| When it comes to taking great action photos, one of | | | | action. Capture those expressions of determination, |
| the most important digital photography basics is | | | | triumph and even defeat (especially if it's an |
| understanding shutter lag. | | | | opponent!). |
| Also called "processor lag" this is the time that it | | | | Tell a Story – Look for shots that tell a story of |
| takes between the time you press the shutter | | | | the event. For instance, take a picture of a team |
| release and the time the camera actually takes the | | | | huddle or a group of runners stretching before the |
| shot. Press too soon, and you end up with something | | | | big race. |
| completely different than what you expected. | | | | Freeze! – To freeze the action, set your camera |
| Despite all of their advantages, compact digital | | | | to sports mode or set your Shutter Speed Priority to |
| cameras are slower than traditional film cameras. This | | | | a high setting. For an example of the difference in |
| article provides some tips for dealing with this lag, as | | | | settings: freezing action in a soccer game requires a |
| well as tips for how to take more exciting and | | | | shutter speed in the range of 1/250 to 1/500, while |
| memorable action pictures. | | | | freezing the tiny movements of a pet that appears |
| 1) Be Ready - Always try to anticipate the | | | | to be sitting still, requires 1/125. |
| movement before it happens. Even professional | | | | Blur the Background – Take a cue from the |
| sports photographers with fast cameras have to still | | | | sports photographers, and blur the background by |
| anticipate actions so they can be in the right spot at | | | | decreasing the camera's depth of field. If using a |
| the right time. | | | | camera that has Aperture Priority, you can do this by |
| By having a better understanding of what you're | | | | simply decreasing the f-stop number. The lower the F |
| photographing, you'll be better able to anticipate the | | | | Stop number, the more blurry your background. |
| actions and get better shots. So, if you plan to take | | | | Pan - This is a good alternative for digital compact |
| pictures of your child's soccer match, learn the rules | | | | users where dim light underexposes photos taken |
| of the game so you'll know what to expect. If your | | | | with sports mode/fast shutter speed. Panning works |
| child is dancing in the Nutcracker, watch a couple of | | | | with automatic focus but it only works well when the |
| rehearsals before you start taking pictures. | | | | subject is moving in a fairly straight line. Here is how |
| 2) Before you get a new compact digital camera | | | | to pan the camera: |
| investigate what you really want. Unfortunately, | | | | Set your Camera to Autofocus. With your feet firmly |
| there isn't just one camera spec that will tell you how | | | | planted on the ground, rotate your upper body and |
| fast the camera will capture the picture from the | | | | follow the subject with your camera. Just before the |
| time you press the button. Others things like the | | | | anticipated action that you want to capture occurs, |
| quality of the sensor and the ISO setting (if in dim | | | | start pressing the shutter release button and |
| light) can also slow down the processing time. So | | | | continue following the subject until you've pressed |
| check out what others are saying at photography | | | | the button all the way down and the camera gets |
| forums and honest review sites, and read all the | | | | the shot. |
| specs available. | | | | Is the autofocus on your camera too slow? Focus on |
| 3) Spring for a DSLR (Digital Single-Lens-Reflex). | | | | an area of contrast, such as the number on a |
| They're more expensive than compacts, but they're | | | | uniform. Autofocus works faster with contrast. |
| FAST. These cameras do not have shutter-lag issues, | | | | Play around with panning and see what kinds of |
| and if you're shooting action indoors, you can ramp | | | | different effects you can get. If you want to put |
| up the ISO without your photos being marred by the | | | | more emphasis on the movement, you may want to |
| digital noise that you'll get when doing the same with | | | | consider blurring the movement to make it look like |
| a compact. | | | | it's moving faster. |
| Digital Photography Basics to Use with any Type of | | | | Whether you are shooting a sporting event or taking |
| Camera | | | | photos of your dog playing frisbee, action photos are |
| Whether you have a compact, DSLR, point-and-shoot | | | | really a lot of fun once you get the hang of it. And |
| film camera or camera phone, try these professional | | | | once you understand the digital photography basics |
| tricks. | | | | like shutter lag, you'll take better pictures and have |
| Zoom in on Faces – Don't always focus on the | | | | even more fun. |