Freeze!

A lot of Moms get frustrated with out of focus images when trying to capture their kids in action.  We all know that kids don’t sit still for a second!  A little motion blur can be okay.  But, we’ve all had those disappointing moments when we see that an image is completely out of focus.  Here are some tips to capture your crazy kids:

1)  It’s important to learn how to shoot in Manual mode.  In automatic your camera can lie to you.  I know.  Not cool!  It may not know exactly what you are trying to do.  With Manual YOU are in control!  If you are shooting in auto, make sure that you have the mode set to “action”.  The icon usually looks like a guy running.

2)  Make sure your shutter speed isn’t too low!  If your shutter speed is too low it won’t freeze the action.

3)  Make sure your aperture isn’t too wide.  The lower the aperture number, the harder it will be to get your image in focus.

4)  Take a ton of pictures!  That’s the great thing about digital.  Shoot a lot and trash the images that don’t turn out!  Remember that even professionals don’t get every single frame spot on.  The more you shoot the more likely you are to get a few images that are perfect!

Brayden is really at an age where he does not like to have his picture taken.  That’s not a lot of fun for a Mom*tog.  I knew that I would have one chance to get this shot of him running around the corner in his Dad’s shirt and tie.  I tested out my light on Hauggy right before Brayden turned the corner to make sure that I would get it right.  You can see the motion in his feet and the shirt, but his face is in focus.  I had my shutter speed high enough where there wouldn’t be too much motion blue.  My aperture was at f 2.0.  I shoot at 2.0 all the time so it’s easy for me to do.  For beginners you’ll probably want to stay at a higher aperture (around F 2.8) until you’ve practiced a lot!  You have to be spot on with your focus to shoot at a wide aperture so practice, practice, practice!

There are toys everywhere.  The carpet is dirty (getting new carpet next week!).  It’s not a perfect shot.  But, it’s a memory.  Chuck comes home from work and Brayden says, “Daddy!  You change clothes!”.  They go into the bedroom.  I hear laughter.  Brayden comes running around the corner wearing his Dad’s shirt like a superhero cape.  He’s happy.  And that’s what I love about this image.

F 2.0, 1/320, ISO  320

*** There are more specifics on everything in this post in the UNmanual.