Larry Grayam

When photographing action we have a choice of stopping, or freezing the action, or allowing some degree of blurring to impart the idea of motion. So after choosing an approach we must understand how the camera sees action. The important factors are the speed and direction of travel of the subject. It is easier to capture, movement directly into or away from the camera, using slower shutter speeds, while action moving perpendicular to the lens axis typically requires a higher shutter speed to stop or freeze.

Try this experiment on a city street photograph someone walking straight towards you at 1/60sec. Notice that the image is mostly captured intact. Try again at 1/125sec and 1/250sec. to see the difference. Now repeat the same with a subject moving from left to right and notice the blurring of the hands and feet. Try again at faster shutter speeds to get a feel for what you can capture. Try the same with a moving car or motorcyclist. You will soon get a feel for what shutter speed is required to stop the action.

This motorcycle racer was captured at 1/250sec but notice the blurring of the wheels as they are travelling faster than the main subject.

You may want to show some blurring of the action if so then slow down the shutter speed. So when, a camera is held in a static position the background may record sharply but the moving object will blur. Or try panning, moving the camera in sync with the moving object, to give the prime subject a sharper image while blurring the background. Panning can be difficult requiring significant hand =eye coordination. Pick up and follow the moving subject before you trip the shutter and hold the follow thru for a couple of seconds after taking the photo.

Panning the camera and shooting at 1/60sec managed a sharp capture of the carnival ride while blurring the faster moving silhouettes of the riders.

And of course we have seen the many images from a tripod mounted camera focused on the falling or rushing waters of a wild land stream. So make the decision to freeze the action or let it blur.

So go shoot some action and enjoy that camera-Larry Grayam