Shooting Action Photography

Skunkabilly · June 22, 2002, 03:02 AM

What's the best shutter speed to set to dramatically catch brass flying out of the action at a match? Should I set shutter speed priority and let the camera worry about focus, aperture, etc.?

I have a Canon G2 Tactical.

dZ · June 22, 2002, 10:01 AM

the basic formula is:
bright light
fast film
faster shutter
freezes action

the lens aperature will effect depth of field

on a digital camera theres no film speed to consider

Mute · June 23, 2002, 07:23 PM

You want at the minimum 1/1000th shutter speed. Faster if your camera has the range.

KSFreeman · June 23, 2002, 07:43 PM

Don't forget the flowered shirts!

Bogie · June 24, 2002, 02:02 PM

Actually, I _like_ a little blur - Gives more of a hint of action...

Schmit · June 24, 2002, 07:15 PM

It also helps if your camera has an auto advance motor. Hold the sutter release down and let her rip.

If you want to set up a "static" shot with brass flying in the air from a semi-auto here is what you do. Get two empty cases. Have the shooter aim in on something. Stand the two empty cases on the top of the slide. Step back, focus, then count to three and have him fire as you trip the shutter.

I've taken a lot of pics at matches. I'd say about one out of five or so (give or take) I get "action" (i.e. brass in the air, slide unlocked, slide back and brass comming out the ejection port, etc.

If you do the math and I shoot 3 rolls of 36 exposure figure about 20 (on the high side) "cool" shots.

But to hedge you chances use a high shutter speed with an auto drive.

Tamara · June 24, 2002, 07:18 PM

Ditto what Schmit said: good action photos come from taking lots of action photos.

June 22, 2002, 03:02 AM	#1
Skunkabilly Senior Member Join Date: December 1, 2001 Location: Land of stinky cabbage and potable rubbing alcohol Posts: 2,132	Shooting Action Photography What's the best shutter speed to set to dramatically catch brass flying out of the action at a match? Should I set shutter speed priority and let the camera worry about focus, aperture, etc.? I have a Canon G2 Tactical. __________________ Skunky's World of Mud and Guts and Barbecue Sauce: www.skunkabilly.com "Stupid American! There's no bloody sales tax for tea in Hong Kong. Didn't you start a war over a tea tax?" -- Hong Kong tea merchant

June 22, 2002, 10:01 AM	#2
dZ Senior Member Join Date: June 1, 1999 Location: Exiled, Fetid Swamp, DC Posts: 7,549	the basic formula is: bright light fast film faster shutter freezes action the lens aperature will effect depth of field on a digital camera theres no film speed to consider __________________ "O tell the Lacedomecians to damn the torpedoes." BOTR, Chapter V: Some Monsters

June 23, 2002, 07:43 PM	#4
KSFreeman Senior Member Join Date: June 9, 2001 Location: Lafayette, Indiana--American-occupied America Posts: 5,424	Don't forget the flowered shirts! __________________ "Arguments of policy must give way to a constitutional command." Payton v. New York, 445 U.S. 573, 602 (1980).

June 24, 2002, 02:02 PM	#5
Bogie Senior Member Join Date: June 6, 2000 Location: Job hunting on the road... Posts: 3,828	Actually, I _like_ a little blur - Gives more of a hint of action... __________________ Job hunting, but helping a friend out at www.vikingmachineusa.com - and learning the finer aspects of becoming a precision machinist. And making the world's greatest bottle openers!

June 24, 2002, 07:15 PM	#6
Schmit Staff Alumnus Join Date: March 11, 1999 Location: Masquito infested flatlands of Mid-FL Posts: 1,858	It also helps if your camera has an auto advance motor. Hold the sutter release down and let her rip. If you want to set up a "static" shot with brass flying in the air from a semi-auto here is what you do. Get two empty cases. Have the shooter aim in on something. Stand the two empty cases on the top of the slide. Step back, focus, then count to three and have him fire as you trip the shutter. I've taken a lot of pics at matches. I'd say about one out of five or so (give or take) I get "action" (i.e. brass in the air, slide unlocked, slide back and brass comming out the ejection port, etc. If you do the math and I shoot 3 rolls of 36 exposure figure about 20 (on the high side) "cool" shots. But to hedge you chances use a high shutter speed with an auto drive. __________________ Schmit GySgt, USMC(Ret) "Notoriety is fleeting, Anonymity is forever!"

June 23, 2002, 07:23 PM	#3
Mute Senior Member Join Date: October 23, 1998 Location: Diamond Bar, CA Posts: 852	You want at the minimum 1/1000th shutter speed. Faster if your camera has the range.

June 24, 2002, 07:18 PM	#7
Tamara Moderator Emeritus Join Date: March 11, 2000 Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 15,858	Ditto what Schmit said: good action photos come from taking lots of action photos. __________________ MOLON LABE! 2% Unobtainium, 98% Hypetanium. The Arms Room: An Online Museum.