The Bits!

(All photos courtesy Sports Shooter Academy)

One of the things that is so great about photography these days is the the amount useful information you can get your hands on. In the old days, it was like a kung fu movie, you’d have to travel days on foot to find an old master. Then there was that whole wax-on-wax-off thing.  Now, though, you can find a workshop almost around every corner and learn from really talented people. (And, only some of them make you paint their fences) 

Plus, at some of the very best workshops, you can also learn tips and tricks from pros that use Photo Mechanic.

Cue the walk-up music for Sports Shooter Academy. This is one of our favorite programs for honing your skills at photographing sports and action of any kind. And, of course speeding up workflows involved with that. (Have we mentioned that we love speed? We love speed!) We chatted with super pro and SSA founder Robert Hanashiro (USA TODAY) about the upcoming Sports Shooter Academy XI and asked some questions about the epic event:

The Bits: Who would benefit most from Sports Shooter Academy workshops? Who are they geared towards?

Robert: The Sports Shooter Academy gives participants the opportunity to cover real sports events under the guidance of a faculty of award-winning photojournalists. This unique educational program is structured to help photographers see sports in a different way and with the help of the instructors learn new techniques, sharpen the skills they may already have and become inspired, re-energized and “see” better. The workshop is made up of photojournalism students, working professionals and people who have some experience in sports photography but need something to take that next step.

The Bits: What advice would you give a first time attendee? How should one prepare?

RH: Come to the Sports Shooter Academy with an open mind plus the drive and desire to try new and different things. This could be using different lenses at a particular sport or shoot from a totally unexpected position. One of the things participants point to in their growth during the workshop is absorbing what the instructors share with  during the nightly one-on-one critique sessions. These are often the highlight of your 5 days at the Sports Shooter Academy.

The Bits: What is your favorite part of SSA?

RH: Personally my favorite part of the workshop is meeting all of the people that literally come from around the world to be a part of this. SSA XI has already received applications from photographers and students from Canada, Mexico, Brazil, the U.K., Finland, Sweden and Australia. The friends that I and everyone make during the workshop are long-lasting. I still exchange emails from participants from SSA I 9 years ago … and I have hired over a dozen to assist me on shoots for USA TODAY. I can also say that several past attendees have done assignments, interned or been hired at organizations like the Los Angeles Times, Sports Illustrated, the Associated Press, Getty Images and Reuters News Photos.

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More links!! 

Sports Shooter Academy
http://www.sportsshooteracademy.com/

And on FB: 
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sports-Shooter-Academy/218332281520720?sk=wall

Great stuff on Vimeo too: 
https://vimeo.com/ssacademy