Sports Photography Made Easy

Kids are suiting up for sports. And whether they win or lose, it's nice for parents to have a few pictures of their kids in action playing football, soccer, field hockey or hoops. A few tricks of the trade can help those parents capture the action shots like professional photographers.

Photographer Jill Enfield of TakeGreatPictures.com brings some pointers to The Saturday Early Show.

Enfield has five basic tips for taking good sports photos of kids in action. She says anyone can do it without using any special equipment.

Use A Fast Film

Parents don't necessarily have to use a flash when shooting an indoor sport. Using a fast film (800-speed) will prevent red-eye and will avoid harsh shadows on the athletes.

Get Close

Sometimes, a sports arena can be so large that parents are too far away from the action to get a good shot. Enfield advises moving closer to the GAME. Parents wanting to get a photo that will bring back good memories should show up for the game early, pick a seat carefully, and be bold - stake claim to a spot on the sidelines.

Capture the Action

To really capture the action, photographers need to use a fast shutter speed on their cameras. With a point-and-shoot 35-mm camera, using a fast film will keep the shutter speed fast and stop the motion.

Sometimes "blurry" can be good because it suggests motion. So, photographers should be willing to experiment. Enfield says parents should give themselves an assignment to try a different film speed at several games during the season. Photographers should not be afraid to make mistakes.

Capture the Moment

During the game, Enfield suggests photographers to look for the moment when a child makes the big catch or scores that point. But she also suggests parents pay attention to what's happening even when the game isn't being played. What is the interaction between players and coaches? What's happening in the stands? Is a mascot performing a funny trick? Just by looking around, you can often catch some wonderful moments - and those pictures may be treasured by children in years to come.

Take Portraits

You can take some wonderful informal portraits, with or without teammates. Enfield says it can be at a game, or on the playground, or in the backyard. Parents should shoot a picture that tells a story. Even slightly embarrassing shots make for great memories.

Enfield has taught at Parsons School of Design, New York University, The Fashion Institute of Technology, the International Center for Photography, as well as The Disney Institute and numerous photography workshops in the U.S. and Italy. Her work has appeared in National Geographic, Life and Popular Photography. She is also the author of the book, "Photo Imaging."