📸 As a sports photographer, capturing the perfect shot within a fast-paced environment can be incredibly difficult. Between movement, lighting, and other variables, there can be a myriad of obstacles that a photographer must overcome to shoot quality sports imagery. Fortunately, post-processing is a method that can help you drastically improve the quality and value of your sports photography. In this post, we will explore some of the most critical ways that you can elevate your sports photography through the use of post-processing.

Shooting in RAW Format and Basic Editing

🎬 Shooting in RAW and editing your photos in post-processing can guarantee that the final image qualities are the best they can be. In RAW, the camera saves the actual image data in an unprocessed form, so post-processing software can access everything. This increases the camera’s dynamic range, which photos captured in JPEG cannot handle. Adjustments can be done that are more comprehensive with the inclusion of RAW format images.

⏰ Editing pictures can at times appear time-consuming and mundane. However, if you consistently edit your images, the process will become natural, and you will understand and appreciate how even the most basic adjustments can positively impact an image.

A before and after image of a basketball player with just brightness and contrast adjustments.

Specialized Sports Photography Techniques in Post-Processing

👀 Sports photography has it’s aesthetic and feels that are unique in themselves. A few adjustments to photography styles and genre will support enhancing images taken on a sports field.

🔳 Selective colorization or using a red filter can help you make your imagery look more dramatic and captivating. However, colorization should be done thoughtfully, as these effects can have mixed responses from viewers.

🖤 A classic black and white image with the right treatment can establish an amazing vibe that can help capture the emotions of a sporting moment.

A soccer match is captured in a striking black and white image that exudes emotion and intensity.

The Magic of Retouching

✨ Even the best sports photographers can end up with images that need fixing. Retouching can fix small issues like dust on the lens, color correction, and image sharpening or change positive changes like facial appearances.

💻 When starting with retouching, it is better to start with a frequency separation technique, masking layers, and various other customized tools.

Before and after image showcasing image retouching and color correction on a portrait of a basketball player

Presets for Speedy Editing

🚀 If you are working various deadlines, it’s essential to have an efficient post-processing workflow. Presets are saved editing settings that shorten the time it takes to edit an image by automating the editing process.

💼 In Lightroom, you even have the option to create your presets that you can use and reuse in various sports photography scenarios.

A comparison of a group of athletes ski jumping edited manually and through the use of a preset

Final Thoughts

🏆 Sports photography is about capturing the moment and the emotions that come with it. Post-processing can help you bring out the best of those moments captured by your lens and bring life to them. As you research and practice post-processing techniques, you will become more confident with your images’ final look and overall aesthetic. Remember that no image is finished without post-processing.

🏅 “Helping you take your sports photography to the next level post-production style” 🏅

A young soccer player kicking a ball on a sunny day with a post-processed filter