1. SOCCER
This constant-action sport is absolute chaos. The ball moves around like it's in a pinball machine.
The trick to learning how to photograph soccer is using the camera as your eye. Keep the camera up to your eye as much as possible. Follow the ball with your camera, avoiding putting the camera down to see where the ball is going.
This isn't easy at first because the ball can go anywhere. In fact, there will be moments where you'll have to drop the camera down to see where the ball went. But as you get better, you'll be able to track the action through the lens.
One exception. When the goalie kicks the ball high into the air, put your camera down for a split second, watch the flight of the ball and anticipate where the ball is going to land. Just before the ball comes down, bring your camera up and lock onto the players where you anticipated the ball landing.
Don't worry if you can't keep up with soccer or the other sports listed below at first.
The good news is, the more you practice covering these sports, the easier it is to photograph football, basketball and baseball.
(Images by Travis Bell, Copyright)
2. VOLLEYBALL (and Beach Volleyball)
Like soccer, the ball can go anywhere.
At first, shoot from the side of the court. Pick one player and follow that player serving or returning shots. For the latter, let the ball come into your camera's view and photograph the ball being returned by the player.
As you get better by photographing more matches, try shooting behind the team that's serving. Follow the ball being hit across the net and photograph players hitting the ball back. This takes a lot of practice as you are shooting through the net.
High school players hit the ball 40-50 mph. Those speeds increase as you move up to NCAA and Olympic events.
3. LACROSSE
It's similar to soccer. It's in constant motion. Follow the player with the ball!
Treat yourself to ice cream after this one. If you make at least one amazing picture on your first try at this sport, you deserve it.
Interested in finding out what makes a good sports picture? Check out our ongoing series.
