The Extreme Ways that Extreme Sports are Captured and Recorded

You’ve seen the videos of extreme sporting events, complete with close-ups and aerial shots.  Sports enthusiasts jumping out of airplanes and helicopters, kayaking through whitewater rapids and over waterfalls, and doing crazy stunts on motorcycles are all fodder for our entertainment.  But have you ever wondered how those videos come to exist?  Is a cameraman skiing down a hill backwards to capture footage of a snowboarder doing tricks?  And what about the shots where the camera appears to be following a surfer out of a tight barrel?  Is someone doing double duty by riding the wave while holding a camera (which would not only be impressive but probably insane)?  Although there are certainly plenty of crazy camera operators out there willing to follow someone out the door of a plane to get the perfect shot, there are actually much better (and safer) ways of getting the footage needed to show off some of the most extreme sports on the planet.

1. Other sports enthusiasts.  Of course, some of the most exciting shots come from other sports enthusiasts who are willing and able to follow their friends around the world and strap on a camera to catch the action.  Their videos might not be up to snuff when compared to professional photography, but there is something to be said for the fact that they are right there in the gritty action, catching every moment from a unique and terrifying vantage.

2. Action cameras.  These sturdy cameras are both useful and prevalent in capturing the most extreme moments in sporting because they are not manned.  They are often attached to surfboards, snowboards, wakeboards, kayaks, motorcycles, and basically any kind of sporting equipment or machinery that will bear them to get front or rear shots of the action up close and personal.

3. Helmet cams.  An offshoot of action cameras, these tend to be smaller so that they can be attached to helmets or straps in order to capture the point of view of the individual engaged in the sport, although they can sometimes be maneuvered to take footage of the person’s face (for reaction shots).  A remote wristband can be worn by the participant (or anyone within range) to control what the camera captures.

4. A good zoom lens.  Professional cinematographers may not be willing to risk their necks in the pursuit of actions footage, but luckily, they have technology on their side.  A good zoom lens will often allow them to get close to the action without actually taking part in it (usually by following in some sort of vehicle…helicopter, jeep, whatever is handy), while still capturing the all of the excellent footage they need.

5. Action photographers.  Nobody will get a better shot than an action photographer (not even very enthusiastic friends).  They have an eye for framing and the expertise to act quickly to capitalize when they recognize a great shot.  All of the professional equipment and planning in the world can’t match up to the finesse of a great action photographer in the execution of his craft.

Shirley Simpson is a writer for Medical Coding where you can brose medical coding schools and industry jobs.