Premier Graphics
& Animation
Work with us
Menu
Studio
OverviewServicesCapabilitiesThe Collection
Institute
OverviewProgrammesCourse libraryHow we teachCareersGuidesFor universities
Journal About Contact Work with us
Photography · MS elective · 3 credit hours · 16 sessions

Sports Photography

“If you saw it, you missed it.” Sports photography requires split-second reflexes and technical mastery. This course teaches students to freeze high-speed action using telephoto lenses and fast shutter speeds. The curriculum covers the specific positioning required for different sports (Cricket vs. Football), “Back-Button Focus” techniques, and the workflow of tagging and transmitting images live from the sidelines.

§ 01 By the end you can
  1. Master High-Speed Autofocus settings: Servo/Continuous and Back-Button Focus
  2. Anticipate "Peak Action" through knowledge of sport-specific rules
  3. Utilize Telephoto Monopod techniques for stability and panning
  4. Edit and Caption images rapidly for wire service transmission (Ingest-to-Publish)
  5. Capture the "Agony and Ecstasy": Emotion beyond the gameplay
§ 02 Sixteen sessions

The whole semester.

  1. 01The Gear: Long Lenses, Monopods, & Bodies
  2. 02Camera Settings: Shutter Priority vs. Manual
  3. 03Autofocus Mastery: Tracking & Zoning
  4. 04Positioning: Where to stand for the shot
  5. 05The "Peak Action" Theory
  6. 06Panning: Capturing Speed with Blur
  7. 07Composition: Cropping in Camera
  8. 08 · MidtermMidterm Examination
  9. 09Indoor Sports: Handling High ISO & Flicker
  10. 10Cricket Photography: The Long Game
  11. 11Football/Soccer: Anticipating the Goal
  12. 12Combat Sports: Boxing & MMA
  13. 13The "Jubilation" Shot: Celebration & Defeat
  14. 14Code of Conduct: Sideline Etiquette
  15. 15Workflow: Tagging & FTP Transmission
  16. 16Final Project: Live Game Coverage Portfolio

Midterm around session 8. Final project briefed at session 8 or 9 and developed in stages until the juries.

§ 03 Final project

Final Project: Live Game Coverage Portfolio

How it’s judged

Recommended reading
  1. Sports Photography: From Snapshots to Great Shots by Bill Frakes
  2. Peter Read Miller on Sports Photography
  3. The Decisive Moment (Concept applied to sports)
  4. Digital Sports Photography by G. Newman Lowrance
  5. Associated Press Guide to Sports Writing (For captioning/context)
More in Photography
Abstract PhotographyThis course challenges students to stop documenting the world and start interpreting it. Abstract photography strips away the identity of the subject, focusing instead on form, color, line, and texture.
Advanced Digital PhotographyThis advanced course focuses on mastering technical precision and artistic control in digital photography. Moving beyond basic exposure, students will delve into complex lighting setups, studio management, and high-end post-production workflows to create professional-grade imagery for fashion, product, and editorial contexts.
AI-Assisted Photography and Image GenerationAI is not the enemy of photography; it is a new lens. This course explores the integration of Artificial Intelligence into the photographic workflow.
Architectural and Interior PhotographyArchitecture is frozen music; photography allows us to hear it. This course focuses on capturing the built environment.
AstrophotographyThis course unlocks the hidden universe above. Astrophotography is the intersection of science and art, requiring precision, patience, and specialized technique.
Augmented Reality (AR) and PhotographyPhotographs are no longer static. This cutting-edge course merges traditional photography with immersive technology.