Best Camera Settings To Record A Sports Event
Recoding a sporting event can be very difficult especially if we are talking about a sport like horse racing where everything happens in 2 minutes.
As a result, most of us get blurry and shaky video that is literally unwatchable. But this is not because you’ve caught the wrong angles, instead of you not using the proper camera settings.
Recording a sporting event isn’t as simple as grabbing your camera or phone and hitting the record button. There are some things you need to set first in order to have a smooth, stabilized, and decent video.
So, whether you are recording your kid’s soccer game, or trying to capture a clutch moment on a basketball match, here are the best camera settings to use just so you can get the best results.
Start with the Basics: Shutter Speed, Aperture, and ISO
You don’t have to be a professional photographer to understand these basic settings that play a huge role in how your video looks.
There are three things you need to worry about before hitting the record button, such as:
- Shutter Speed
- Aperture
- ISO
Let’s analyze them one by one.
Shutter Speed
Shutter speed plays an important role in recording sporting events, especially when there is fast action. A fast shutter speed freezes motion, which will give you crisp and clear footage.
For most sports, a shutter speed of 1/500th of a second or faster is perfect. But it all depends on how fast the action is happening. If we are talking horse racing, you need a higher shutter speed, and filming something slower like a marathon can be done with 1/250th of a second.
Let’s say you’ve made a bet on TwinSpires following their top picks, and you want to record your horse winning the race. Well, aim for a higher shutter speed just to be able to have a smooth motion.
But there is one thing that most people forget. A faster shutter speed means that less light enters your camera, which is where ISO comes in handy.
But here’s the catch: the faster your shutter speed, the less light enters your camera. That’s where aperture and ISO come in.
Aperture
Aperture controls the light that enters your camera lens. For recording sports, you’d want to pick a wide aperture (a low f-stop number, like f/2.8 or f/4) just to ensure that enough light comes through the lens and your footage looks bright and sharp.
But it all comes down to your weather conditions and atmosphere. If you are filming on a bright sunny day, the aperture might let in too much light, which will eventually cause overexposure.
ISO
Lastly, we have ISO, which determines how sensitive your camera is to light. Low ISO (like 100 or 200) is great for bright conditions, while higher ISO (like 800 to 1600) is better for low-light situations.
For outdoor sports, start with an ISO of 100 and adjust as needed. For indoor sports, you might need to bump it up to 800 or higher, depending on the lighting.
Frame Rate
Frame rate is how many frames per second (fps) your camera records. The higher the frame rate, the smoother your footage will look, especially for quick sports.
- 24 fps: This is the standard for cinematic footage, but it’s not perfect for sports. Fast movements can look choppy.
- 30 fps: A good middle ground for most sports. It’s smooth enough for action but still looks natural.
- 60 fps or higher: Perfect for capturing fast movements in detail. If you’re filming something like basketball or soccer, 60 fps will give you buttery-smooth slow-motion replays.
Pro Tip: If you’re planning to slow down your footage in post-production, shoot at 60 fps or higher. This will give you more frames to work with, ensuring your slow-motion looks smooth and not jerky.
Autofocus contra. Codex Focus
Sports are unpredictable, and keeping your subject in focus can feel like herding cats. Most modern cameras have excellent autofocus systems, but they’re not perfect.
- Autofocus: Use continuous autofocus (AF-C or AI Servo) to track moving subjects. This mode adjusts focus as your subject moves, which is crucial for sports.
- Manual Focus: If your camera struggles with autofocus, or if you’re filming a predictable movement (like a runner on a track), manual focus can give you more control.
White Balance
White balance ensures that the colors in your footage look natural. Most cameras have automatic white balance, but it’s not always accurate, especially under stadium lights or in changing outdoor conditions.
- Preset Modes: Use the “Daylight” setting for outdoor sports and “Tungsten” or “Fluorescent” for indoor events.
- Custom White Balance: For the most accurate colors, set a custom white balance using a white or gray card.
Stabilization: Keep It Steady
Shaky footage is the enemy of sports videography. Even if you’re using a tripod, fast movements can still cause jitters. Here’s how to keep your footage smooth:
- In-Camera Stabilization: Many cameras and lenses have built-in stabilization to reduce shake. Turn it on.
- Gimbals: For handheld shooting, a gimbal can work wonders. It keeps your camera steady even as you move.
- Post-Production Stabilization: If your footage is still shaky, you can stabilize it using editing software like Adobe Premiere Pro or Final Cut Pro.
Audio
Great visuals are nothing without great audio. While most cameras have built-in microphones, they’re not perfect for capturing the sounds of a sports event.
- External Microphone: Use a directional microphone to capture the sounds of the game, like the crack of a bat or the roar of the crowd.
- Wind Protection: If you’re filming outdoors, use a windscreen to reduce wind noise.
Final Words
These are all the camera settings you need to know about in order to record the perfect sports video. Basically, it all comes down to how smooth the video is and the light balance. If you master these two things, you’ll be able to record some great scenes.
