Sports can push physical and mental boundaries. From the field to the water, they offer the chance to capture both fast action and quiet emotion all in one setting. Here are some tips to try next time you find yourself photographing from the sidelines.

The best photos can happen outside of competition. Getting in early and staying late creates the opportunity to capture moments that illustrate the most human elements of sports. Warm up stretches, tailgates, and slow walks back to the locker room all tell stories beyond the final whistle. Try to capture the quiet moments and details that add depth to final scores and results.

The most defining moments in sports are often only split seconds. It always helps to get to know the sport you’re photographing. Try to try frame shots where you think you can catch a key moment or use pockets of nice light to guide your composition. You don’t always have to ‘freeze’ action, try experimenting with a slow shutter to create blur and emphasize motion.

Getting in close or taking a step back can reveal new perspectives. Try to see what patterns you can reveal with a new point of view or unusual composition. Use a bird’s-eye view to transform entire teams into dots on a field, while a closer look at a sideline can lead to a geometric abstraction.