In my last post I wrote about going to a car show, but what I failed to mention was that the show featured drag races and tire burnouts. So how do you capture a 9.8-second quarter mile finish on film? Your best bet is the sports mode.
This setting does several things to speed up the function of the camera and somehow freeze the action your eyes processes. One of the cool things about the sports mode (which is featured on most modern digital cameras) is that it can be used to capture any kind of action.
What the Sports Mode Does:
* Increases the ISO (kind of like getting a higher film speed for your 35mm cameras) to let more light into the camera.
* Increases the shutter speed, which helps freeze the action, because the image is captured in a more defined space of time.
* Increases the number of frames per second it can shoot continuously.
What if your camera doesn’t have a sports mode? Well, you’re in luck. By bumping up the ISO and increasing your shutter speed, you also have the chance to catch all the action. It will just take a little more preparation before the action starts.
With these things in mind, you can understand what your camera is doing and use it to its best ability to get clearer shots of running kids, speeding cars, or even a raucous game of ping pong. You can also do a few things to increase your chances of great shots. Try keeping the action in the middle or even the back of the image (so it looks like your little one is running somewhere, not just out of the photo). Do this by anticipating the action.
Another great way to capture the best shots is by using the biggest lens you have (if your camera has interchangeable lenses). This allows you to get closer to the action without getting in the way.
Next time you find you find the need for speed, try your hand with your camera’s sports mode!
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