MY 4YR OLD IS TAKING TAE KWON DO AND I WANT TO GET BETTER SHOTS First of all, decide if using flash is an option. Some sports and venues won't allow it because it disturbs the participants.
If not, then set your ISO higher, to 1600 or so. Set your camera to A (aperture-prefered) mode or Sports/Action mode. If you set your lens to it's widest aperture, you will loose depth of field, but you will gain the highest shutter speed to freeze action. A tripod would probably be awkward, so I'd suggest getting a monopod, as that will help you brace the camera, but is mobile enough for you to change position quickly.
All of this is assuming that you are using your current lens or lenses. If you are looking to upgrade, check lenses with larger apertures (f/2.8) or the new Sigma 18-200mm with Image Stability. Much of your lens buying decision will depend on how far away you are. As a parent, I know you want to be discrete (yeah, right), but find a position front and center, before the event begins. Have extra batteries and memory cards as needed.
When following the action, don't! Don't follow, but instead anticipate and lead. If you can stay ahead of or with the action, you won't miss that great shot. One more thing. Don't zoom in too tightly. It's tough to follow sports action (I could tell you stories) when you lose the subject in the viewfinder! You can always crop later in the computer.
Be sure to use a post-processing program like Noiseware (my favorite) which fine tunes your high ISO image so that it looks sharper.
Oh yes, and always take many, many more pictures than you think are necessary. Set your camera for rapid sequence shooting and keep that shutter button down! get closer! may have to step ISO up a bit (dont go above 400)
use lights, use bigger appeture (F2-F4ish)
fast shutter like 125+ will freeze most kicks (hay-ya-sensei) etc
slower shuter like 60th and less will blur movement
USE A TRIPOD?monopod |
