Swimming is a challenging sport to cover. Held indoors under usually dim lighting, with the added difficulty of constant splashing, the photographer is challenged to find the swimmer’s face and freeze the motion. The photographer needs to think more conceptually in some cases to find the best images. The techniques can vary based on stroke.
Backstroke: Waiting for the start
Backstroke actually has an advantage in the pool – the swimmer is face up, with light falling directly on their face and usually swimming at a slower pace. However, a great photograph can be found at the start – with the swimmers anticipating the start. There’s great repetition that helps frame and isolate my subject.
Butterfly: In Full Flight
The strongest swimmers of the butterfly project themselves fully out of the water – and in that moment they pause perfectly. Time your shot well and you get them clear of the water with very little splashing.
Breast Stroke: Pop Up Photo
Like butterfly, the strongest swimmers in the breast stroke pop up well clear of the surface of the water for a big breath. The strength of the swimmers changes a lot between junior high and high school so this image is stronger in high school.
Freestyle and Relays: On the Block
Shorter distance freestyle races (and relays) mean a lot of splashing. Depending on the swimmer, especially at lower levels, they may be biased towards breathing only to one side. This severely limits the ability to get a clean photograph. Waiting on the block is usually the cleanest photograph you can get – and you get a lot of intensity in the eyes and face.