How to shoot a moving object

Lead: In order to present a clear dynamic subject, fast shutter speed and accurate focusing are two indispensable elements. With the proper performance of hand-held camera, you can easily get wonderful dynamic images. In addition, dynamic photography can also be a display of personal creativity. As long as the shutter speed is used flexibly, it can bring out an image effect completely different from ordinary visual experience.

Only with sufficient shutter speed can the dynamic moment of the subject be condensed in the picture. For children and pets who shoot the most frequently in life, the shutter speed should be controlled at least at1160seconds, and sometimes it even takes1/250s or faster to cope with their sudden instantaneous actions. The faster the shutter speed, the more secure the presentation of dynamic pictures, which depends on whether the ambient light source is sufficient, or relying on large aperture and high ISO to improve the light intake.

Another advantage of high-speed shutter is that it can avoid hand shock, especially when capturing real-time images. In desperation, people often only focus on pressing the shutter and ignore the stability of the hand-held camera, resulting in blurred images. As long as the shutter speed is fast enough, the success rate of shooting can often be guaranteed. But in any case, remember that holding the camera steady is the first step to take a clear image.

▲ Dynamic photography is not only a high-speed condensation, but a slow shutter can create another picture presentation. Sony A99+ carl zeiss VARIO-SONNART *16-35mm F2.8ZA16mm terminal. Aperture F6.3, shutter 1 sec, ISO 100, automatic white balance, S shutter prerequisite, RAW to JPEG.

Facing the dynamic subject, in addition to using high-speed shutter to condense the moment, we can also do the opposite and use slow shutter to enhance the dynamic feeling of the picture. Common applications are like shooting people on the street, showing the busy rhythm in the city with the gesture of people flow, or presenting the impression of fiction and fact. Generally speaking, it takes about115 seconds to 1/4 seconds to achieve "ghost" motion, and the shutter speed can be adjusted according to the number and density of the crowd. When shooting such subjects, it is recommended to use a tripod or rely on railings, walls and other stable objects to avoid hand shock.

In addition, when you travel by car, slow down the shutter speed to blur the scenery outside the window, which will make you feel more like traveling than just condensation. Others such as streams and waterfalls, car tracks? It is also suitable for shooting subjects, such as creating an image effect completely different from the general visual experience through a slow shutter.

▲ The faster the shutter speed, the safer the dynamic picture display. Sony A99+70-400mm4-400m5.6g SSM terminal. Aperture F5.6, shutter 1/500 seconds, ISO 1000, automatic white balance, aperture priority, RAW to JPEG.

Continuous shooting and continuous focusing

Dynamic photography requires more focus. Even if there is enough shutter speed, if the focal length is not aligned, it is still futile. This is not only a test of equipment performance, but also a challenge to photographers. In addition to being familiar with the equipment, you must rely on your own shooting experience to be competent for ever-changing dynamic shooting. When shooting a moving subject, you can choose AF-C (continuous autofocus) in focus mode, and then move with the speed and direction of the subject after half pressing the shutter, so that you can shoot a good dynamic image, and even use the high-speed continuous shooting function to improve the success rate of shooting.

Take Sony a99 as an example. In addition to AF-C mode, a more powerful AF-D mode can be used in some lens matching situations. At the same time of continuous autofocus, 102 auxiliary focus points work at the same time. This "double phase difference autofocus system" makes dynamic photography easier. In addition, the choice of focus mode and focus area can be switched by the "silent controller" in front of the fuselage, so that the eyes can complete the operation without leaving the viewfinder, and you will not miss any wonderful moments in the face of ever-changing dynamic subjects.

▲ The focus mode can be quickly switched through the mute controller.

▲ Through continuous shooting and continuous focusing, you can capture a series of dynamic pictures.

Neodymium reduction mirror

In the case of sufficient light, even if the aperture and ISO are set to the minimum, the shutter speed obtained is still not enough to show the effect of flow. So when shooting crowds or streams? ... and so on, you will often need the assistance of nd antireflection mirror to realize the application of slow shutter.

Familiar with environment and discipline trends

To capture wonderful dynamic pictures, the most important thing is to master the shutter timing. Besides luck, it depends on the photographer's familiarity with the environment and main trends. The most obvious example is the shooting of sports competitions. Usually, key pictures come in a hurry and quickly. Therefore, photographers must be familiar with the rules to interpret the situation and rhythm of the competition, so that they can have a chance to aim at the moment when the wonderful moment happens. In addition to sports events, shooting ecology, flying feathers and even children and pets also requires a certain degree of understanding of the subject. For the picture that needs to wait patiently, if you are afraid that the autofocus response will not come over, you can preset the active area of the subject first, fix the focal length with manual focusing, and wait for the opportunity to come.

Target tracking function

When the focus mode is set to AF-C or AF-D, you can also turn on the "subject tracking function" to make the camera automatically lock the target and track the focus, further improving the shooting success rate. If you want to catch people, you can also set priority to track faces. Even if the face disappears from the picture, the camera will continue to track the body until the face appears, which is suitable for dynamic portraits or children's photography. The following example is to capture the instantaneous charm of the model when walking. Turn on the "subject tracking function" and "face tracking first" in the process, and shoot with low-speed continuous shooting. Overall, the success rate is not bad. You can choose 1 or 2 satisfactory works from several photos, but you should avoid tracking in several extreme cases, such as the subject is too small or too big, moving too fast, having poor contrast with the background, being in a dark environment, and even the change of ambient light will have an impact. Therefore, the "subject tracking function" is regarded as an auxiliary function and must be turned on as appropriate to play its maximum function.

▲ Turn on the subject tracking function, and the green box on the screen will keep tracking and focusing.

▲ Open continuous shooting, and you can have more choices when choosing photos.

Limit autofocus range

In addition to AF-D, limiting the autofocus range is also the exclusive function of a99, which can avoid focusing on meaningless foreground and background. When used with AF-D and AF-C, the focusing efficiency can be greatly improved, which is very helpful for dynamic photography. In the past, this function was only seen on high-order and telephoto lenses, but now it will have greater application flexibility if it is built into the fuselage. However, a prerequisite for using AF range is to master the motion range and direction of the subject. For example, because of the fixed action range, the boxer in the boxing ring can limit the autofocus range to prevent focusing on the audience behind or acting as a loop rope in the foreground. The AF range can also greatly improve the continuous shooting accuracy. As long as the distance between the camera and the subject doesn't change too much, you can avoid focusing on other places in continuous shooting.

▲ Turn on the subject tracking function, and the `green box on the screen will always track and focus.

Focus pursuit presents a sense of speed.

In addition to the instant cohesion of the subject, you can also create a sense of speed through the technique of "swinging the mirror". This technique of chasing focus is often used to shoot vehicles, which makes the picture full of motion. In order to take a focused photo, the camera setting can be said to be a collection of previous research. Shutter speed determines the fluidity of the background. Generally speaking, if it is controlled within 1/60 seconds, the fluency will be more obvious, but be careful not to exceed the hand-held limit, especially when shooting, the camera will move with the subject. Too slow shutter speed is easy to cause hand shock and affect the success rate of shooting.

The focus mode should be set to AF-C or AF-D, so that the camera can focus on the subject continuously and present the subject clearly in a dynamic moment. Then turn on the high-speed continuous shooting to increase the shooting success rate. Pay attention to the writing speed of the memory card. It is recommended to use an advanced memory card to make the continuous shooting process smoother. After the camera is set, it is time to test the photographer's skill of "posing". When the focal length is aimed at the subject and the shutter is pressed, the camera has to move at a constant speed along the direction of the subject and pull out the speed line of the background. If you fail, don't be discouraged. It is common to take blurred photos. You can take wonderful photos with more practice.

In addition, it is also an attempt to set the shutter parameters according to the moving speed of the subject. When the shutter is pressed, the camera moves at the same speed as the main body, and before the shutter is closed, the flash will trigger the concentrated main body, showing a clear but streamlined picture. This technique is very suitable for shooting in the downtown area at night, and the light track dragged by neon lights in the background makes the picture more brilliant.

▲ The more mature the mirror swing skills, the higher the focusing success rate. Sony A99+70-400m4-135mm 5.6g SSM terminal. Aperture F 16, shutter 1/30 seconds, ISO 100, automatic white balance, S shutter prerequisite, RAW to JPEG.

Condensing dynamic subject with flash

In addition to high-speed shutter, flash is also an indispensable partner for dynamic photography. Its instantaneous light source of thousands or even tens of thousands of seconds can help us condense dynamic moments. Because of this feature, the flash can let us see another different "horizon", and through stroboscopic or high-speed shutter, the moments that the eyes can't catch up are condensed in the picture, such as the moment when water splashes, the moment when glass breaks and so on. In addition to general records, this is also the creative theme of many people, allowing photographers to exert their intelligence and creativity as much as possible, bringing visual impact again and again.

▲ The combination of flash and high-speed shutter makes the moment condense in front of you and me. Sony a 99+ 100mm F2.8 macro. Aperture F20, shutter1100 seconds, ISO 100, automatic white balance, M full manual mode, RAW to JPEG, external flash fill light.