Heading to Wimbledon this year? Its official photographer tells you how to ace your (camera) shots…
A foolproof rundown of how to catch all the backhands, volleys and drop shots in glorious HD this year
Words: Anna Galbraith
Photography: Jed Leicester
Backed by over 140 years of history, Wimbledon is widely acknowledged as the world’s most customary sporting event. Steeped in unbroken traditions dictating everything from the player’s attire (all-white everything), to the quintessential spectator snack (up to 28,000kg of strawberries and over 7,000 litres of cream are consumed by fans across the two-week spectacle per annum), the crowning jewel in the tennis calendar has largely remained unchanged throughout its storied, gloried run.
Three years ago, however, in a marked move away from tradition, the world’s most significant tennis championship was officially captured on an OPPO smartphone.
Shot on OPPO Reno 5G
If you aren’t already familiar with OPPO and its smartphones, then you soon will be. The Chinese brand is at the forefront of producing phones compatible with the UK’s 5G network, and has acknowledged that a world-class camera is crucial in garnering consumer interest.
Since 2019, it has partnered with Wimbledon, and the inaugural year of that collaboration saw the the tournament’s official photographer Jed Leicester capture the games using only OPPO’s Reno 5G smartphone.
So how exactly do you get the best shots of summer’s sporting events if all you have is a smartphone and no other equipment to hand? Here are Leicester’s expert tips…
Sharing on social? Choose your vantage point carefully…
There are roughly 39,000 spectators within the Wimbledon grounds at any point across the fortnight – and many of the UK’s other top sporting events are just as well attended. Consequently, if you’re going to share your experience with your social media followers — be that from your vantage point on Murray Mount, or front row seats at Centre Court — it’ll take a lot to make your photos stand out from the crowd.
Shot on OPPO Reno 5G
Shot on OPPO Reno 5G
Shot on OPPO Reno 5G
Whichever game you’re attending, scope out your surroundings on arrival. Easily identifiable landmarks and high vantage points for sweeping panoramas will guarantee successful snaps.
For those heading to Wimbledon, Leicester has a few tips on the best – and perhaps most under-the-radar – locations to head towards. Top vantage points include the view from Court 18, The Balcony on Finals Day, and the view of Court 7. For alternative, behind-the scenes shots, a capture of the day’s Order of Play Boards are sure to make your followers lawn-green with envy. And, for the humble-bragger, a shot of the Fred Perry statue will instantly let your friends know where you are, without having to labour over a smug, gloating caption.
Technical tips for acing the shot…
Leicester has been photographing Wimbledon for two decades, and can now confidently claim to know “every shot, every camera trick and where all the best angles are” across the grounds. The opportunity to tackle the fresh challenge of capturing his photographs on the OPPO Reno 5G, he says, was an exciting one — not least due to the camera’s capacity. He was also able to share his top-three tips from the tournament’s press pit…
Shot on OPPO Reno 5G
Shot on OPPO Reno 5G
1. Compose and wait…, When you’re taking a picture that features live sport, compose it and then wait for the key hit/kick/swing before you capture it.
2. Give your subjects space…, Think about placing the main subject off to the side of your frame in order to give your images a more dynamic feel.
3. Give your strawberries some contrast…, Last but not least, in order to capture the most iconic, Insta-worthy Wimbledon picture, Leiceseter recommends that it’s best to take your bowl of strawberries to the top of The Hill and take a photo with some Wimbledon grass behind them. This will bring out the popping, blushing red colour of the berries — and also remind everyone exactly where you are. While this may be a more Wimbledon-specific shot, the same rules apply whatever your chosen sport – or snack – happens to be.,
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