Shoot the summer of sports

Have the Olympics and Euros inspired you to photograph sport? Mike Harris shows you how to score a portfolio of top shots

- Mike Harris

Back on 25 May 1965: WBC Heavyweight Champion Muhammad Ali beats his chest as he stands over a KO’d Sonny Liston during a controversial rematch. 22 June 1986: Argentine forward Diego Maradona leaps above England goalkeeper Peter Shilton and uses ‘the hand of God’ to tap the ball into the net, helping to secure a 2-1 quarter final World Cup victory. 16 August 2008: Usain Bolt forever changes the world of sprinting by celebrating prematurely and still smashing the 100m world record to claim his first Olympic gold in Beijing.

These are three of the most famous sporting moments, and they all have one thing in common. Photographers were ringside, pitchside and trackside to immortalize the athletes in sporting history. As you read this, a whole host of major international sporting events will be taking place or about to happen imminently, including the Euros, Copa América and, of course, the Olympics. Hundreds of photographers will be descending upon sporting venues across the world to capture moments of elation, despair and maybe a moment that will enter the annals of sporting legend.

Perhaps more so than any other genre, sports photography presents a veritable melting pot of valuable tips, techniques and gear. Each and every type of sport presents its own set of challenges. Read on to find out why some professionals set up remote cameras, how you can customize your Nikon so you never miss a moment and why a sports photographer’s number one purpose is to tell a story to their audience.

Sports locker

While you should never let a lack of camera equipment stand in your way, it's worth saving up for these sports photography essentials...

1 THE LONG AND SHORT OF IT