Capturing moving subjects with precision can be challenging, but it’s a skill that can be mastered with the right knowledge and equipment.
Whether you’re shooting fast-moving athletes, wildlife in action, or children running around, the ability to freeze the motion with sharp detail can elevate your photography.
In this guide, we’ll explore the techniques that can help you photograph moving subjects effectively, and we’ll also discuss some of the equipment that can make a significant difference in your results.
Understanding Motion in Photography
Before diving into the technical aspects, it’s important to understand the basic principles of motion in photography. When a subject moves, the challenge is to capture it without blur or loss of detail.
The most common methods of freezing motion involve adjusting your camera settings, but equipment plays a major role in helping you get the results you desire.
When photographing moving subjects, two main elements come into play: shutter speed and focus.
The shutter speed determines how long the camera sensor is exposed to light, and faster shutter speeds can freeze motion. Focus, particularly autofocus, ensures that the moving subject stays sharp throughout the shot.
Key Camera Settings for Action Photography
One of the first things you’ll want to get comfortable with is the exposure triangle: aperture, shutter speed, and ISO. Understanding how to balance these settings will give you control over how you capture motion.
- Shutter Speed
A fast shutter speed is crucial for freezing motion. To capture fast-moving subjects clearly, aim for shutter speeds of 1/500s to 1/2000s, depending on the speed of the subject. For example, a car moving at high speed will require a faster shutter speed (around 1/1000s) than a person walking (1/500s might be sufficient). - Aperture
The aperture controls the depth of field in your image. A wide aperture (f/2.8 to f/4) can help blur the background, isolating your subject and making it stand out. However, a smaller aperture (f/8 or higher) will provide more depth of field, ensuring that even fast-moving subjects are captured in sharp detail across the frame. - ISO
ISO impacts how sensitive your camera is to light. For action shots, you may need to increase the ISO to ensure your shutter speed is fast enough, especially when you’re shooting in low light. However, higher ISOs can introduce noise, so finding a balance is important.
Choosing the Right Autofocus Mode
Autofocus (AF) is a key feature when photographing moving subjects. Most modern cameras come with several autofocus modes, and choosing the right one can make a big difference in your results.
- Continuous Autofocus (AI Servo for Canon, AF-C for Nikon and Sony)
This mode is designed for tracking moving subjects. It constantly adjusts the focus as the subject moves, ensuring that the subject stays sharp. This is ideal for photographing sports or animals in motion. - Single Autofocus (One-Shot AF for Canon, AF-S for Nikon and Sony)
Single autofocus is typically used for stationary subjects. While it can be useful for some types of action, it won’t work as well for moving subjects since it locks the focus in place once it’s set. - Tracking Mode
Some cameras have tracking modes that combine continuous autofocus with face or object tracking. This is especially useful when shooting unpredictable movement, like a child running around or a bird flying through the frame.
Panning: The Art of Motion Blur
Sometimes, the goal isn’t to freeze the action but to convey movement. Panning is a technique that involves moving the camera along with the subject, creating a sense of motion while keeping the subject sharp and the background blurred. This is particularly effective for subjects like race cars or cyclists.
To get the perfect panning shot, follow these steps:
- Choose a slower shutter speed (1/250s to 1/500s) to allow motion blur in the background while keeping the subject in focus.
- Keep the camera steady and move it smoothly in the direction of the subject’s movement. It helps to practice the motion without the camera first to get a feel for the rhythm.
- Focus on your subject, and use continuous autofocus (AI Servo/AF-C mode) to track them as you pan.
Using Burst Mode for Action Shots
Burst mode is a great way to capture fast action. When you press the shutter button, the camera takes a series of shots in quick succession. This increases your chances of getting a perfectly timed image when photographing fast-moving subjects.
Burst mode is especially useful for unpredictable movements, such as sports or wildlife. Set your camera to continuous shooting and hold down the shutter button to capture a series of images. Later, you can select the best one from the burst.
Ideal Lenses for Capturing Motion
The lens you use plays a significant role in how you photograph moving subjects. A lens with a fast autofocus system and a wide aperture will be your best friend when shooting action.
- Telephoto Lenses
A telephoto lens, such as a 70-200mm f/2.8, allows you to zoom in on distant subjects while keeping the background blurred. This is particularly useful for sports, wildlife, or any scenario where you can’t get close to the subject. These lenses also offer a fast aperture, allowing you to maintain a shallow depth of field for great subject isolation. - Prime Lenses
A prime lens with a wide aperture, such as a 50mm f/1.8 or 85mm f/1.4, is perfect for low-light situations and achieving sharp focus on your subject. While you won’t have the zoom flexibility of a telephoto lens, prime lenses are often faster and provide better image quality. - Wide-Angle Lenses
Wide-angle lenses are ideal for capturing the motion of subjects in action while showing the environment around them. These lenses are great for street photography or any situation where you want to emphasize both the subject and its surroundings.
Equipment to Improve Action Photography
Certain pieces of equipment can make capturing moving subjects much easier. Below are a few products that can help improve your action photography, all of which are available for purchase online.
- Canon EOS R6 Mark II Mirrorless Camera The Canon EOS R6 Mark II is an excellent camera for action shots, with fast autofocus, a high burst rate, and great low-light performance. The camera’s continuous autofocus and subject-tracking capabilities make it perfect for fast-moving subjects. It’s built for serious action photographers, whether you’re capturing sports, wildlife, or anything else in motion.
- Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM Sports Lens A high-quality telephoto lens is essential for action photography, and the Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 is a fantastic choice. It’s fast, sharp, and ideal for freezing motion while maintaining a shallow depth of field. The lens is also equipped with optical stabilization, helping you avoid blurry images even when shooting handheld.
- Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM Lens If you’re using a Canon camera, the RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM lens is a top choice for action photography. Its fast aperture and high-quality optics allow you to capture sharp images with excellent subject isolation. The lens is lightweight for its class and features image stabilization for smoother shots.
- Manfrotto MT055CXPRO4 Carbon Fiber Tripod While tripods aren’t typically used for fast-moving subjects, they are still useful when you want to get more stability for slower-moving subjects or panning shots. The Manfrotto MT055CXPRO4 is a sturdy carbon fiber tripod that provides excellent support while remaining lightweight and portable.
- Peak Design Capture Camera Clip If you’re on the go and need quick access to your camera, the Peak Design Capture Camera Clip is an excellent accessory. It allows you to attach your camera to your bag strap, keeping it safe and easily accessible when you’re out shooting fast action.
3 Final Tips for Photographing Moving Subjects
- Anticipate the Action
One of the most important skills for photographing moving subjects is anticipation. Try to predict where the subject is going to be and when it will be in the right spot. This takes practice, but over time you’ll get better at predicting the action and being ready to capture it. - Use the Right Focus Area
When using autofocus, ensure you’re using the correct focus area. For moving subjects, a small, single-point autofocus setting might be too limiting. Instead, use an expanded or zone focus setting to track your subject more effectively. - Practice, Practice, Practice
Photography is a skill that improves with practice. The more you shoot moving subjects, the more comfortable you’ll become with the settings and techniques. Don’t be discouraged if your first attempts aren’t perfect—keep experimenting until you get the results you want.
Conclusion
Photographing moving subjects requires both technical knowledge and the right equipment. By mastering key camera settings, choosing the right lens, and using autofocus effectively, you can capture fast-moving subjects with precision.
With the right tools, such as advanced cameras, fast lenses, and accessories, your ability to freeze motion or create dynamic, blurred backgrounds will improve dramatically.
Practice and patience are key to mastering the art of action photography, but with these techniques and equipment, you’ll be well on your way to stunning results.