Why Action Photos Are OVERRATED!

Why Action Photos are Overrated!
Action photos are the photos that happen when you are in the right place and can follow the play. But you need to capture more than action in order to get better at sports photography. So stop taking action photos to improve your sports photography. Well, don't completely stop taking action photos, but start taking non action photos. The details, the emotion, and the story are all important factors in getting great images. Best of all, practicing these things doesn't require any new gear. It is a great way to improve without upgrading your gear. You can improve your sports photography with any camera you have. The more you do it, the more you will develop your style. This is sports photography advice you need to hear!
0:00 - Intro
0:33 - Capturing Details
4:22 - Capturing Reactions
8:03 - Storytelling
Follow along on Instagram @paulrutherford_
Check out my images at www.paulrutherfordphotography.com
As always, leave any questions in the comments!

[@Paul_Rutherford]

Did anyone notice Spiderman?!

[@JGZphotography]

You are 110% right on!! As a sports photographer, I separate myself from other photographers who are inclined to focus on closeup action shots and ignore the story to include candid and reaction shots. While I have the skills for action shots, both wide and closeups, I always submit photo shots to my agency to give their gallery a more behind the scenes appeal of being there. Reaction shots of coaches are dear to me, like the volleyball coach that reacts to the kill. I know that many photographers lack the skills to be observant and to anticipate a turning story. Indeed, it's a learning process, and some will never get to the highest skills. Kudos for your video.

[@Paul_Rutherford]

Thanks for watching! It takes a lot of practice to get in the mindset to look for those other photos. Also the confidence in your action photo ability to be able to look away from the field

[@tedk2814]

Great advice, I'll have to remind myself with a written game plan. The only time I remember catching a "non action" shot that people commented on was prior to a high school baseball game when in the dugout, one guy was painting eye black on another guy's face, kinda like makeup. I love pregame shots. thanks Paul.

[@Paul_Rutherford]

Those can be really fun getting ready moments!

[@kevinhumphries763]

Cracking video Paul. I shoot mostly Girls/Ladies rugby and love getting shots of the parents, coaches and the off field players!

[@Paul_Rutherford]

Yes! Fans, parents, coaches, and off field players are great subjects that often get overlooked!

[@bethwitrogen7091]

You are SO TALENTED! Really enjoying your videos & especially your images. SUPERB! I love to shoot the human side of sports. Grew up on Bud Greenspan & the thrill of victory & the agony of defeat. Thanks for all your help!

[@Paul_Rutherford]

Thanks for watching and commenting! Let me know if you ever have any specific questions!

[@mor.6860]

Thank you so much for this video. I appreciate it so much. My eyes just got wide opened. You are so correct. Thank you

[@Paul_Rutherford]

Thanks for watching! Glad it helped!

[@lance8298]

This is probably one of the most enlightening..inspiring photography videos I've seen in a very long time...well done.

[@Paul_Rutherford]

Wow, thank you!

[@PauloOtago]

Thanks this video Paul! It made so much sense and I've drawn a lot of inspiration from it. I applied it to a roller derby shoot that I did today and it made a real difference - I still have a lot more to learn and apply too.

[@Paul_Rutherford]

Thanks for watching and glad it helps!

[@ktfetrow]

OMG I am so glad I ran across your channel. Totally becoming a stalker! I agree on the point about shooting details to keep yourself engaged...after the 8th year of shooting HS basketball...it all starts to look the same.

[@Paul_Rutherford]

Thanks for watching! Can get boring sometimes, always gotta try to switch it up a little bit.

[@berthindman5778]

Every game is a story. I shoot 100 or more professional baseball games a season. I always arrive early to just get other creative shots. I shoot the anthem for every game but the shots rarely look the same. I'll do different angles, wide or tight etc every game. I look for shots that represent companies and sponsors. Always shoot past the action for the reaction.

[@Paul_Rutherford]

Love it. It gets boring quick if you keep taking the exact same photos every game. And then if you ever need a specific image you know how to go create it!

[@ChrisCollick]

Excellent advice, Paul! I go to a lot of the high school football games....but only because I'm a band parent. So, I do get a lot of photos of the band performing during the games and I feel like I miss out on what's happening on the field. However, I'm glad that this kind of info is out there because, as you are saying, we all want to tell the story of what happens on Friday nights...not just what happens on the gridiron. Thanks for sharing your heart! :)

[@Paul_Rutherford]

Thanks for watching! Always fun to shed light the people off the field!

[@emmanuelduvivier6436]

Hello Paul, thanks a lot for your work, for the channel , for sharing your experience, tips and details that enable to improve the sports photos of many people. Chapeau!

[@Paul_Rutherford]

I appreciate it! Thanks for watching and glad it is helping!

[@multeegaming]

Great video! Thanks 🙏🏻 But, i noticed, that shoot emotions on amateur or semi-pro level, a little bit harder, because the stakes are not so high as on a pro level.

[@Paul_Rutherford]

I'd say it really depends. Sometimes the pros also don't care as much during the regular season, but high school and amateur can have a lot of emotion. Really does depend on the stakes of the game, but at any level you can find these photos. Lots of emotion I've found in Ultimate frisbee, but mostly in close games and once they are elimination games.

[@multeegaming]

@@Paul_Rutherford alright, thanks for the answer) I will do my best!

[@bquinn722]

This is spot on and something I have been working on to get better at. Action shots are great and you can get some really good shots, but in my opinion the reaction shots are even better.

[@Paul_Rutherford]

I do feel like it takes a lot more work to find great reaction shots, but its so worth the work!

[@antegunjaca]

Hey Paul, I've been following you for quite some while and i love the content! I was just curious if you could make a video on how you got started and tips on starting off because not a lot of us can shoot NBA finals haha. Keep up the good work man!

[@Paul_Rutherford]

Thanks for watching! I'm working on a video about shooting high school sports and another with basic tips, so be on the lookout! Let me know if there is anything specific you want to know about.

[@antegunjaca]

@@Paul_Rutherford Just some tips on how you were approaching people to photograph it all, and also do you do any other photo bussiness than sports?

[@Paul_Rutherford]

@@antegunjaca Will definitely include that! Spoiler, I do other photo work than sports.

[@jmendezh]

Cool, nice. Thanks

[@Paul_Rutherford]

Thanks for watching!

[@rblast1]

Like your tip on the home run focus on the picture

[@Paul_Rutherford]

Thanks! Was a revelation when I saw someone else did it and had to do it for myself.

[@BruceLeroyUK]

Great tips

[@Paul_Rutherford]

Glad you like them!

[@ricardojaime7741]

Great Advice

[@Paul_Rutherford]

Thanks for watching!

[@luissilva4388]

Men, great great tips 💪

[@Paul_Rutherford]

Appreciate it! Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@davidnelson2065]

Good audio and video quality. You may want to cut back on the "hand gestures"...

[@Paul_Rutherford]

Thanks for the advice and for watching.

[@erik5024]

I'm still trying to figure out 'paint by numbers' with not enough paint and old, nasty brushes....and you're showing me how to paint the Mona Lisa.

[@Paul_Rutherford]

Haha. We all started with the paint by numbers! I'll make sure to include some of my older paint by numbers photos in a future video.

[@erik5024]

@@Paul_Rutherford I know it's a progression. I know some local photographers that are far more artistic than others, and some get the great action shots. There is a place for both, and I also think it depends on your goal. I had considered trying to shoot for MaxPreps, and they want tightly cropped action shots of the individual athletes, because that's what they sell. If I really wanted to make a few extra bucks (this is 100% a hobby for me), I would take a lot more action shots like that and heavily market my instaproofs site to try and get those sales. There is a market for the athletes and parents that want cool action shots. I also shoot (gratis) for the high school my kids attend in return for a state media pass, and they probably gravitate more towards the emotion and the story. I really don't know where I'll be as a sports photographer in a few years when my boys graduate high school, or if I'll even do it at that point. That being said, I totally agree that the action shots are like the chips and salsa you get when you sit down at a restaurant.....really tasty and enjoyable, but if you fill up on that, you'll miss the meal.

[@Paul_Rutherford]

You are completely right that there is a place for both. Personally the reason I enjoy shooting is getting those different photos and trying to create new things that interest me. I'd get burnt out quick only doing tight cropped action and trying to make volume sales. It is a small part of my business, but couldn't do it as the entire thing. I say if you are enjoying shooting it doesn't matter what you're doing, just keep doing it!

[@magictg9964]

should i get a dslr 5d mark iv or a mirroless r6? mainly for sports

[@Paul_Rutherford]

I try not to make decisions for people since there is so much that can go into a purchase. I will say both are great cameras, but I think mirrorless will have more of a future. So if I was buying now, I'd probably go with an R6. But if you can find a 5d mark iv for a lot cheaper and use that money for a better lens, then that would be a good option too. Just know that neither will dramatically improve your photography right away!

[@doriansantana9420]

Noticed there is spider man in your frame lol

[@Paul_Rutherford]

always keeping me safe

[@Gshotpictures]

Silly just silly!

[@Paul_Rutherford]

Thanks for watching!

[@Gshotpictures]

@@Paul_Rutherford no disrespect intended but while I agree that people need to show the whole story as in crowd, celebration, build up to the game, candids….. sports photography is about the action the rest is the appetizer and desert. The action images “if the photographer is capable of quality work” well that is the meat and potatoes 🥔

[@Paul_Rutherford]

@@Gshotpictures None taken! Action is very important and wanted to show everyone that there is more to focus on than just action. I'm thinking of doing another video about action photos being underrated! Haha Thanks for watching and commenting!