The Rush of Sports Photography

There's nothing like freezing a batsman's perfect cover drive or a marathon runner's finish-line emotion. After covering corporate sports days, college tournaments, and running events across Delhi NCR, I've developed a system that works.

Gear That Survives Delhi Conditions

The Reality of Outdoor Shoots Here

Delhi's weather is extreme. 45°C summers. Dense winter fog. Dust everywhere. Your gear needs to handle it:

**My Primary Setup**:

Sony A7 IV for reliability and fast autofocus

Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 GM II (lives on the camera for 80% of sports)

Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 for wider team shots and reactions

**Essential Protection**:

Rain covers (monsoon tournaments happen!)

Lens cloths for constant dust wiping

Extra batteries—cold mornings drain them faster

Indoor Sports Challenges

Corporate badminton tournaments in Gurgaon gyms? College basketball in poorly-lit halls? You need:

Fast lenses (f/2.8 minimum)

Comfort with ISO 3200-6400

Understanding that some grain is acceptable for the shot

Positioning Strategies for Common Delhi Events

Corporate Cricket Tournaments

These are huge in Gurgaon's tech sector. My positioning approach:

**First Session**: Behind the bowler for batting action shots and clean backgrounds.

**Boundaries**: Station yourself where catches are likely—everyone wants their diving catch immortalized.

**Award Ceremonies**: Get low, shoot upward for that heroic feeling.

Running Events (Airtel Delhi Half Marathon, etc.)

**Start Line**: Arrive 2 hours early. Position at a 45-degree angle to capture both elite runners and crowd energy.

**Mile Markers**: The struggle is real and authentic around km 15-18.

**Finish Line**: This is where heroes are made. Use burst mode generously.

College Sports Meets

Often in Noida or South Delhi colleges. The light is usually terrible, but the energy is incredible:

Scout the venue beforehand if possible

Identify the best-lit areas and position there

Focus on peak action moments and genuine celebrations

Camera Settings That Work

Outdoor Daylight

Shutter Priority: 1/2000s for cricket, 1/1000s for running

Aperture: f/4-5.6 (enough depth of field for moving subjects)

Auto ISO with ceiling at 1600

Indoor/Evening

Manual mode

f/2.8 wide open

1/500s minimum (accept some motion blur over camera shake)

ISO as needed (often 3200-6400)

The Moment That Matters

Sports photography isn't about gear or settings—it's about anticipation. When you've watched enough cricket, you know when a bowler is about to get hit for six. When you've shot enough marathons, you recognize the runner who's about to break emotionally.

That anticipation comes from studying the sport and paying attention to patterns. At a recent Gurgaon corporate tournament, I predicted a crucial catch simply by watching how the batsman was playing. Camera up, burst mode on, and I got the shot that ended up on their office wall.

The technical stuff matters, but understanding the game matters more.

Behind the Scenes: Shooting Sports in Delhi NCR