Top 10 Tips (with Bonus) for Shooting Swimming with SI's Peter Read Miller

Have you ever wanted to photograph swimming? Peter Read Miller offers invaluable tips on shooting the sport, from showing up to the individual breast, free, back and butterfly strokes. He'll cover what to bring to where to stand, who to talk to and how to plan

Peter Read Miller has been photographing athletes, events and the sporting life for more than 40 years. He is has worked as a staff and contract photographer for Sports Illustrated for more than 35 years. His images have appeared on over 100 Sports Illustrated covers.

His editorial clients have included: Time, Life, People, Money, The Associated Press, Playboy, Runner’s World, Newsweek, USA Weekend and The New York Times. In addition to covering 9 Olympic Games and 40 Super Bowls, Peter has shot 14 NBA Finals. He has covered the Stanley Cup Finals, the World Series, the Kentucky Derby, the NCAA Basketball Final Four, and the Men’s and Women’s World Cup Soccer Finals.

Click here to view Peter's book: On Sports Photography

[whatmeworry]

Getting ready to do my first diving assignment. Found helpful tips here. Thanks

[BruceLeroyUK]

9:31. Intern: “Sorry!"
Peter: "You’re fired"

[tedk]

Where I live in Florida, there is a large aquatic center which is well used by high schools and even some northern college swimming teams come here during the winter to practice. I am going to get a listing of the coming events and hopefully permission to shoot. Thanks so much for putting together these videos....

[mikaangeline]

wow, Mr. Miller...very nice photos, amazing indeed...subscribed. love your photos.

[johnsudbrink]

Peter, more great information, the tips and tricks you provide are really awesome and they help me strive to not only be a better sports photographer but to push the bounds and search for the angles and seek the light at every event I cover. So thank you for taking the time to help and mentor those aspiring sports photogs striving to be better at what we all love to do. For those that haven't taken or been to one of Peter's workshops, if you get the opportunity to go, "GO" the level of information and hands on mentorship you get from him and his team of speakers IMO no text book, will give you. You just have to go, I did back in 2012 in Denver, and my images, my workflow, how I see backgrounds and what I see and look for to prepare for high school, college, and most recently this year at an LPGA event help me to not just "take frames" but "make frames" and be different. Thanks again Peter and always looking forward to the next episode..

[Eagle]

Thanks Peter for providing such great information!

[cesarkastoun]

Good tips. Loved some of the start photos, as well as the reaction shots. One thing to add might be to play a bit with slower shutter speeds. It's mostly trial and error though.

[tassovarvarikos]

I really appreciate the tips ... Thank you!

[joshdafoe]

Another great video. I'd love for you to do one on shooting indoor sports, basketball, volleyball, etc. Keep up the great work, hope to make it to one of your classes someday.

[andrzejoscilowicz]

with so many fake photographers, it's fresh air to see and hear a real phtographer.

[michelezurick]

Any suggestions for shooting a swimmer (butterfly) into sun, I’ve tried compensation but swimmer still too dark. Maybe a filter ? Tried spot meeting, not sure why I did that. Regardless, it didn’t help. . I did use many of your tips in this video. It helped so much. Thank you.

[YM-Captin]

Thank you for this great information, but I still want to know what is the best setting for my camera ? I will use a Canon full frame 6D with 70-200 2.8. I also have a 2x extender which could make it 140-400 but I think this is too long specially for short photos as I only have one camera. What do you think about the proper setting ??

[boostedmaniac]

I think the best angle for backstroke is similar to freestyle, shooting it from the side.

[chelostgo]

Thanks for the tips, as my daughter is on a swimming team this will come very helpful. What you recommend for a starting shot of swimmers at small ages less than 14 years as they start not so in sync as the college guys do?

[chelostgo]

On Canon what focus mode setting would you recommend for each different styles of swimming? For example for breast stroke where the swimmer is constantly going in and out of the water. For synchronized swimming would you rather have a more wide view of the whole group or focus on a particular sugject?

[gburgMD]

Peter love your videos. I'm a subscriber. But a 400 or 600 lens? Come on. Most of us are shooting our kids or working for a high school. What about practical advice with a 70-200? Some day if I shoot for SI, then they can buy me an $11, 000 lens.