Quote Originally Posted by Giselle
Okay, let me see:
Focal Length: 100mm
Aperture: F9
Shutter speed: 1/250
ISO: 800

I had it on the shutter setting, so I'm pretty sure that I just needed to bump up the shutter speed. But, on the other hand, I was afraid I'd bump it up too much and then the pictures would turn out all dark I just need to experiment more

To freeze action completely like that you'd need a shutter speed of around 1/500 of a second or better. Try brighter daylight when you shoot would help a bit. From the shadows (or at times lack of shadows) I'm gathering that it was either overcast, shaded or late afternoon when you shot these.

If you were running full manual the pix might come out dark if you don't adjust the other settings to compensate and the exposures on those pix look great. Nice clarity at ISO 800.

Open up the aperature more to say F/7.1 or 6.3 That would allow more light into the camera which would increase your shutter speed without sacrificing alot of your depth of field. Only other alternatives are to increase your ISO to 1600 if you camera has that option to increase shutter speed, or moving in closer with a wider lens which would allow a larger aperature and blocks less light. Does that make sense?