Rugby is one of my favourite sports to photograph due to the impact, pace, and emotion that can be captured unlike any other sport.
I have been photographing rugby for around 5 years, starting with my younger brother’s academy games at Bromley RFC.
This year, I had the fortunate opportunity to work with Medway RFC as their photographer, following the 1st XV for the second half of their 2022/2023 season.
Medway RFC competed in the Regional 1 South league, providing great opportunities to photograph high-level rugby without the formalities of higher levels. Being pitch side and having the freedom to follow the action were significant advantages. The only formality I encountered last season was some clubs charging a fee for access.
What equipment do you need?
To capture the best photos, you will want a DSLR or Mirrorless camera.
If you don’t currently have a DSLR or mirrorless camera, one factor to consider is the number of frames per second the camera can take. For example, my camera of choice is the Canon 1DX Mark II, which can capture 14 frames per second.
Another important factor to consider is the number of megapixels the camera has. A higher megapixel count allows for more retained quality when cropping your pictures. This is something I personally wish I had more of with my Canon 1DX Mark II.
The last factor to consider is the sensor size. Is the camera equipped with a cropped sensor or a full-frame sensor?
A cropped sensor increases the effective focal length of your lenses by a factor of 1.6x. For example, a 100mm lens on a crop sensor would appear as 160mm. This can be advantageous for reaching subjects at a further distance.
A full-frame sensor, on the other hand, doesn’t increase the lens size, but it allows more light to enter the sensor. This enables higher shutter speeds and better performance in low-light situations.
What lens do you need?
There are various lenses available on the market, making it difficult to choose the right one. However, if I had to recommend a lens for rugby photography, I would highly recommend a 70-200mm lens. It offers versatility for capturing both close-up moments such as tries and lineouts at 70mm, as well as longer shots from a distance at 200mm. When using the 70-200mm lens, I like to follow the play.
Personally, when photographing rugby, I use two lenses: the Sigma 300mm F2.8 and the Canon 70-200mm F2.8. Occasionally, I use a 1.4x extender with my Sigma 300mm lens to achieve additional distance, but I plan to eventually acquire a 400mm F2.8 lens.
Do you need any other equipment?
When using lenses larger than 200mm, I would recommend a monopod to provide stability. Currently, I use the Sirui AM-326M carbon monopod.
Another piece of equipment I always carry at rugby games is a collapsible stool. This allows me to shoot from a more dramatic angle and create a cleaner background, without players and grass cluttering the frame.
What camera settings should you use?
For rugby photography, I recommend learning to shoot in manual mode, despite the initial difficulty. Once you become comfortable shooting in manual, you’ll reap the rewards.
When shooting in manual, there are three settings to focus on:
Shutter speed: Set a high shutter speed to freeze the action, typically higher than 1/1000th of a second.
F-stop: Open your lens as wide as possible (lowest f-number) to achieve a shallow depth of field and allow more light, which enables higher shutter speeds.
ISO: Personally, I manually set my ISO, but many photographers prefer using auto ISO. When manually setting your ISO, ensure you balance the exposure accordingly.
Additionally, shoot in RAW format instead of JPEG. RAW files allow for greater flexibility in post-processing, especially for recovering underexposed images in Lightroom.
For focusing, I use back-button autofocus, which gives me control over what I’m focusing on. Alongside back-button autofocus, I utilize single-point autofocus and adjust its position throughout the game.
Regarding white balance, I usually set it to auto. If necessary, I correct it in Lightroom during the editing process.
Please note that these settings will vary based on circumstances and may require adjustments. They provide a good starting point to work from.
Where should you position yourself?
Positioning is crucial in photographing any sport, including rugby. Here are three positions I use in every game:
End of the try zone: This is my preferred position. I set up my collapsible stool with my 300mm F2.8 lens on a monopod here.
Side of the 22-meter line: This position offers excellent photo opportunities. Like at the try zone, I set up my collapsible stool with my 300mm F2.8 lens on a monopod.
Run and gun: Who doesn’t love a run and gun approach? For this, I use my 70-200mm F2.8 lens, following the gameplay. Even when running and gunning, I try to maintain a lower shooting angle for dynamic shots up close.
Predicting play is essential when positioning yourself at the try zone or the 22-meter line. Understanding a team’s patterns of play after photographing them for a few games allows you to anticipate key moments during the game.
How do you get started photographing rugby?
Just go for it! Nothing beats practice.
Simply search for your local rugby club on Google and find out when their next home fixture is. Turn up and start photographing.
One thing to note is that you might need to check if the club has any specific rules. I experienced this last season when I wasn’t allowed pitchside because I didn’t have rugby boots. The club I was photographing at had a 4G pitch that only permitted individuals with rugby boots to access the pitch.
If you have any questions or if I can assist in any way, feel free to contact me. I’m always willing to provide advice where I can.