Capturing the Action in Sports with Mhairi Chambers

Mhairi Chambers is a keen amateur photographer based in Edinburgh, Scotland. As a sportswoman herself, she mainly photographs sports but also dabbles in a number of other genres alongside this. I spoke to Mhairi to find out more about her photography and how she started out shooting sporting events.  

What got you into photography?

M: I actually started out in the 1980s/90s shooting on film. My now husband was a keen photographer, so he got me into shooting my own images. At that point, I was borrowing his camera gear but eventually progressed on to acquiring a Canon AE1 of my own.

Grange batsman hits a four
‘Grange batsman hits a four’. Photo by Mhairi Chambers

What is your favourite genre of photography? I see you photograph a lot of sports – is that your primary interest and what got you interested in it?

Yes, sport photography is my favourite genre and primary interest. I guess being someone who played sports for a number of years (hockey, basketball, and now golf) I reckoned I would have some idea of how to tackle photographing sports. I always think from a timing point of view if you’ve played, you can anticipate better what’s likely to happen action wise.

How did you get started in sports photography?

I went to my local park one day when there was a football match going on and simply asked the coach if I could take some photos. He was more than happy for me to do so, with the proviso that I’d send any decent shots to him. I did – he loved them and said they’d been looking for someone to photograph their games and would I be interested. That was three years ago, and through connections within that club, I then got asked to do the Tynecastle FC games. It’s a great way to start, since we can’t all get media access to bigger games if we aren’t professional photographers. Phone shots are fine but lots of clubs still want ‘real photographs’ too. Some of my motor bike prints from the racing at Knockhill Circuit are now on show at a charity run by the dad of one of the racers that I got to know. They recently moved into new premises in Forfar where they are based and were happy to put my prints up on the wall.

Edinburgh Napier Knights kicker in action
‘Edinburgh Napier Knights kicker in action.’ Photo by Mhairi Chambers

What kind of influences do you draw inspiration from?

Probably a few people I have been involved with in my playing career; players who have played for Scotland but were happy to take part in fun games as well. I liked the fact that they were happy to play with folk who only played at a lower level. In other words, no prima donnas! The same applies to one of my basketball coaches, George. He’s always encouraging, happy to do one to one coaching and is never negative. These people always focussed on the positives, which I’ve taken on board for my photography. Too much negativity never helps anybody!

Ali Fraser of Falkirk Fury shoots
‘Ali Fraser of Falkirk Fury shoots’. Photo by Mhairi Chambers

Do you have any favourite photographers or creative influences that have informed your photographic style, and why?

I occasionally do street photography, so love people like Vivien Maier and Robert Blomfield. There is so much material to shoot in cities, including my home town of Edinburgh. There are lots of hidden gems, and of course the Edinburgh Festival each year is a gold mine for shooting street performers etc. Another favourite is O Winston Link, the American photographer. His shots of 50s/60s smalltown USA’s railroads and towns are just fabulous. I have both of his books which I never tire of looking at.

Watsonians player about to score a try
‘Watsonians player about to score a try’. Photo by Mhairi Chambers

What kit do you shoot with and what’s your favourite bit of kit?

I now have two Olympus OM1 bodies, the mark 1 and the mark 2. My favourite bit of kit, which I use almost all the time for sports, is my 40-150mm f2.8 Pro lens. Shooting sports under floodlights is particularly challenging, so being able to use a fast lens and higher ISOs and getting good results is great.

What are you working on at the moment?

I still shoot for my local football team, Tynecastle FC at their home games. They use my photos on their social media platforms. I have recently started doing some American football too. Luckily, I used to work at Edinburgh Napier University, so know the head coach of the Edinburgh Napier Knights team and I asked if I could do photos at their games, some of which they now also use on their social media.

Canoe polo on the Union Canal Edinburgh
‘Canoe polo on the Union Canal, Edinburgh’. Photo by Mhairi Chambers

Also, I like producing photobooks, (I use CEWE or SAAL) as it’s a great way of showcasing the kind of imagery I shoot. I did one of the American football team earlier this year, and the head coach liked it so much he asked if he could get a copy! I gave him one, but I prefer people donate the cost to charity if they offer to pay. I have a local charity that I have supported for a few years called ItsGood2Give, and I normally ask people to donate the cost of any books to that.

What would you say is your goal with your photography?

I consider myself a hobbyist, I’m aiming to produce work that I feel is good enough to enter in my club’s competitions and maybe external competitions. I’ve just entered some images in the AMPA motorsports 2024 competition and am hoping to have the confidence to enter more. I’m not really interested in gaining letters after my name, I purely do photography for fun.

Superbike class no 8 Lewis Rollo in action at Knockhill Crcuit
‘Superbike class no. 8 Lewis Rollo in action at Knockhill Circuit’. Photo by Mhairi Chambers

As a female photographer, do you feel that you face any particular challenges? Do you feel that the industry is favourable towards women, or would you like to see any changes?

I’ve never encountered any problems when shooting sports photography. Most of the other photographers I encounter are male, but they’ve all been appreciative of my work when I show them on the back of the camera. They’re more likely to ask what settings I’m using etc, I’ve never had a problem with guys trying to ‘mansplain’ me thankfully!

What advice would you give to budding photographers?

Just start by photographing what’s around you, even in your home environment. Read photography magazines, I have a subscription to Amateur Photographer, which is very useful, and you can find lots of tips. Practice, Practice, Practice! Join a photographic/camera club, there will usually be people there who are happy to help out novices by offering advice or practical sessions, something that is actively promoted at my club.

You can view more of Mhairi’s work on her Instagram and Facebook pages. 

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Mhairi Chambers, Photographer
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