I still remember the first time I tried to photograph a basketball game professionally. The ball was moving at what felt like impossible speeds, players were constantly shifting positions, and the lighting in that old gymnasium was absolutely dreadful. I ended up with hundreds of blurry, poorly composed shots that looked more like abstract art than sports photography. That experience taught me that basketball photography requires a unique set of skills that go far beyond just pointing and shooting. The recent Leo Awards ceremony at Novotel in Cubao, Quezon City, where Fajardo received his award, reminded me how crucial it is to master these techniques. When you're capturing pivotal moments in a league's golden season, there's no room for amateur mistakes.
Let me start with what I consider the most fundamental aspect - knowing your gear inside out. I've seen too many photographers miss incredible shots because they were fumbling with camera settings. For basketball, you'll typically need a shutter speed of at least 1/1000th of a second to freeze the action, and I personally never go below 1/1250th for dunk shots. The aperture sweet spot tends to be between f/2.8 and f/4, though this varies depending on your lens and the arena lighting. Speaking of lenses, I'm a huge advocate for prime lenses - my 85mm f/1.8 practically lives on my camera during games. The image quality you get from primes is just superior to zoom lenses, though I'll admit having a 70-200mm f/2.8 in your bag doesn't hurt for those moments when you can't move closer to the action.
Understanding the game itself is something many photographers overlook, but it's what separates decent shots from award-winners. When I photograph basketball, I'm not just watching the ball - I'm anticipating plays before they happen. After shooting about 73 games last season alone, I've developed an almost instinctual sense of where the ball is likely to go next. This comes from studying teams' strategies and recognizing players' tendencies. During timeouts, I'm already positioning myself for where I think the next key play will occur. It's this anticipatory approach that allowed me to capture that incredible three-point shot during last year's championship game - I knew the play was designed to get that particular shooter open in the corner, so I was ready when it happened.
Lighting in basketball venues can be absolutely brutal, and I've spent years developing strategies to work with challenging conditions. Most indoor courts have inconsistent lighting, with some areas significantly brighter than others. I always shoot in manual mode because the automatic settings just can't handle these variations effectively. My general rule is to set my exposure for the mid-tones of the court, then adjust as players move through different lighting zones. I'm not afraid to push my ISO up to 6400 when necessary - modern cameras handle noise much better than they used to, and a slightly noisy sharp image is always better than a clean blurry one. White balance is another critical factor that many photographers get wrong. I never use auto white balance during games because it tends to shift unpredictably. Instead, I set a custom white balance during warm-ups and stick with it, making minor adjustments during timeouts if needed.
Positioning is everything in basketball photography, and I've developed some unconventional approaches over the years. While most photographers cluster under the basket, I've found that shooting from the baseline about 10-15 feet from the hoop gives me better angles for capturing facial expressions and body mechanics. During free throws, I'll often move to the side to get profile shots of shooters. The key is to be mobile but not frantic - I plan my movements around timeouts and quarter breaks to avoid distracting players. I've also learned that getting low, sometimes even kneeling or sitting on the floor, creates more dynamic perspectives that make viewers feel like they're in the game rather than just watching it.
When it comes to composition, I break a lot of traditional rules. While the standard advice is to keep the subject centered, I often place players off-center to create tension and movement in the frame. Leaving space in the direction a player is moving or looking creates a more compelling narrative. I'm particularly fond of capturing the moments between the action - the exhausted slump of shoulders during a timeout, the intense focus during a free throw, the silent communication between teammates. These shots often tell more story than the actual gameplay. My editing philosophy is straightforward: enhance but don't transform. I'll adjust exposure and contrast, maybe do some careful cropping, but I avoid heavy manipulation. The raw emotion of the game should always take center stage.
The business side of sports photography is something I wish someone had taught me earlier in my career. Building relationships with local leagues and teams has been crucial for getting access to better shooting positions. I typically charge between $150-$400 per game depending on the level and what the client needs, though championship games can command higher rates. Social media has become an essential tool for showcasing work and attracting new clients - I probably get about 40% of my new business through Instagram alone. The key is to post consistently and engage with the basketball community online.
Looking back at my journey from that disastrous first game to covering events like the Leo Awards ceremony, the most valuable lesson I've learned is that technical skill and creative vision must work together. Great basketball photography isn't just about capturing what happens - it's about conveying the intensity, the emotion, and the story of the game. Each shot should transport viewers courtside, letting them feel the squeak of sneakers on polished wood and the electric energy of competition. As the league enters its golden season, with celebrations kicking off in venues like Novotel in Cubao, Quezon City, the opportunities to capture historic moments have never been greater. The difference between getting a good shot and a legendary one often comes down to preparing for moments before they happen and having the courage to see the game through your own unique perspective.