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Freeze frame: How to take action shots

Since the last supertest pit three action cameras against each other, what better way to further explore the photographic category of action shots with a traditional camera?

Capturing high-speed objects frozen in time can make for some stunning photos, and we’ll explain just how to get them below:

Selecting your subject

The best subjects for this category are objects that are moving at a fast pace with a lot of emotion or drama. Pets running after a ball with a hilarious expression, motocross riders jumping over a dirt mound while doing tricks or motorcars whizzing by in a busy city street will generally provide the grounds for a great shot.

Setting up the shot

There is no use in waiting for a cricketer to bowl a ball if you have no idea at which end his is starting. A little bit of pre-planning will go a long way in ensure the mood is correctly captured. Anticipate movement in a certain direction, or set up the camera where you are confident a skateboarder or horse rider will come by. It is also worth checking out the background and lighting before you take any pictures. A great shot can quickly be ruined if the background doesn’t compliment the foreground – such as a dustbin or someone picking their nose.

Freezing the action

Once you have your subject in mind and set up at the desired location, take some time to consider what type of shot you are after. Freezing the action is a great way to capture objects in mid-air, mid-stride or mid-jump without blurring the image. For this, you will need to set up your camera to make use of a fast shutter speed, something in line with 1/1000 or 1/2000. If the image comes out too dark, try adjusting the f/stop to open wider so that more light will be let in, like f2.8 or f4.

Blurring the action

If you want to give the subject the illusion of movement, then blurring the subject will be your best bet. In doing so, a portion of the subject will remain in focus, while other parts will be blurred – creating the motion-blur effect. It’s great to illustrate how fast something is moving, but that also creates a problem. By using a slower shutter speed (in the region of about 1/250 or 1/500), you will have to pan in the same direction as the movement. That way the camera will still capture the object in sharp detail, while blurring out everything else that wasn’t moving. It’s a good idea to track your subject first before taking the initial shots. And remember to put the camera on burst mode, otherwise you’ll end up with just one photo, and possibly a missed opportunity.

Water

Water in all its flowing glory might seem like a daunting task for any photographer. We have all seen the images where a waterfall looks like a veil of silk running off a high ledge, but if you follow the same principles detailed, you shouldn’t have any issues. Deciding on whether to freeze the water in mid-fall, or blurring it will come into question, but for the silky effect blurring is the one. But instead of panning your camera, just use a slow shutter and take the image from a stable vantage point – or make use of a steady tripod.

Patience

Getting the principles right can lead to rewarding images, but as with anything photography related, the more you practice the better you will become. And this is where a great deal of patience come it: nobody will get the prefect freeze-frame on their first try, so just stick with it and practice on smaller objects, like pets. Once the basics have been mastered, progressively move towards more ambitious project, and before you know it you will be in the same league as the professionals.

[Image – Charlie Fripp]

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