orienteering photography

SHOOTING ORIENTEERINGTips for taking interesting photos

2012 Orienteering Canada ConferenceAdrian Zissos

Preamble• This is a 10-minute long presentation given at the 2012

Orienteering Canada conference• The aim is to encourage people to take more “exciting”

photos of orienteering, photos that will help promote the sport and encourage more participation, sponsorship, and media coverage

• It is inspired by a much more thorough slide presentation prepared by Martin Flynn. I highly recommend it – you can watch it here.

Avoid this…“Runner in a field”Boring snap shotWhat is this shot about?

Runner too small,Cluttered background,Closed eyes, etc

Main subjectWhat is this photo about?Power / determination / emotionViewer will react

Fill the frame People look at eyes

Isolate subject Robbie shot against dark forest

Isolate subject Get low!Anika placed against clear blue sky

Isolate subject Simone placed in frame with solid green background

Isolate subject Place the runner in the gap

Isolate the subject Shallow depth of field

Secondary subject Relationships are interesting

Secondary subject

Avoid this“Runner about to punch”Poor expression - alwaysToo static / dull

Show motionChange of directionWhere she came from & where she’s going to

Get excited Body language conveys sense of energy Anticipate the key moments

Make a plan

AZ at WOC Long Final• Arena shot• Louise at spectator control• Louise in finish chute• Candid Louise• Sam when I can (nice she starts close to Louise)• Simone / Minna / others in finish chute & candid• Winner• Crowd• Canadian fans• Details

Environment Show off the interesting places that we run

Environment Sometimes the runner is secondary

Avoid this…“O flag in a cool spot”Needs some action & human interestPerhaps get a ‘model’ for such a cool spot

Use a model

Sunlight sucksHard shadowsTry flashPray for cloudy day

Forest light sucksBright spots / dark spotsCamera’s dynamic range can’t copePray subject runs into a bright spot

Pandark forest long exposureTry 1/10th secondPractice a lot

Blur dark forest, slow shutter, still camera

Avoid this…Subject too smallSubject not isolatedSpectators not looking at subject

Strange running positionTerrible clothesOver exposed

Better… Clear subject coming at the camera(too bad about the focus)

Get high Unique view from above

Get low Get low and shoot upwardsSure fire “trick”

Shoot kids Always interestingShows a unique aspect of orienteering

Be anonymous Who the subject is isn’t importantViewers imagine themselves

Be candid Greatness, elegance, grace, humility

Show emotion

Show emotion

Show emotion

Attention to details

Jazz it up…

Go black & white

Be effective

And vary orientation

Shoot through the trees

PanSense of motion & excitement

Get the crowd involved…

Stay focused

Huh?

More? Google “orienteering photography martin flynn”* More technical information about cameras

The Finish Thanks for listening