Photographer’s Corner: Putting the action back into action
shots
By Robyn Martin
Over the past few months, I have been getting many questions and hearing
misconceptions about taking action pictures. Action pictures are just that –
they capture movement, either of the main subject or the surroundings. So how
do you get a picture that includes both action and focus? Well, even the most
experienced photographers don’t have all the answers to that question!
Capturing movement on film is not a simple feat to master, and requires much
practice. In this article, I will share some pointers and techniques that I use
to capture a subject in motion, without blurring the picture beyond the point
of recognition.
Digital cameras, in my opinion, are not the best choice for taking actions
pictures. Most cameras have a shutter lag time - or as I like to call it, a
“lazy” shutter. This means that when you press the shutter button to take your
shot, the shutter hesitates for about half a second (or longer, depending on
the camera). This occurs no matter what setting you are using on your camera.
Fortunately, there are ways to minimize this lag time in shutter speed.
First of all, try using a camera that has minimal shutter lag. Testing and
examining a camera hands-on before making a purchase is the best way to ensure
that you’re getting exactly what you want. If you are not in the market for a
new camera, or if your finances don’t allow for an upgraded model, there are
several techniques that you can use to compensate for a slower shutter speed.
For example, even though my camera has a lazy shutter, I have learned to make
adjustments to compensate and minimize this time loss. Most digital cameras
have an Auto Focus feature, which is engaged by pressing and holding the
shutter button halfway down. What a great idea – but if not done correctly, it
can contribute to the shutter lag time. When you use auto focus, your camera is
not only focusing but also checking for white balance, aperture setting, and
exposure. One helpful way to reduce the lag time is to find your focal point
and lock on to it before the action begins. In other words, before the dog
jumps through the tire, set your camera focus on the tire by pressing and
holding the shutter button halfway down. This will reduce the time it takes for
the shutter to react.
Another time-saving tip is to adjust your camera for the proper lighting
beforehand. Turn off the white balance and manually set it according to the
surroundings. This will quicken your shutter time because it will be one less
check that your camera would be making on automatic mode.
Shutter speed can also be set manually. I set my shutter speed at 1/1000 in the
sunlight, and use a lower shutter speed indoors. Depending on indoor lighting,
you can set your shutter speed as low as it will go. If your picture is too
dark, use a lower shutter speed. I usually start my speed at 1/200 and make
adjustments based on the picture result. If all else fails, use a flash!
If your camera has an action setting – such as a running man icon – you will
yield better results by using it. This is because of a faster aperture/shutter
speed. Your camera will capture the focal point in mid-air, but will not stop
the flow of the surrounding action – giving you the feel of movement. For
example, when I take pictures at a weight-pulling event, I like to capture a
dog’s head as the focal point, but make the cart appear as if it were still
moving. The trick to this kind of shot is to follow the subject with the
camera. Focus on the mark and then follow it until you have the shot – this is
called “panning.” It will still the focal point, but will give a moving-type
surrounding effect.
If you are unsatisfied with the results, using a sequence setting or continuous
shutter is another option. Since most cameras are not equipped to take
continuous photos with a flash, you must make sure that you have adequate
lighting to use this feature. I usually take these kinds of shots outdoors or
when I want to capture several consecutive pictures of the same action. To take
continuous pictures, first press and hold the shutter button down halfway to
focus the subject. When the action starts, press down on the shutter button to
capture 4, 5, or 6 successive pictures at once. You are almost guaranteed at
least one or two good pictures out of the batch. Of course, this produces a
better picture when you “pan” the subject.
Taking action images is a learning process that requires much experimentation
and practice. First decide on the look – do you want a clear picture, a blurred
subject, or maybe a blurred background? Do you want just a portion of the
subject in focus? Next, learn your camera and its settings. By knowing your
camera’s strengths and weaknesses, you will maximize the quality of your photos
and will be thrilled with the results that you can achieve.
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