 BetterPhoto Member |
Photographing Action What camera settings should I adjust my camera for actions shots? I am trying to get pictures of the softball team in action but my pictures are turning out blurred. I have my ISO set to 400 and I am using a tripod but they are still blurring.
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Jon Close |
To eliminate blur and stop action, you need a faster shutter speed - 1/250 and faster should be fine. In daylight, ISO 400 should normally allow very fast shutter speeds unless your lens is set to a very small aperture (large f-number).
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Dara R. Purves |
Hi Cora, I can't really answer anything to be honest, but if you have figured out this dilemma, could you let me know? Because I am in the same situation. Thanks, DP
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- Dennis Flanagan Contact Dennis Flanagan Dennis Flanagan's Gallery |
Quit using automatic settings and shoot manual. Or at the very least, put your camera on Shutter Priority mode and shoot at 1/125 of a second. Softball action isn't fast enough that you need a faster speed than that. If you have the light to shoot a higher shutter speed, go for it.
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Pete H |
"and I am using a tripod but they are still blurring." The tripod has nothing to do with blur due to subject motion. Your tripod only prevents the camera from moving. You need a faster shutter speed. I don't think 1/125th is quite fast enough to stop the swing of the bat etc., but 1/250th should be fine. If you can't get 1/250th, you need either a wider aperture or raise the ISO more.
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David Rodriguez |
Cora, I regularly shoot little league action photos. I switch between two type of settings, depending on whether the player is hitting or fielding. When hitting, on a sunny day, ISO 400 is OK. To freeze the bat I use at least 1/500, but the ball will be blurred (fast pitch). To freeze the ball I use at least 1/1250. For fielding, I use 1/500 because that also freezes the runner and a thrown ball. Otherwise, 1/250 will do. If it is clowdy or darker, I bump my settings about three stops or trade-off action (more blurry image) for a better exposure.
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Curt Morris |
Cora, I've shot my kids playing baseball, softball and lacrosse over the past few years and have gotten some great shots. The key is to set your shutter speed at 2x focal length. So if you have a 200mm zoom, you will need a shutter speed of at least 400, which has been suggested earlier. A higher ISO value will allow you to take these shots with less light, say a night game, but during daylight games, you should be fine with even below 400 ISO. Don't use the automatic setting on your camera, but rather the aperture priority mode. Set it to 2x the focal length of your lens and shoot away. One other suggestion ... looking at each picture after you take it is the wrong thing to do during the game. It way be great at a birthday party, but not shooting sports. During the action try not to take your eye away from the viewfinder as you will miss something. Memory cards are cheap so take LOTS of shots and then spend some quality time at the computer after the event killing the bad ones and enjoying the good ones. Have fun!!
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Gorham P. Miscall |
Cora, I don't know what camera you're using, but if it allows you to set the ISO to AUTO, then use shutter priority and set it to 1/500. With ISO set to AUTO, the ISO for each shot will vary depending on available light, but you will always get 1/500 shutter speed. Softball can be fast moving at times, so I think 1/500 would be a safe starting point. Good luck!
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Nancy |
We have 2 cameras. I use a D200 and my partner uses the D300. For softball/baseball we use a 80-400mm lens. Shooting on a mono-pod from across the field. One gets the batter at bat as well as the sliding into home. The other gets the action from the other side of the field with the 28-300mm on a mono-pod. We both have the cameras set at 400ISO and shutter priority set at 1/400 to 1/500. We have been shooting action sports for 3 years. Since It's past softball in our area, We are now shooting flagfootball. This is what I have available to send in if needed as an example.
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