More test pictures (action shots)

[Giselle]

Thanks! I'm really trying not to take any more 'panning with objects' because that's easy enough. What's difficult is actually freezing the action, and that's what I'm really aiming for.

No, I can't use the LCD screen to shoot pictures. Giselle was just too close. She always moves in on me when I take pictures.

[Catlady711]

If freezing the action is what you're looking for then you'll need a faster shutter speed to eliminate the leg blur (the way you did with the digging shots).

If you can't actually up the shutter speed without sacrificing your depth of field then try upping the ISO instead.

Good luck, can't wait to see more pix!

[K9karen]

You're kidding, right? I think your pictures are great. Heck, you've seen mine!

Who hasn't cut off a paw now and then? I think your crew is lovely! Love a digger! (as long as it's not in my yard..thank you very much my Logan)

[Almita]

Those look great!
Hope too see more
You should take some of your lil' munchkin too

[.sarah]

You're just using the kit lens, right? Chances are, you won't be able to freeze action with it. I know I'm shooting Canon, but the kit lens with the Rebel just won't do that, it's not fast enough. What kind of lens is it, exactly?

My action lens is a f/1.8, I tend to have it around f/2-2.5 when I'm shooting action (most lenses are not completely sharp when they are wide open - which is the lowest f-stop they can get to. In this case, my lens can get to 1.8). Typically you should have your shutter speed around 1/1000 but depending on how fast your subject is moving you may be able to get away with a smaller number.

Bumping the ISO up alone will probably not get you a very sharp picture. But like Catlady mentioned, when you speed up your shutter you will need to open up your f-stop. Speeding up the shutter will make your pictures darker, and then in turn you will need to open up your f-stop to let in more light. But, this causes you to have a very shallow depth of field. Unfortunately this makes it hard to get the shot because it is hard to focus fast enough to get, say, the dog's face in focus. There are lots of shots I have with the dogs coming at me at full speed and I have their chests in focus because I just couldn't focus and click fast enough. This is what makes actions shots so difficult and, for many photographers, so desirable. However I must say shooting humans vs. 4-legged animals is much easier because you have much less depth to a person vs. a dog or cat who is coming at you.

I'm the same way though - I like the action to be frozen totally and everything in focus. I hate it even when I get a shot that is totally in focus except for a foot or something.

By the way, feel free to PM me if you have any questions. I won't be able to help you with things specific to Nikon but I can help you with settings and such if you'd like.

And also, I think these are a really, really great start. I don't know if I ever got pictures that sharp from my kit lens, though I'm not sure how mine compares to Nikon's. It wasn't until I got a better lens and learned how to have control of my settings that I started getting sharp action shots. And I'm still not satisfied - I'm totally eyeing an L glass lens, but seeing as it is over $1,000, it will be a while before I can get it! I'm looking to sell some equipment soon to figure out a way to pay for it though, haha.

[Giselle]

Thanks guys! Yeah, I shot those with the kit lens, but I have another lens:
"55-200mm f/4-5.6G IF-ED AF-S
DX VR Zoom-NIKKOR Lens"

Not too sure how that all works together. Not even sure if the latter lens will help me shoot action shots. Sarah?

Thanks for the info on shutter speed/aperture. I did bump up the ISO but it didn't help too much. I think it's just mostly a matter of understanding my camera's settings and, as always, diligent practice. At least I have lots of opportunities to shoot the pups though!

[Catlady711]

There are lots of shots I have with the dogs coming at me at full speed and I have their chests in focus because I just couldn't focus and click fast enough.

Does your camera have an 'Al Servo' focus setting? My XTi has that and it continues to track the focus right up until the shutter opens which means it should have a moving object in focus. It eliminates being able to do the focus lock and you have to keep your subject in the center but if it's a matter of getting the shot or not you could always crop it later.