Capturing the perfect soccer player photograph has always been a passion of mine, especially after covering countless matches where lighting conditions can make or break a shot. I remember shooting the recent PBA Philippine Cup game where BARANGAY Ginebra dominated NorthPort with a staggering 131-106 victory at PhilSports Arena. The arena’s mix of harsh floodlights and shadowy corners presented exactly the kind of challenge I love—because great soccer photography isn’t about having perfect light; it’s about mastering whatever light you’re given. Whether you’re in a brightly lit stadium or a dimly lit local field, the principles remain the same, and with a bit of practice, you can turn tricky lighting into dramatic, storytelling images.

One of the first lessons I’ve learned over the years is to embrace the available light rather than fight it. During that Ginebra game, for instance, the players were moving at incredible speeds—some reaching up to 32 kilometers per hour during sprints—and the arena’s lighting created sharp contrasts between the brightly lit center and the shaded areas near the sidelines. Instead of relying solely on flash, which can flatten the image and distract athletes, I adjusted my camera settings to work with the existing conditions. By shooting in manual mode with a wide aperture, around f/2.8, and keeping my ISO at 1600, I was able to freeze the action without introducing too much noise. It’s a balancing act, for sure, but one that pays off when you capture a player’s expression mid-stride, with natural shadows adding depth and emotion to the shot.

Another key aspect is anticipating the action, which goes hand-in-hand with understanding the game’s flow. In that high-scoring match, Ginebra’s aggressive plays meant moments of intense movement followed by brief pauses—perfect opportunities for dynamic shots. I positioned myself near the goal area, where the lighting was most consistent, and used continuous autofocus to track players as they darted across the frame. Personally, I prefer a shutter speed of at least 1/1000th of a second for soccer, as it lets me freeze the ball in mid-air or capture a player’s celebratory leap without motion blur. But here’s a pro tip: don’t be afraid to experiment with slower shutter speeds occasionally. Panning shots at 1/125th of a second, for example, can create a beautiful sense of motion, emphasizing the speed and energy of the game.

Post-processing plays a huge role, too, especially when dealing with mixed lighting like the yellow-tinged floods at PhilSports Arena. I always shoot in RAW format to retain as much detail as possible, and then fine-tune the white balance and exposure in editing software. For that game, I boosted the shadows by about 15-20% to reveal facial expressions and jersey details without washing out the highlights. It’s these subtle adjustments that can transform a good photo into a powerful one, telling a story beyond the scoreline. And let’s be honest, a well-edited image can convey the intensity of a 131-106 blowout just as vividly as the live action.

In the end, soccer photography is as much about creativity as it is about technique. Whether you’re covering a professional league or a local match, the goal is to capture the emotion and energy of the sport, regardless of the lighting. From my experience, the best shots often come from embracing challenges—like the unpredictable glare of stadium lights or the soft glow of a sunset game—and using them to your advantage. So grab your camera, study the light, and don’t shy away from pushing your settings; that’s how you’ll create images that resonate long after the final whistle.