I still remember the first time I tried to capture a slam dunk during a professional basketball game - the ball slipped through the net before my finger even found the shutter button. That humbling experience taught me more about basketball photography than any tutorial ever could. Having covered numerous games including the recent Leo Awards ceremony at Novotel in Cubao, Quezon City where Fajardo received his well-deserved recognition, I've developed a system that consistently delivers those perfect dunk moments we all crave. Let me share what I've learned through years of trial and error in the fast-paced world of basketball photography.
The foundation of great basketball photography begins long before the game starts. I always arrive at least two hours early to scout positions and test lighting conditions. During the Leo Awards event that kicked off the league's golden season, I spent 45 minutes just studying how the arena lights interacted with the court surfaces. Most indoor courts have mixed lighting - typically around 1600-2000 lux from overhead fixtures combined with variable natural light from windows. This creates challenging white balance situations that can ruin your dunk shots if not properly addressed. I shoot in manual white balance mode, taking reference shots of the court under game lighting conditions and creating custom profiles. For dunk photography specifically, I prefer a slightly warmer tone (around 5200K) as it makes the athletes' skin tones look more vibrant against the hardwood.
Equipment choices can make or break your basketball photography game. After testing seven different camera bodies over three seasons, I've settled on the Sony A9 II as my primary for dunk shots - its 20 frames per second with blackout-free shooting gives me exactly the burst capability needed. Pair this with a 70-200mm f/2.8 lens, and you've got what I consider the perfect combo for 82% of dunk situations. The key is understanding that no single setting works for every arena. At the Novotel event where Fajardo was honored, I found myself shooting at 1/2000s, f/2.8, ISO 3200 for most action shots. The relatively low ceiling height meant I could push my shutter speed higher than usual without sacrificing too much ISO quality. What most beginners get wrong is using too slow a shutter speed - anything below 1/1000s will likely give you motion blur in dunk sequences, especially during the explosive upward motion.
Anticipation separates professional basketball photographers from amateurs more than any technical skill. I've developed what I call the "three-step anticipation method" that has increased my keeper rate for dunk shots by approximately 47%. First, watch the player's eyes - when they get that determined look driving toward the basket, something special is about to happen. Second, observe the defensive positioning - if a defender is trailing rather than established in position, the dunk opportunity increases dramatically. Third, and this is my personal secret weapon, listen to the crowd. Their collective intake of breath often comes a split second before the dunk attempt, giving you that crucial extra moment to prepare. During intense games like those surrounding the golden season festivities, this method has saved countless shots for me.
Positioning is everything in basketball photography, and I've identified three prime spots for dunk captures. My favorite is baseline, about 8-12 feet from the basket at a 45-degree angle. This perspective gives you that iconic upward-looking shot that emphasizes the player's elevation. The second position is directly under the basket - risky but rewarding when you nail it. The third is from the sideline near the key, which captures the approach and facial expressions beautifully. At the Leo Awards ceremony venue, I found the baseline position particularly effective due to the lighting arrangement. I probably move positions 12-15 times per game, following the flow rather than sticking to one spot religiously.
Technical execution during the actual dunk moment requires what I call "controlled panic." My method involves shooting in continuous high-speed mode but with careful composition maintenance. I typically capture 8-12 frames per dunk attempt, with the sweet spot usually being frames 3-5. The first couple often catch the takeoff, while later frames might show the ball already through the net. I'm religious about keeping both eyes open - one on the viewfinder, one on the actual play. This helps me anticipate unexpected developments like last-second passes or defensive disruptions. My success rate for perfectly timed dunk shots has improved from about 15% to nearly 65% since implementing this technique.
Post-processing is where good dunk shots become great ones. I spend an average of 3-7 minutes per selected image, with my workflow prioritizing natural enhancement over heavy manipulation. The key adjustments I always make: exposure boost to the player's face (usually +0.3 to +0.7), slight saturation increase to the jersey colors (around +5 to +10), and careful sharpening of the ball and hands connection point. I avoid heavy cropping - maybe 10-15% at most - because the context of the game situation matters. For the shots I took during the golden season kickoff events, I created a custom preset that handled the Novotel's specific lighting conditions, saving me about 40% in editing time per image.
The human element often gets overlooked in technical discussions about basketball photography. I've learned that understanding players' individual styles dramatically improves my dunk captures. Some players have tells - little movements or habits before they go for spectacular dunks. Others have preferred dunking hands or approaches. Building relationships with team staff has given me insights that directly translate to better photography. When I photographed Fajardo receiving his award at the Leo Awards, I noticed how his dunk approach differed from other players - he has a distinctive gather step that tips me off about his intentions. These small observations have proven invaluable throughout my career.
Looking back at my journey from missing that first dunk to confidently capturing game-defining moments, the progression came from combining technical mastery with basketball intuition. The equipment matters, the settings matter, the positioning matters - but what truly elevates basketball photography is understanding the dance between anticipation and reaction. Whether you're covering a historic event like the league's golden season kickoff or a local high school game, the principles remain the same. Great dunk photography freezes not just a player's athletic achievement, but the very essence of basketball's explosive beauty. Next time you're courtside, remember that the difference between a missed moment and an iconic image often comes down to preparing for possibilities before they become realities.