The old saying ""being in the right place at the right time" couldn't be more appropriate than for sports photography. If you're not anticipating where the ball's going to go, you're not getting the best shots. Know where to position yourself to get the best possible photos throughout the event. If it's a moving game, like football, position yourself as close to the field as you can, where you're most likely to get the best shots possible. Check out the view from both sides of the field through the lens. What's in the background? It'll affect that awesome touchdown you snap.

Your photographic skill is certainly a factor. Knowing where to set up, knowing the sport you're covering. All important points. But you need the right equipment in the fast action of sports photography to get those shots as the teams move down the field. Packing your camera bags with two separate cameras and lenses will allow you to be prepared for that interception at the 10 yard line or the fumble at the 40 yard line. In addition, consider keeping another lens handy for close shots like the incredible pass caught right in front of you.

Make it personal. Sports people know and love (or not, depending on Sunday's score) their players. They pay big bucks to sit in the scorching sun, freezing cold, pouring rain to cheer them on. They stand in line to get those tickets. They sit in front of the TV, maybe two, all weekend and watch the PGA tournament, countless football games, the NASCAR race. When you're taking you're photograph, make sure you have their face clearly in the shot. It gives the picture personality and passion and will make it a memorable photograph.

It's not always going to be about the action in the sports. There's an extraordinary amount of human emotion in this field, also. This is where your knowledge of the players and coaches becomes invaluable. We've all seen those shots; from the joy on the face of the little leaguer who just made his very first touchdown, to the elated golfer who made that hole-in-one. So when you're covering an event, remember to look for the emotion too, be creative, you'll get some phenomenal results.

Whichever sport you're covering, to make your product salable, try to photograph the most well known athletes. People want to see who and what they know. That's not to say you should ignore a terrific shot just because it's being made by a less known player, use common sense. Another smart approach is to go off the field on occasion. The atmosphere in the baseball dugout can be the perfect environment for some priceless images.

Finally, give added emphasis with a good description of the photograph. If you're not a writer, consider taking a basic writing class at a local community college. This will help give you're photographs a creative edge.

About the Author

Suzanne VanDeGrift has developed this article for M-ROCK.com, manufacturer of feature packed and functional digital camera bags.