Fans who aren't able to make a game or match in person often watch their favorite sports teams perform on television. The cameramen that shoot sporting events have a direct impact on the quality of the footage that is broadcast to fans.

Working as a sports cameraman can be challenging, but there are a few things that you can do to help make the experience a positive one for both you and the fans.

1. Carry a Cheat Sheet

It is inevitable that you will be called upon to shoot a sport that you aren't familiar with at some point during your career.

When you aren't familiar with the star players on either team, it can be a lot more challenging to capture important moments on film. Print out a cheat sheet that shows the photographs and numbers of each integral player.

Having this cheat sheet with you while you are filming allows you to easily focus on the players that an announcer is talking about or a director wants to feature in any given segment.

2. Study the Sport

It can be extremely helpful to have a solid understanding of the sport you are being asked to film. Some sports, like baseball or hockey, feature fast-moving objects that can be challenging to capture on film.

If you understand the rules of baseball, you will be able to better determine where you need to point your camera in order to record important plays.

Studying the movement of a hockey puck in various situations can help you anticipate where the puck will move when a shot is taken.

The more you study each sport you are interested in shooting as a cameraman, the better prepared you will be to film each and every essential play.

3. Master All Camera Functions

As technology continues to evolve, sports cameramen must be able to operate increasingly more complex pieces of equipment. You should take the time to become familiar with all of the functions featured on your camera.

Since the pace of a sporting event moves quickly, you must instinctively be able to switch between a wide-angle shot, a macro shot, and a slow-motion shot.

Hone your instincts by practicing at home until you master all of the functions that make modern cameras integral to comprehensive television sports coverage.

The best cameramen can make a great living working at sporting events.

Familiarize yourself with some of the tips that can help make your camerawork more efficient to bolster your own sports cameraman career.

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