Sports Photography

(ART 209)

This course will cover the basic principles involved in capturing compelling sports images. Subject areas include timing, camera settings, lighting, software, and the techniques of capturing the emotion and drama in everyday sport. Students will learn the camera settings necessary to capture peak action and deal with difficult lighting situations. They will also learn the basics of lighting a sports portrait with a hands-on portrait shoot in class. Guest speakers will include Bay Area professionals who will discuss their experiences covering major sporting events, and the tools they use to capture dramatic sports images. Students will be encouraged to produce action images each week for review, and the class will produce an online portfolio as a final project. Last but not least, the class will take excursions to venues where students can practice sports photography in real time.

Students should own a 35 mm digital camera, or have access to one, to take full advantage of this course. Students should expect to pay a nominal entry fee for weekend field trips.

In-class sessions: 5 Wednesdays, 7 - 8:50 pm, September 23, 30, October 14, 28, and November 18

Off-site photo shoots: September 26, 9:00 am - 12:00 pm, October 7, 5:00 - 10:00 pm, October 17, 12:30 - 3:00 pm, and November 14, 9:00 am - 12:00 pm

John Todd, Photographer

John Todd has been the team photographer for Major League Soccer’s San Jose Earthquakes since the team’s inception in 1996. He also owns and operates International Sports Images, the official photography supplier to the US Men’s and Women’s soccer teams, UC Berkeley, and the Mavericks Surf Contest. Todd's work has appeared in Sports Illustrated, ESPN The Magazine, Time, and The New York Times, and has been displayed at the Smithsonian Institution. For more information on his work, please visit www.johntodd.com.