Set your camera to action mode
Set your camera to action mode to get the best results when photographing
people in motion. Action mode increases the aperture to let in more light
and lowers exposure time to capture a moving subject. Just remember that
your camera needs time to focus and that there is a slight delay when you do
press the shutter. With a bit of practice, you'll be able to time your shots
to minimize the impact of such delays.
Use your camera's sleep mode
You can extend your camera's battery life and miss fewer photo opportunities by using sleep mode. Compact digital cameras take several seconds to power up after you turn them on. This means having to wait before you can take a picture. If a spectacular play is taking place during this time, you're out of luck. Turning your camera on and off repeatedly also wastes energy because of the power required to extend and retract your zoom lens. But the biggest energy hog of all is one of your camera's most useful features: the LCD viewfinder. Sleep mode saves energy two ways: first, it shuts off your camera's power-consuming features without shutting the camera down completely; secondly, it turns off the LCD finder when you're not taking pictures. Not only do you save energy, but when you're ready to take your next shot, your camera is ready a lot quicker and you're less likely to miss a shot.
Use the optical viewfinder to track fast action
Use the optical (or glass) viewfinder instead of the LCD when you're photographing really fast motion. When people or objects move too fast, the LCD viewfinder can't redraw what the camera sees fast enough, and you'll see a blur rather than a clearly defined person or thing. This makes it difficult for you to follow what's going on. Use the optical viewfinder instead and track your subject. Tracking means keeping your camera fixed on your subject as it moves against the background.
Tracking can result in spectacular pictures with your subject sharply in focus against a blurred background, thus creating an impression of tremendous speed and explosive action.
Anticipate the action
Another way to get an excellent shot is to anticipate your subject's next move, point your camera to where you think it'll be and then snap your picture once you can see the player in your viewfinder. This is also an excellent way to counter some of the lag you might experience after you press your camera's shutter.
Use your zoom lens to get close to the action
The best way to get close to the action, without getting in the way, is to use your camera's optical zoom. Most digital cameras come with 3x time optical zoom. Certain models have more. The more optical zoom you have, the farther away from the action you can be. If you plan to take a lot of pictures of your family engaged in physical activity, you may want to invest in a camera with 8x to 12x optical zoom.
Tracking can result in spectacular pictures with your subject sharply in focus against a blurred background, thus creating an impression of tremendous speed and explosive action.
Move around
The athletes on the playing field are constantly moving and so should you. When you watch a game on television, the camera angle and distance are always changing. Sometimes you'll see faraway overhead shots, at other times you'll see the action unfolding before you at eye-level, as if you were sitting in the stands. With so much going on during a game, television coverage ensures that you see everything from multiple angles.
You can use this approach when photographing a family sporting event. You can take pictures from high in the stands, or stand right next to the line of scrimmage. Walk around the perimeter of the playing field. Kneel down for yet another perspective. Try shooting from different angles and places to get a variety of shots and to capture the action in as many ways as you can. Just remember to be polite. Do not obstruct the view of other spectators and stay off the field so that you don't get in the way of participants.
Capture emotion
Sports events are full of dramatic moments: turnaround goals, last minute victories. To capture such moments, don't just focus on the action, pay close attention to reactions as well. Think of the explosion of joy that follows a winning touchdown. But victory is only half of the story. What about the team that goes down in defeat? The reactions of players on both sides provide excellent opportunities for highly dramatic photographs.
Capture the action off the field
Spectators are as much a part of the game as the players. A lot goes on in
the stands. Families and friends cheer and jeer as the action on the playing
field unfolds. Emotions run rampant when goals are scored. Fans have strong
reactions to referees' calls. And once the final whistle has blown, there
are so many special moments as friends, family and teammates gather together
to celebrate a game well played.
And you don't have to limit yourself to team sports. There are many dramatic occasions that don't involve any competition at all and focus on individual achievement. Your everyday life offers many such occasions, including your child learning to ride a bicycle, your teenage son trying a new skateboard trip, your six-year old daughter's first leap off the diving board, your wife's first time at the driving range, or a father and son enjoying a day on the lake, canoeing or fishing.
Action Photography Continued: [1] [2] [3]
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