m lucky and usually have an editor back up in Nottingham sitting handling my frames. I send straight off the back of the camera as the action happens. Occasionally I’ll edit myself pitchside, which obviously takes a bit longer but on the whole the images are gone 5-10 seconds after the action, goal, red card, bad foul, that sort of thing. I cover most of it in this video kzbin.info/www/bejne/qKO6pH9-jN6Jmac

[@alexleech4490]

Great tips - thanks!! One of the best ideas I've picked up is to always shoot with both eyes open, as it gives a lot more awareness of what's happening on/around the field...

[@MarkKerton]

Thanks for supporting the channel Alex👍🏻 Yes, good to keep checking your surroundings

[@stewartjackaviationvideos7360]

Fantastic video Mark, do you send a lot of images off to the news desk as it’s happening or do you wait until after the game to send them off?

[@MarkKerton]

Thanks Stewart. I’m very lucky as we have a remote editor based up in Nottingham editing and processing my images that I send straight off the back of the camera as it happens, for all Premier League games anyway. Check out this video to see how it all works kzbin.info/www/bejne/qKO6pH9-jN6Jmac

[@stewartjackaviationvideos7360]

Mark Kerton thanks I’ll give it a look.

[@rickandkarenbaker6152]

what edit software do you use?

[@MarkKerton]

Thanks for watching👍🏻 I mainly edit with PS, occasionally LR for anything landscape.

[@kentaufderheide8454]

As I said this video is great. I have a question. I know you take a ton of pics at a soccer game. What photos do you send off? How do you decide what may or may not be used or would even have a chance to be used. A couple of the pics that were used in the papers I would have thought would have never been used. Great quality pics but I probably would have never sent them off. If you could give me a few ideas on how this works for you it would be appreciated.

[@MarkKerton]

Thanks Kent. It’s about what could accompany a story really. Any frame that we think might go well with current issues is sent off. A lot don’t see the light of day again but always good to try and think ahead to what stories will be included in reports. Hope that helps👍🏻

[@mikesnell3683]

Excellent tips Mark, thank you! Can I ask how much you use the 400mm when play is close to (or inside) the 18-yard box. In my experience there's a risk that, when an attacking player approaches the penalty area, I can miss a fine shot (and subsequent goal) between leaving my long lens and picking up the 70-200mm. Any advice?

[@MarkKerton]

Thanks Mike. Probably the worst part of sport photography is the "lens swap!" I tend to pivot to portrait if I'm on one attacking player, if I think I can get away with it! Sometimes it works well and you can capture a nice tight shot frame. However, there is always a risk of missing THE frame during the swap. It's all down to judging the run of play really I'd say, no easy fix unfortunately. 8 out of 10 times I've found, the papers will go with the cele anyway. Shot frames only get used if no one has captured the cele. Not really much help there Mike sorry.

[@mikesnell3683]

@@MarkKerton No, that's fine Mark thanks. I'm clearly not alone!

[@Fatladcycles]

Mark please help me, can I ask you mention stock photos..... How and where can I do this without bumping into copyright /model release issues?

[@MarkKerton]

Hi Karl. Stock photos are basically man and ball, head and shoulders of players. As a rule we tend to grab as many of these sort of frames at the start of the season, when the teams first start playing in new kit. Do you shoot for an agency or submit to and agency?

[@Fatladcycles]

@@MarkKerton yh I get that but where do you submit the stock photos to the agency or yo traditional stock sites? I'm just starting out and trying to approach agencies, I did at the weekend as jermaine pennant turned out for the non league team I was photographing but no replies or interest as yet

[@MarkKerton]

I work for PA (Press Association) so send direct to them. They then send out to lots of clients, papers etc. Sounds like you’re going down the right areas. Best thing to do is build a good strong portfolio and then approach various agencies. I’ve made a video recently on how I got started. Should help you out a bit hopefully👍🏻

[@Fatladcycles]

@@MarkKerton cheers will do, and yes that's the plan have watched all your sports videos and drawn inspiration and hope from them and following all the advice

[@Fatladcycles]

@@MarkKerton what's the best way to submit to PA is there a particular email address or section on the website?

[@tollarplennie]

Really good video, as many other said, went too quick:) I am not professional, but struggling to learn more and really have the same idea as you on the "off-action" pictures. I sometime find my self taking more pictures where action is not than is! Trying to level it out. My big thing right now is to get access to games. So far mostly taken pictures of friends games and my sons games. The big games are only for pro's like yourself. For us that are really interested but not professional's, any tips how to get close? Then there can be other problem:) As example, I live in the states for a few years, and next to where we live there is a softball team playing. But I haven't dared to go taking pictures over there for the risk of being blamed of taking pictures of small girls. Not too common that a guy in his 40's that has no connection to the team at all start to take pictures of them and then leave. So should try to get hold of a coach to present what I am doing or how did you get access in the start?

[@MarkKerton]

Hi Lennie. Thanks for getting in touch. Yes, it’s really tricky to get started. Sounds like you are on the right tracks though by starting at a low level, just like me. I recently made a video on how I got started which will answer a lot of your questions. kzbin.info/www/bejne/bZ-ZenuLmNmrnZI let me know if you need any more info👍🏻

[@richardbrooks3253]

Love the Chanel Mark! Had a little experience with an agency at championship football games. However my 2nd hand equipment was mocked and anyone with more modern gear my photographs weren't really considered? To move forward 2nd hand more affordable but is saving up for new expensive gear always the way forward?

[@MLeeMedia]

Richard Brooks You should ignore those who feel they’re better simply because of the fact they have better gear. Better gear is obviously helpful if you can afford it, but above all, if you know how to use it. There are plenty of photographers that feel they’re superior for all sorts of reasons, gear is just one of them. Just smile and do your thing. The photographer makes the photo, not the camera.

[@davidfeatherstone5078]

M. Lee Media Exactly! My first experience was photographing a Man.United game as an enthusiastic amateur during the days of film. I went along with a press photographer friend of mine (using his colleague’s pass). All I had was a Pentax body with 200 ml f.4 lens, sitting next to photographers with all the high end equipment. I could sense the looks they were giving me but I swear I was the only person who got the winning goal.

[@MLeeMedia]

David Featherstone right on David!

[@MarkKerton]

Hi Richard. Thanks for supporting the channel. Ignore what anyone else thinks Richard, often just jealousy! My 400 is 2nd hand and still does me well. I do sometimes have to knock it up to f3.2 to keep things sharp but can put up with that. Keep snapping and improving your portfolio and I'm sure it will work out for you.

[@MarkKerton]

Great words David, spot on!

[@TARAWELSH]

The staying on the 400mm one is interesting...i stay on it too long everytime as i love the lens so much haha

[@MarkKerton]

Haha! It sure is an addictive lens with the quality we can produce from it!

[@Lovisman]

Hi. Great video, and some really great tips. Im 19, and been doing sports photography for our local football team for about 1-2 years now, mostly as a hobby. Now I have started to make som money of it, and looking for a tip. I shoot with a really good Canon EF 300mm lens that I have access to through work, which I really enjoy using. My camera on the other hand, is a Canon 750d which I bought when I was pretty new to photography. Im always looking to improve, and looking to upgrade that camera, but dont make too much money of my work. Do you recommend any good cameras that dont cost too much?

[@Lovisman]

Im pretty sure the lens is called Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS II USM Lens. All i know is that its a really expensive one😅

[@MarkKerton]

Hi Marty. Thanks for watching and getting in touch. I would say go for a 1dx IF you can budget for one. 2nd hand bodies are going for around £800-1000 at the moment. MPB, WEX or LCE have plenty to look at. If you don't want 12fps then a 7Dmkii would be worth a look too and slightly cheaper for a 2nd hand body at around £500 for a low shutter count example. However, the 7d does struggle with low light conditions, just so that you are aware. Hope that helps Marty. Let us know what you opt for.

[@Lovisman]

@@MarkKerton Cheers. I´ll have a look!

[@Lovisman]

@@MarkKerton Hello again, Mark. So I've been looking a lot recently, and I think I'm leaning more and more over to the 7dmkii, as it fits my budget better. One of the reasons I want to change out my starter-750d camera, is the image quality. I want my sports photos to be sharp. I shoot in Norway, most of the time in the evenings, and very often its dark outside (except in the summertime), I've been looking up the specs, and its seems like the 750d has higher resolution images than the 7mkii? I may have that information wrong, what do you think?

[@Lovisman]

If you want to have a look at how my photos currently turns out with my 750d, you can have a quick look at my portfolio from this season of football: martinfl.myportfolio.com/

[@kingweddingmedia]

How do model releases work for images of footballers uploaded to the likes of Getty images? Surely you can’t get every footballer to sign a release for all the images taken of them?!

[@MarkKerton]

I’m not sure on that Simon. I presume they must all have some sort of contract with their clubs. Look at Pogba, he demands literally millions!

[@kingweddingmedia]

Mark Kerton ha ha thanks Mark! I did a little bit of research and I think model releases would be more prevalent for general photography. With sports photos, they’re most likely going to be used/bought by the press and for news purposes, so model releases wouldn’t be required. Not 100% sure though! Cheers!

[@MarkKerton]

Pretty sure I’ve heard before of signings being delayed due to image rights not being agreed Simon, could be wrong?!

[@williamtimothy5437]

I’ve just started watching Your channel you have helped so much I’m photographing little league football and they want to pay me for photo.. well I’m stuck I don’t know what to charge can you help me? Love your work.

[@MarkKerton]

Thanks for watching William. If you’re giving them the images I’d start at £100 a match and see what they come back with. How long have you been photographing sport?

[@williamtimothy5437]

@@MarkKerton Thank you I’ve been photographing sports my 1st season I’m more so into portrait photography but I love sports as well

[@NikCan66]

Always keep 2 eyes open at the game in case anything happens. Noticed some photographers keep one eye closed.

[@MarkKerton]

Hi NIk. Yep, always keep an eye on the quiet areas!

[@Bushcraft242]

Started years ago film pentax photography blurry photography stills sports basketball baseball ⚾️ then mother father brother passed away now canon rebel t7 18-55 75-300 my friends use Nikon I think more clear pictures i get creative thinking lines colours people

[@MarkKerton]

Sounds like you have some nice kit, that is great. Thanks for watching👍🏻

[@clausbirch5062]

Hello Sir, have to tell you that all your videos are amazing. Having done sports photography myself for many years, it is always interesting to learn from others. I always try to improve, can I do something better, different? Your videos surely are great inspiration. Thanks a lot, from a danish viewer, Claus Birch. www.sportsfoto.clausbirch.dk.

[@MarkKerton]

Thanks Claus, really do appreciate that. Great to know you found the video interesting. Unfortunately no sport work for me at the moment! So turned my eye to landscapes for the time being and actually really enjoying it! Hope you are safe and well over in Denmark👍🏻