| When it comes to taking great action photos, one of | | | | tricks. |
| the most important digital photography basics is | | | | Zoom in on Faces Don't always focus on the action. |
| understanding shutter lag. | | | | Capture those expressions of determination, triumph |
| Also called "processor lag" this is the time that it takes | | | | and even defeat (especially if it's an opponent!). |
| between the time you press the shutter release and | | | | Tell a Story Look for shots that tell a story of the |
| the time the camera actually takes the shot. Press the | | | | event. For example, begin with a shot of the team's |
| shutter too early and you'll end up with a picture that's | | | | huddle or your fellow paddlers launching their rafts. |
| completely different than what you were expecting. | | | | Freeze! To freeze the action, set your camera to |
| Despite all of their advantages, compact digital | | | | sports mode or set your Shutter Speed Priority to a |
| cameras are slower than traditional film cameras. This | | | | high setting. As an example of different settings, |
| article provides some tips for dealing with this lag, as | | | | freezing action in a soccer tournament requires a |
| well as tips for how to take more exciting and | | | | shutter speed between 1/250 to 1/500 while taking |
| memorable action pictures. | | | | photos of your pet sitting still requires 1/125. |
| 1) Be Ready to Shoot While you can't know if your | | | | Blur the Background Take a cue from the sports |
| child is going to make that soccer goal, try to anticipate | | | | photographers, and blur the background by decreasing |
| when things are most apt to happen. Even | | | | the camera's depth of field. If you're using a camera |
| professional sports photographers with | | | | with Aperture Priority, you can do this simply by |
| speed-of-lightning cameras try to anticipate the action, | | | | decreasing the F Stop number. The lower the F Stop |
| just so they can be in the right spot and point the | | | | number, the more blurry your background. |
| camera in the right direction. | | | | Pan - This is a good alternative for digital compact |
| By having a better understanding of what you're | | | | users where dim light underexposes photos taken with |
| photographing, you'll be better able to anticipate the | | | | sports mode/fast shutter speed. Panning works with |
| actions and get better shots. So, if you plan to take | | | | automatic focus, but it only works when the action is |
| pictures of your child's soccer match, learn the rules of | | | | moving in a fairly straight line. Here is how to pan the |
| the game so you'll know what to expect. If your child's | | | | camera: |
| performing in the Nutcracker, watch a rehearsal or | | | | Set your Camera to Auto focus. With feet planted |
| two. | | | | firmly on the ground, move the upper half of your body |
| 2) Shop Around before purchasing a new compact | | | | while following the subject with your camera. Just |
| digital. Unfortunately, there isn't just one camera spec | | | | before you think the action will occur, start pressing the |
| that will tell you how fast the camera will capture the | | | | shutter release button half way down and continue |
| picture from the time you press the button. Others | | | | following the subject until you've pressed the button |
| things like the quality of the sensor and the ISO setting | | | | completely down to get the shot. |
| (if in dim light) can also slow down the processing time. | | | | Is the auto focus on your camera too slow? Focus on |
| So investigate what other people are saying in | | | | an area of contrast, such as the number on a uniform. |
| photography forums and read all of the manufacturer's | | | | Auto focus works faster with contrast. |
| specs online. | | | | Play around with panning and see what kinds of |
| 3) Spring for a DSLR (Digital Single-Lens-Reflex). | | | | different effects you can get. You might want to |
| They're more expensive than compacts, but they're | | | | show some blur in the action to emphasize the speed |
| FAST. DSLRs don't have shutter lag problems, so if | | | | of movement, such as with a race car. |
| you're taking photos outside, you can increase the ISO | | | | Whether you are shooting a sporting event or taking |
| without your photos having digital noise like you would | | | | photos of your dog playing frisbee, action photos are |
| with a compact camera. | | | | really a lot of fun once you get the hang of it. And |
| Digital Photography Basics to Use with any Type of | | | | once you understand the digital photography basics like |
| Camera | | | | shutter lag, you'll take better pictures and have even |
| Whether you have a compact, DSLR, point-and-shoot | | | | more fun. |
| film camera or camera phone, try these professional | | | | |