Short focus lenses are not the first choice when shooting sports. Compared to telephoto lenses, which are good at capturing close-ups from a distance, short focus lenses, with their wide angle of view, can get closer to athletes and are mainly used for scene shooting that emphasizes the atmosphere, dynamic tension, and sense of being there.
The following are the types of sports best suited for shooting with short focus lenses:
1.Extreme sports
Extreme sports, such as skateboarding, BMX, parkour, and rock climbing, are mostly performed on city streets or in small venues. Short focus lenses can be used to follow the athletes’ movements and capture close-up shots. When shooting, these lenses leverage their unique perspective to accentuate the athletes’ facial expressions and intricate movements while simultaneously retaining the environmental background, thereby creating an immersive sense of intensity.
Furthermore, extreme sports photography frequently employs low-angle shots, which serve to make the athletes appear larger than life, thereby amplifying their sense of power and visual dynamism.
Short focus lenses are often used to shoot extreme sports
2.Racing and cycling projects
Short focus lenses are also commonly used in some racing and cycling events. Photographers can shoot from a low angle next to the track and use wide-angle distortion to emphasize the speed and dynamism of the vehicles. By placing the lens on the inside of the curve or near the jump point, they can capture the stunning perspective of the riders leaning into the corner or flying overhead.
3.Indoor ball sports
Some indoor ball sports, such as basketball, volleyball, table tennis, and badminton, have limited indoor space and the spectators are close to the field and players. At this moment, using a short focus lens can capture a wide perspective under the basket, showcasing the intense competition between players and the overall tactical layout.
For example, when shooting a basketball game, a photographer can use a short focus lens behind the basket to capture the contorted facial expressions of a player as they dunk, enhancing the drama.
Indoor ball sports can also be photographed with a short focus lens
4.Combat sports
In certain combat or confrontational sports—such as boxing, wrestling, and judo—competitions take place within a fixed ring or designated area. By utilizing short focus lenses, photographers can move nimbly along the sidelines or perimeter to capture dynamic moments—such as breakthroughs, blocks, and spikes—while simultaneously incorporating environmental elements like court boundaries and scoreboards.
For example, using a short focus lens with a large aperture can record a boxer’s expression, sweat, and muscle definition very clearly.
5.Water sports
Water sports, such as surfing, kayaking, sailing, and swimming, allow photographers to get close to or even into the water to capture the splashing waves and the focused expressions of the athletes, while also showcasing the vastness of the water.
For example, when shooting a swimming competition with a short focus lens, placing the lens 1 meter in front of the starting block of the pool can simultaneously record the muscle tension of the athlete taking off and the feeling of the lane extending.
Short focus lenses are also used for photographing water sports
6.Aerial sports
For some aerial sports, such as skydiving and paragliding, a short focus lens can be used to capture a wide view of the sky, showcasing the athletes’ courageous posture in the air and the magnificent backdrop of the sky.
Furthermore, indoor events such as gymnastics and esports competitions frequently utilize short focus lenses; this allows for the simultaneous capture of both the athletes’ detailed movements and the venue’s surroundings, thereby recreating the authentic atmosphere of the live competition.
Final Thoughts:
By working with professionals at ChuangAn, both design and manufacturing are handled by highly skilled engineers. As part of the purchasing process, a company representative can explain in more detail specific information about the type of lens you wish to purchase. ChuangAn’s series of lens products are used in a wide range of applications, from surveillance, scanning, drones, cars to smart homes, etc. ChuangAn has various types of finished lenses, which can also be modified or customized according to your needs. Contact us as soon as possible.
Post time: Apr-28-2026
