This year's setting for the 2018 Commonwealth Games is our own beautiful Gold Coast so there’s a fair bit of
excitement in the air. After all, sporting events never fail to draw a crowd.
Among that crowd, you’ll always find photographers.
Athletes are
fast-moving, unpredictable creatures full
of emotion and ability. They’re great subject matter. But capturing them in a
single sharp photo isn’t exactly a piece of cake. Luckily, we were able to chat
with a seasoned pro: Peter Podlaha of Injected Ideas Photography.
Peter is a top-notch photographer and a top-notch athlete, so
really, who better to ask? He’s given us a tonne of insight and valuable tips
for budding sports photographers, including what gear to use and how to get
started.
Check out the full Q&A below!
Check out
that flex! Rapid fire action captured at just the right moment
Hi, I’m
Peter Podlaha, a Sydney based photographer specialising in product photography
and E-commerce with a fierce passion for high-intensity
sports.
I’ve been
clicking away on a full-time basis for 8 years; however, beyond that, the camera
was never far from my hands. I work for a manufacturer of model trains and get
to photograph models and collectables on a daily basis.
Aside from product
photography, I love photographing sports, in particular,
one that’s often forgotten about here in Australia; Ice Hockey.
It’s the raw
emotion, struggle through physical pain and exhaustion mixed with a relentless,
competitive drive to win that draws me in.
Following a
fast-moving object like an ice hockey puck—sometimes travelling up to 160km/h— mixed with [the players’] blood, sweat, and
tears gets my own adrenaline going. It
allows me to give back to a sport and community that’s given so much to me my
whole life.
Outside the
studio and rink, you’ll often find me capturing the city and country around us.
Landscapes and nature are where my creative juices start to flow. They allow me
to express myself in a way that isn’t limited by a creative brief or four
walls.
This is
where the modern era of digital is put aside and a generation of tradition
comes to life. For me, there is no greater way to do this than to emulsify it
on film.
I can push, pull,
and cross process in a way that’s been done for years. This freedom in camera
and in the darkroom is where my limitations
end and my creativity begins.
This is what
drives me, this is what intrigues me, and this is what sets my heart on fire.
Sharp focus
and a dramatic, blurred background shows off the need for speed
1. Q.
How did you get interested or started in sports photography?
A. I
got started in sports photography in 2011 with the help of one of my best
mates. We’re both hockey players and we’d hang out before games photographing
around Sydney, then go to hockey and I’d shoot the games. I would post the
photos on social media for the players and quickly became well known in the
community. In 2013, I became an official photographer for the Sydney Bears ice
hockey team and was also approached by the AIHL (Australian Ice Hockey League)
and have been an official photographer of the league to this day.
2. Q.
Favourite sport to shoot and why?
A.
My favourite sport to shoot is Ice Hockey. It’s my passion and having played
since I was 8 years old helps a lot as you need to be able to anticipate the
play due to the speed of the game. It also means I get to see the games for
free! Perks of the job.
3. Q.
Is there a sport you hate shooting? Why?
A. I
wouldn’t say I hate shooting any sports. I’d photograph any sport and love the
challenges each one presents.
4. Q.
Is there a sporting event you’d LOVE to shoot?
A. A
sporting event that I’d love to shoot is a game 7 of the NHL Stanley Cup final.
Or the Olympics; that’d be awesome too. I’d shoot any event there, even table
tennis or curling.
5. Q.
What’s your favourite lens to use? Do you ever use wide angles for sport?
A.
My favourite lens for sports has to be my Canon EF 70-200 f/2.8L USM. It
practically lives on my camera. I’ll sometimes use a wide angle for a bit of a
different perspective, though I use telephoto lenses most of the time.
Hockey isn’t always blood and bone-shattering
hits. Sometimes, there’s smiles and celebrations all round!
6. Q.
How do you feel about weather sealed lenses?
A.
Weather sealed lenses are great! Especially with a weather sealed body. I don’t
like getting my gear wet, but it’s nice to know I can keep shooting without
needing to worry about the odd bit of rain.
7. Q.
If money were no object, what would be in your sports photography kit?
A. I
shoot on Canon cameras, currently an EOS 7D MkII with a 7D backup. If money
were no object, I’d have two EOS 1Dx MkII bodies, 70-200mm f/2.8, 24-70mm f/2.8
and maybe some nice wide angle and standard prime lenses. A 300mm f/2.8 and
400mm f/2.8 would be welcome additions too.
8. Q.
How competitive is the sports photography industry? How do you go about gaining
an advantage?
A. This
industry can be pretty competitive. At some games, there may be 2 or 3
photographers. To get an advantage, I try to stay ahead by having a plan of
which shots to get, which players to look out for, and getting other
interesting images of the crowd. I often find myself rushing home to get my
images sent off to the league before other photographers. I also like to look
through other photographers galleries to see what they’ve done differently and build on that for my next shoot.
9. Q.
In your opinion, what’s the best entry level lens for sports?
A. I
used the Canon 55-250mm f/4-5.6 kit lens for about 2 years before I decided I
was getting more serious and had to upgrade. If you’re shooting outdoors, it
can be a great entry level lens, though for indoor sports you’ll need to raise
your ISO to compensate. If you’re on a budget, the best bang for buck would
have to be a sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM lens.
10. Q.
What kind of advice can you give beginners looking to start?
A.
If you’re looking to start sports photography, just look at the people around
you. Everyone has a family member or friend who plays sport. Next time they have a game, tag along. Local club sports are
a great starting point. Just make sure to get permission from coaches and
parents first. Study the sport you want to shoot and look at what other
photographers are doing. If you see another photographer at the event, don’t be
afraid to ask them for pointers. When starting out be prepared to volunteer
your time too.
11. Q.
BONUS QUESTION – Single shot or spray and pray?
A.
When shooting sports, my camera is always in high-speed
continuous shooting mode. There are techniques like tracking (a subject) or
panning with the camera and shooting a
sequence of shots. It's more of a matter of knowing how and when to use them effectively.
With fast-paced sports like hockey, I’ll
shoot bursts of about 3 frames. If I want to get a shot of a hockey player’s
stick bending as they shoot, I’ll let off a longer burst. When I need to shoot
a single frame, it’s easy to do even with continuous mode on.
Concentrating is hard work. Don't forget to check behind you there, mate!
All images
in this blog post were provided by Peter Podlaha. See more of his work on his website www.injectedideasphotography.com
Also, if you’re in Sydney, try and catch him in action at AIHL games around the city!
