Originally posted by vmax84 I know there are lots of ways of "skinning the cat", but how do YOU shoot action shots?
My kids enjoy playing soccer, softball, outdoor stuff, and was curious what the best technique is.
My camera is a K100D with a cheap Tamron 70 (or is it 75?) to 300mm zoom len. I set the camera on about (TV mode) 750 shutter speed and just start hammering away. I know, totally clueless. Should I have the camera in "continuous focus", push the "trigger" down half way and let it focus, then take the shot, or just start clicking.
It's amazing I get any good shots at all!!!!! Thanks for any tips.
vmax84
With the lens you have(I asume it is a f/3.5-6.3), you need to decide if you want to freeze or blur. If you want to freeze the action, set your camera for a high ISO(try 400) in TV mode experiment with fast shutter speeds. If it is bright and sunny outdoors, you can start with about 250 and work yor way from there. Remember, higher ISO's also increase noise but sometimes you may not have a choice. It is all about the ambient light. 400-800 is a good range on sunny days in my opinion.
Compose your child in the viewfinder and know what shot you are after. Push the shutter button halfway down and fire when you see the shot you want captured.
I use single focus but you could try both to see what works best for you.
For example, at a softball game and your child is up to bat, you may want to freeze the bat hitting the ball. You have to time it and a lot of times you may get shots of before the ball hits the bat or after. Keep on shooting; that is the only way you will get your timming down.
Other times you may want to blur action. Set your ISO to its lowest setting and use a slower shutter speed 30 to 60 is a good range. Practice pannig and in AF-C,
lock on your child. He or she will be in perfect focus with a blurred background which convays a sense of motion.
You could also have blurring from your subject
At the same softball game, your kid is up to bat. Compose and lock focus when you think your child is going to swing and fire. The action will be blurred and it will show a sense of motion; swinging the bat.
Just keep on shooting and play with your settings. To freeze or to blur. That should be your starting point and soon you will be shooting like the pros!