A combat sport which I enjoy very much but lately due to an injury I’m limited to practice. Yet, I love sport in general and sport photography as well. So it was a welcome change to be on the side line and document the last Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Camp.
Despite the “all-access” pass there are quite a few challenges which you encounter. Especially since, the main project was more about motion picture yet there I still have a steeper curve to cover. Hence let’s focus just on the picture part.
Story telling is key when it comes to photography in general, yet with sport you want to cover more than ever: action, emotion, zoom the spectator right in and narrate through the still images to evoke interests and feelings.
Now with jiu jitsu a lot happens close to the ground and sudden movement, 360° degree takes place. You almost have to take picture like you would with children, going down and be with their eye level. Low light condition, fast shutter speed and anticipation of the next move this helps apart from the technical side of using high ISO.
The easier parts to photograph –yet I find them very valuable- are some “still” images:
- hands, especially when they’re taping them
- quite moment of “handshake”, just when the action starts
- get close as possible without disturbing
- take pictures of the after and before action
- try BW for more contrast
- if you done everything have fun with some long exposure on a tripod…if it works, be artistic, yet I never tried it (perhaps black belt stuff, too advanced).
Since it was a training camp a lot of things where more set-up, a competition would be different as you ought to focus on one mat while the action takes place yet tell the story through your images.
Summary
Some of the key elements are:
- Background / Foreground
- Know the sport
- Look for action and reaction
- Patience
- See with both eyes
What to look & shoot for:
- Action
- Behind the scenes
- Emotions
- Interesting view points
- Portre
