Another attempt at action shots!

[Catlady711]

Aww, thanks guys. If you look closely at the feet, none of them are clear I'm still trying to figure out how to get nice, crisp photos.

I'm using a Nikon D40x

What is the Exif data from the pix? You can get that by accessing the details area when viewing your pix in camera, or by right clicking the pix in your cpu and clicking properties. The important parts are: focal length, shutter speed, aperature and ISO.

I'm guessing either you need to bump up your ISO, close down your aperature (looks like you might have had it open quite a bit in the pix) or increase your shutter speed. Without the data I can't help much more than that.

[shepgirl]

All I can say is that if I could get my pictures to look that great I would be one happy person. I love the one the other poster posted, your dog looks as if it's coming right into the camera.

[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

[Catlady711]

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?

[Giselle]

Yep, thanks! It makes perfect sense. The only thing is, some of your suggestions I'd have to do in complete Manual mode, but I'm not completely up for that yet (especially not in fast action shots ). I do plan to play with the Manual mode with still objects, but we'll see how that turns out. I do have ISO 1600 but I was worried that such a high ISO would make it grainy. (Would it??)

I worry a lot!

So the gist of it is: bump up the shutter speed and allow more light. Got it

[Catlady711]

Yep, thanks! It makes perfect sense. The only thing is, some of your suggestions I'd have to do in complete Manual mode, but I'm not completely up for that yet (especially not in fast action shots ). I do plan to play with the Manual mode with still objects, but we'll see how that turns out. I do have ISO 1600 but I was worried that such a high ISO would make it grainy. (Would it??)

I worry a lot!

So the gist of it is: bump up the shutter speed and allow more light. Got it

Honestly your pix are very clear and sharp for 800 ISO (acutally I had originally guessed 200 ISO) so I wouldn't think that 1600 should make a huge difference.

If you are running in shutter priority mode just set the shutter for 1/500 and see what kind of exposures you get. Once you get some exposures you like you can always put those same settings in manual then 'tweak' them as you see fit. I do that sometimes using the other modes to get basic exposures then going to manual with those settings to 'tweak'.

Higher shutter speeds will require more light so yup that's the basics.

[Daisy and Delilah]

Awesome shots!! I think they're great! I can't believe how graceful and elegant Ivy is. She has learned such grace and form from her gorgeous sister Giselle possibly? Both pups are perfect examples of healthy, beautiful dogs.