Pixtus - Photography Forum, Photographers, Photo Tips

bratz4us · **Need Idoor Tae Kwon Do photo tips -** 06-06-2011, 08:46 AM

I have a Nikon D 3000 and a Nikon D50 I really want to get Good Action Shots at My Children's TAEKWONDO Classes and Tests any SUGESSTIONS? As most of my Good Shots come out Blurred same as Their baseball One I am getting frustrated..lol Any Help Is appreciated deeply

Mom In Need Of Help!

groovyone · 06-06-2011, 08:48 AM

Do you have any photos you can share? If we know the EXIF data, which contains the camera settings, it would help.

Typically you need the fastest shutter speed you can get, so you may need to try increasing your ISO level, and make sure your aperture is wide open.

Abel · 06-06-2011, 08:54 AM

moving to appropriate section so thread will get more feedback..

KenJulio · 06-06-2011, 09:28 AM

As Keith(groovyone) mentioned, you'll want a faster shutterspeed to freeze the action. If the lighting isn't bright enough to get the higher shutter speed, then you'll want to increase your ISO.

I'm assuming you're shooting with the lenses that came with the bodies? 18-55 and 55-200?

Charles Putnam · 06-06-2011, 09:38 AM

I'm assuming that you're shooting TKD indoors. Sports requires the use of a fast shutter speed. You'll have to bump the ISO up to 1600 or 3200 in order to get a fast enough shutter speed to stop the action.

Note that the higher ISO will introduce noise, so whatever program you're using, it should include a noise reduction filter, or consider purchasing a 3rd party filter to handle this.

bratz4us · 06-06-2011, 01:42 PM

Sorry I am New Here How Do I post Pics So You can see?

Thanks Everyone for answers
I am shooting Indoors under low lights I am new to the Nikon D3000 So will need to look it over i think the Iso only goes to 1600 OR OPTION HI 1 and I can't get distance at all unless it's close up to subject..

the lens that came with it is a AF-S NIKKOR 18-55MM 1:3.5-5.6G

Once I know How To post I will post a Pic n the setting used for that picture

bratz4us · 06-06-2011, 01:44 PM

Oh I also Use Paint Shop Pro Photo X2 to Edit n stuff is That a Good Program?

bratz4us · 06-06-2011, 01:58 PM

Oh sorry again i have been takin in M mode also if That makes a Difference?
Thanks Everyone That is Helping? Ok I just Tried to take a test shot with ISO sensitivity at 800 and MAX sensitivity 800 Min Shutter speed 1/15 1/200 f7.1

StevenGWebb · 06-06-2011, 02:39 PM

Using M Manual mode is going to require your knowing how to balance the f-stop and shutter speed against the ISO. I'm not clear on your description of the settings. There is a lot of difference in 1/15 and 1/200 and f7.1 seems way to small an aperture.

Give this a try: Set your ISO to it's highest number setting, Set your metering mode to matrix, Put your mode dial in "A" and set your f-stop to the lowest number available (it's probably going to be 5.6). Now look through the viewfinder and focus. Look at the shutter speed display for the shutter speed. That will tell you how much motion blur to expect. If the shutter speed is 1/500 you may be safe for stopping body and face motion, the hands and feet might show motion blur as they move very fast. As the shutter speed becomes slower more of the blur from motion will be recorded in the image.

There are some other things to consider:
The shaking of your hands can cause a blur of its own. The general rule of thumb is this, 1/focal length ( for a 200 mm lens that's 1/200) is the slowest shutter speed for hand holding. So, if you are forced into using shutter speeds slower then you'll want support for the camera. You could brace yourself against a wall, find a surface to sit the camera on, or use a monopod or tripod. This will NOT stop your fast moving subject from causing blur but will insure that the motion is the only thing being blurred. Motion blur can be dramatic and artistic when it's isolated to only a portion of the picture, like the blur of a kick or punch when the body and face are sharp. A good stable support for your camera will help isolate where the blur occurs.

Make certain your camera holding is stable. Cradle the lens with your left hand from beneath and rest your elbow against your body. If you hold the lens from the side with your elbow sticking out, your camera isn't well supported. You're also prone to getting bumped into by passers by. And finally, press the shutter button, don't punch it down. It's easy to get excited while taking pictures of action (esp when its your own child in the shot) and the mere action of tripping the shutter release can cause blur, especially on long exposures. I normally have my shutter in the half-press condition prior to making the exposure, then its just a gentle touch of pressure to get the job done.

Hope that helps.

Steve