3 Tips for Shooting Sports Videography Like a Pro

Sports videography is an art that requires precision, adaptability, and a keen eye for storytelling. Whether you're filming a high-energy basketball game, a football match under the lights, or an intense wrestling meet, your approach can make all the difference between an average highlight reel and a cinematic masterpiece. Here are three essential tips to elevate your sports videography game:

1. Pick a High Frame Rate – 120fps is Your Best Friend

Fast-paced sports can be chaotic, making slow motion one of your greatest assets. Shooting at a high frame rate, like 120 frames per second (fps), gives you the luxury of slowing down your footage for smooth, detailed motion that immerses viewers in the action. A crisp slow-motion replay of a dunk, a diving catch, or a buzzer-beater can turn an ordinary clip into an unforgettable moment.

Key Camera Settings to Keep in Mind:

• Shutter Speed – Follow the 180-degree rule: set your shutter speed to double your frame rate (e.g., 1/240 for 120fps) to maintain natural motion blur.

• Aperture & ISO – Adjust based on lighting conditions to ensure a well-exposed image while keeping a shallow depth of field if desired.

• Resolution – Many cameras offer 120fps in 1080p rather than 4K. Prioritize frame rate over resolution if smooth slow-motion is your goal.

By optimizing your settings before the action starts, you’ll capture cleaner, more dynamic footage that gives you greater flexibility in post-production.

2. Manually Set Your White Balance and ISO – Control Your Environment

One of the easiest ways to ruin a shot before you even hit record is relying on auto white balance and ISO. Lighting conditions in sports vary drastically – an indoor gymnasium has a completely different color temperature than a football field under stadium lights. If you let your camera decide on these settings automatically, you may end up with inconsistent footage that’s difficult to correct in post.

Pro Tip:

• Dial in Your White Balance – Set it manually to match the environment rather than relying on auto adjustments, which can shift unpredictably during a game.

• Adjust ISO Manually – Keeping full control over ISO settings reduces unnecessary noise and ensures a consistent look throughout your footage.

• Save Custom Presets – If you frequently shoot in the same location (e.g., a basketball gym), save your settings so you can quickly switch to them without wasting time.

  
  

Taking a few extra seconds to set these manually before the game will save you hours of color correction later.

3. Come in With a Shot List – Plan Your Attack

One of the biggest mistakes new sports videographers make is trying to capture everything. You don’t need to film every pass, every shot, or every play. Instead, focus on capturing emotion and energy rather than just the action itself.

How to Approach It:

• Plan Your Shots – Before the game, create a shot list or a vision board of the footage you want. Are you going for an emotional pregame speech? Do you want tight close-ups of intense facial expressions? How about slow-motion celebration shots?

• Let the Music Inspire You – If you have a specific song in mind for the final edit, listen to it while filming. The rhythm, beats, and vibe can help guide your shots.

• Take the Time to Get Unique Shots – Don’t be afraid to step into a huddle, shoot from the locker room, or capture reactions on the bench. These moments tell a more compelling story than just gameplay highlights.

The Reality of Sports Videography:

You’ll inevitably miss a big play at some point – a dunk, a touchdown, or a crucial goal. But guess what? So will a dozen other videographers standing next to you. Instead of stressing over capturing the perfect action shot, focus on capturing what others miss – the raw emotion, the intensity, the moments between plays. Feeling is everything.

Final Thoughts

Great sports videography isn’t just about filming what happens on the field; it’s about telling a story. With these three tips—shooting at 120fps, manually setting white balance & ISO, and coming in with a plan—you’ll capture not just the game but the heart, energy, and passion that make sports so powerful.

Ready to level up your sports videography? Let Ryan Glass Productions help bring your vision to life. Contact us today to discuss your next project!