Sports photography: tips for setting up your camera to shoot anything

When shooting sports photography and fast-moving action, you don't have time to change many settings or worry about which mode you're in. There are several basic settings, such as the autofocus, exposure and drive modes, that can be set up before you start shooting, but there are also other settings that can transform your hit rate.

Best camera settings for sports photography

The first is to change the AE/AF-lock button on the back of the camera so it activates the autofocus. This means instead of having to press the shutter release to activate the autofocus, you press the AE-L/AF-L button.

This makes it much easier to track moving subjects, pressing the shutter only when you want to take photos.

Read more from our Olympic sports photography series

Panning: how the pros capture motion and the best shutter speeds to use
The best lenses for sports photography (and ideal focal lengths to use)
Shoot sharper sports photography: pro techniques and the settings they use
10 burning questions even pro sports photographers still ask themselves
5 great tricks to enhance your sports photography skills

The other camera setting to use is the autofocus area. Opt for Dynamic Area AF mode, where you choose one AF point, but the camera will also use the focus points around that if it detects the subject has moved (learn more about how to choose the best AF mode).

This is perfect for any sport such as cycling, running or motorsports, where you can predict the basic movement of the subject. On the next page our step-by-step guide shows you how to set up your camera to shoot any fast moving subject.

NEXT PAGE: Step-by-step how to set up your camera for sports photography

READ MORE

Olympic Photography: the rules and how to beat them
Free action photography cheat sheet
How to fake perfect panning photos
10 tips for taking striking soccer pictures

Latest in Photography
Nikon Z6 III camera in the hand with no lens attached and full-frame sensor on display
What's the best camera sensor format? You told us your clear favorite – here's why it's not that simple
Lunar eclipse
I'm a pro photographer – here's how I'm shooting the total lunar eclipse blood moon with my camera and phone
A young man takes a portrait photo with a DSLR.
Sell Smart: Quick, easy, and secure camera gear solutions with MPB
Shooting with a Samsung Galaxy Ultra smartphone
I shot and edited this photo with my Samsung Galaxy Ultra and Adobe Lightroom Mobile – here's how you can get pro results with just your phone
A hand holding the Ricoh GR IIIx camera
My photography resolution for 2025 is to keep a point-and-shoot compact in my pocket, and to actually use it!
Two photos of a girl behind a window, one with reflections removed with Photoshop
Photoshop gets the next big thing in AI photography – a tool that makes your unwanted reflections vanish
Latest in How Tos
ChatGPT Voice mode
​​Siri sucks, here’s how to add ChatGPT or Gemini voice mode to your Action button on iPhone instead
Marlow Murder Club S2
How to watch Marlow Murder Club season 2 online — stream now
Leaving Neverland 2: Surviving Michael Jackson
How to watch Leaving Neverland 2: Surviving Michael Jackson online and from anywhere, start time
Keith Hunter Jesperson (Dennis Quaid) sits opposite his daughter Melissa Moore (Annaleigh Ashford) in a prison visitation room in Happy Face
How to watch Happy Face online from anywhere – stream TV adaptation of hit podcast
AUSTIN, TEXAS - NOVEMBER 16: Ricardo Pepi #9 of the United States celebrates scoring during the second half of a Concacaf Nations League Quarterfinal Round leg 1 match against Trinidad and Tobago at Q2 Stadium on November 16, 2023 in Austin, Texas.
USA vs Panama live stream: watch CONCACAF Nations League semi-final 2025 online for free
Trinity Rodman #2 of the Washington Spirit crosses the ball during a game between Bay FC and Washington Spirit at Audi Field on November 10, 2024 in Washington, DC.
National Women's Soccer League 2025: How to watch NWSL games live from anywhere