fullscreen background
Skip to main content

Fall Quarter

Fall Registration Opens Aug 17
shopping cart icon0

Courses


« Back to Liberal Arts & Sciences

PHOTO 209 — Capturing the Action: Sports Photography

Quarter: Fall
Instructor(s): John Todd
Duration: 7 sessions
Location: On-campus
Date(s): Sep 23—Oct 14
Class Recording Available: No
Class Meeting Day: Wednesdays/Saturdays
 
Class Meeting Time: 7:00—9:00 pm (PT)
Please Note: Class Sessions: 4 Wednesdays, September 23, September 30, October 7, October 14, 7:00 – 9:00 pm (PT); Field Trips: 3 Saturdays, September 26, October 3, October 10.
Tuition: $625
   
Refund Deadline: Sep 25
 
Unit(s): 2
   
Enrollment Limit: 22
  
Status: Registration opens Aug 17, 8:30 am (PT)
 
Quarter: Fall
Day: Wednesdays/Saturdays
Duration: 7 sessions
Time: 7:00—9:00 pm (PT)
Date(s): Sep 23—Oct 14
Unit(s): 2
Location: On-campus
 
Tuition: $625
 
Refund Deadline: Sep 25
 
Instructor(s): John Todd
 
Enrollment Limit: 22
 
Recording Available: No
 
Status: Registration opens Aug 17, 8:30 am (PT)
 
Please Note: Class Sessions: 4 Wednesdays, September 23, September 30, October 7, October 14, 7:00 – 9:00 pm (PT); Field Trips: 3 Saturdays, September 26, October 3, October 10.
 
 
The thrill of victory and the agony of defeat are recorded daily by talented photographers around the globe who have elevated sports photography to an art form rather than merely a record of an event. This course covers the basic principles of how to create dynamic sports photography that goes beyond the standard action image. Topics include timing, camera settings, lighting, software, and techniques for capturing the emotion and drama of everyday sports. Guest speakers include Bay Area professional sports photographers who will discuss their experiences covering major sporting events and the tools they use to capture dramatic images. Students will be assigned to produce action images each week following the five sports photography foundations identified in the course: peak action, clean backgrounds, storytelling moments, backlighting, and unique angles. Weekly critiques provide opportunities for feedback and discussion. Outdoor photography sessions include Stanford Athletics events and surfing at Steamer Lane in Santa Cruz. As a final project, students will produce an online portfolio.

Students should own or have access to a 35 mm digital camera to take full advantage of this course. Students should expect to pay nominal entry fees to the outdoor venues. This course includes field trips. Field trip transportation will be the responsibility of the student. More details will be provided prior to the first class.

JOHN TODD
Landscape, Commercial, and Sports Photographer

John Todd is principal and co-owner of ISI Photos, a sports photography and image licensing agency with a specialty in soccer. He has photographed nine FIFA World Cups and two Olympic Games. His work has appeared in Time, The New York Times, USA Today, The Washington Post, and Sports Illustrated. He has been team photographer for the San Jose Earthquakes since 1996, and ISI Photos has served as the photography agency for Stanford Athletics since 2010.