Creative photography

[david boyd]

I want to take some photo's of my son's football team, especially in action, hopefully scoring a goal. I will be using Iso 400 on P mode on my canon a40 using multiple shoot, any more tips that could be useful whilst taking shots?

David

[admin]

Multiple shoot, or continuous mode, is great for shooting sports events where there is a lot of action. It is also wise to use ISO 400.

Plan ahead and practice when you're getting ready to shoot sports events where there is a lot of movement, sometimes unpredictable. Become familiar with the various camera settings and techniques used to capture the action. When photographing people, remember to capture emotion as well as motion.

Here are some suggestions:

Vary picture taking angle
If you can, move around. Take photos at eye level, but also from above or below the subject for added interest and dynamics.

Pre-focus to help prevent shutter lag
One of the disadvantages of most current digital cameras is that many models don't respond quickly when the shutter-release button is depressed. Pre-focus by depressing the shutter-release button half-way, and then fully depress the button. If your digicam has a “quick release” setting, use it.

Find the best spot
Arrive early at the game so you have an unobstructed view of the field. Be close enough so the action you wish to photography will fill the frame. Get down on the side lines if you're permitted, so you can move with the action.

Use varied shutter speeds
Fast shutter speeds - to capture stop action.
Slower shutter speeds - to capture motion.

Panning
Freeze the action by "panning," ie: move the camera move the same direction as the moving subject. Panning produces images with the subject in sharp focus and the background blurred.

Anticipate the action and start panning the camera prior to the subject entering into view. As you track your subject, follow the action by steadily turning your body. After you snap the shutter-release button, continue to move the camera a few moments.

Vary zoom focal lengths
You will probably use the telephoto lens fully zoomed in for close-ups, but try other zoom ranges too for varied shots.

Keep it steady
When feasible, use a tripod, monopod or other means of support to help prevent camera shake.

Try to anticipate where most of the action will take place. You don't want a goal post in the way, or take a shot when your son's back towards your camera.

Don't forget to practice ahead of time so you are ready when your son's football team scores that goal! Take some great photos. Most importantly enjoy the game and good luck to the team!


Related reading

Using shutter speed to freeze action or portray movement in a photo:
http://www.digicamhelp.com/advanced-digital-camera-settings/shutter-speed-effects.htm

Using the two-step shutter-release button:
http://www.digicamhelp.com/shutter-release-button/index.htm

ISO/Sensitivity:
http://www.digicamhelp.com/advanced-digital-camera-settings/iso.htm

Tripods
http://www.digicamhelp.com/tripods/index.htm

Note: If you digital camera doesn't have a continuous mode or the ability to adjust shutter and aperture settings, use Sports Mode.

[david boyd]

 

Thank you for advice, quite a bit to take in, with my canon camera I have full control on manual settings, I deally I would like a camera with a better optical zoom, something like x10, but I will have to stick with this for a few months, although it is only a 2mp, it creates excellent pictures, Ill most probably get a tripod on my next camera purchase, I like the sound of panning, I will try that, on my camera I have a "P" mode, I can set the ISO and continous mode and the rest is worked out by the camera, Ill try this way too. What I will do is set my camera before I go to the match, Ill go for these settings to start off with and go from there.

ISO 400
1/500s
max zoom ready
position at goal post
continuos mode
no flash

Thanks for your advice

David

[admin]

You're very welcome, David!

Yes, there is a lot to take in. And you certainly don't have to use every suggestion. The settings you've decided on should work just fine.

Another very important point when you find a location to take your photos! Watch out for strong backlit situations!

If you can't move around, try to find a location so the main source of light comes from in back of you (eg. the light comes from the back of you, over your shoulder). This helps prevent a backlit situation where photos have the subject in deep shadows but the background is properly exposed. We all have taken these types of disappointing photos. Situating yourself with the source of light in mind will also help prevent lens flare, those yucky white, blown out spots and "ghosts" which appear in photos and often ruin them.

To put it simply, in most situations the source of light should fall on the front of your subject.

Incidently, a two megapixel digicam should do just fine. However, make sure you have the camera set to it's highest quailty setting. On some cameras the setting is called "Fine."

Oh, and make sure you have enough memory cards. Taking images using continuous mode takes a lot of space.