Last week I had a reader request to do a post about photographing a Chessie in action from Jim I who wrote:
Every photo is so sharp and composed so well. Can you do a post on photographing a Chessie in action? What camera do you use? The point shoot do not work great for hunt test or training.
Thanks for compliment and post suggestion Jim. I am no expert, but I will share some tips I have learned taking photos over the years without getting bogged down in technical jargon.
I think taking photos at hunt tests or at training days can be some of the most challenging situations to get decent pictures. The dogs are in constant motion. Sometimes I am out in the field throwing and shooting and then I have to quick grab my camera for pictures. Everything is happening fast. You get one chance to get that photo and if you miss it, you may have to wait until the next session to try again. No one is going to stop and give you a redo.
The lighting may be terrible. You can’t ask for a test to be reset because the sun is in a bad position or glaring off the water. You just have to make do the best you can.
You may be some distance away from the action, even clear across the field or pond. You have to rely on your zoom. Oh but wait! Sometimes there is high grass in the way and you have to shoot through that.
It can be difficult to get a great shot with a DSLR camera and downright frustrating with a point and shoot camera. Most point and shoot cameras cannot focus quickly enough or the shutter is too slow to capture the dog. You may miss a shot waiting for the camera to catch up or if you get the shot, you may end up with blur because using the zoom at the maximum can add blur.
BUT I have used a little pocket Kodak EasyShare C643 camera to get some decent shots. I just made sure to be very close to my subject and set it on the “Auto” setting. For a little pocket camera it was actually pretty fast (3 one-shot bursts at 2.2 frames per second) and took clear photos.
Before my current DSLR I had a Canon PowerShot sx20 IS which is called a “megazoom” point and shoot. It had a stronger zoom, was easy to use, took decent pictures, but was slow (1.4 frames per second on the sports setting). I was always missing water entries by 1/2 a second.
Eventually I upgraded to a Canon EOS 60D DSLR camera. The main benefit to a DSLR over a point and shoot beside the burst rate which is 5.3 frames per second is that you can change out lenses between standard lenses and telephoto (zoom) lenses. I just have a couple basic telephoto lenses because they can get very expensive.
We also have a Olympus TG-830 which is a pocket-sized waterproof camera that hubby takes hunting. This is a decent camera and pretty fast but really does best with posed pictures.
I think no matter what camera you are using, the key is to learn how your particular camera focuses (even if that means reading the manual). Point and shoot cameras usually have only one focus setting, but DSLR cameras may allow you to select between two or three. For example, my 60D has a one shot focus which is great for posed photos. But if I am shooting in the high-speed continuous setting, I have two different options. I pick the one I want based on the situation. I have found one better for taking photos of the dogs in cover and the other better if the dogs are moving in an open field.
The next thing to do is to practice, practice, practice and take a lot of photos. Remember you are taking a photo of a fast-moving dog and it is very easy to capture a crystal clear shoulder and blurry head. I do not normally use the LCD screen. I usually use the viewfinder eyepiece because I think it is easier to follow a fast dog and it has focus points which help to get clear pictures.
I will not go into the detailed settings that I use in this post because it can get complicated and many people starting out do not want to mess with complicated settings. Just find the “Action” or “Sports” setting on your camera. It should pick the best settings to limit blur and give an acceptable exposure. Remember if you zoom to the farthest point on your lens, that may cause a blurry image. Sometimes it is better not to zoom all the way out and to crop the photo later.
To compose a nice picture, it helps if you can get down to the dog’s level to take photos. It makes it easier to focus in the dog’s face. Of course, this is easier said than done when you are out in the field.
Finally, there is some equipment that you can use to help capture better photos. To guard against blur, you can use a tripod when you are using a zoom lens. This is not practical for my picture taking at a test or during training so I just make sure that my zoom lenses each have a built-in image stabilizer. I also use a lens hood which reduces lens flare and I use a polarized lens filter in very bright light which reduces glare (although it doesn’t eliminate all of it).
I hope this has helped. I am always learning and trying different things with my camera.
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Those are awesome photography tips! 🙂
Thank you!
Thank you so much! Cody doesn’t go hunting but I always struggle with action shots! I can’t wait to try out these tips 🙂
Good luck. Let me know how you make out.
many thanks for good tips, it’s sadly true either you make it or the moment youwanted is gone with the wind. there isn’t a “play it again” Sam :o) what setting do you use for the eos? is it on “normal” or is it besser to use the “sport mode”, AV TV or M? ( I’m a doofus and I never used one of that settings lol)
Since I am shooting fast moving dogs, I would use the sport mode because it is the only one that allows for high speed continuous shooting. The others do not have that setting. But in truth, I usually use the “M” setting and set the shutter speed at 1/400 or a bit more depending on my lens. I have found the AI SERVO focus setting very good to get clear shots. Now if the light is funky (bright snow, sun in and out of clouds) I might just stick to the “P” and leave it on ISO AUTO, high speed continuous and AI SERVO. I have found it will compensate for the changing light pretty well. I still struggle with pictures at dogs shows in low light. I don’t think that I get enough chance to practice there.
many, many thanks… I will try it, maybe then I can catch THE MOMENT too :o) I use a cheap toshiba cam for dog shows, it’s not easy no manouvre around the ring with all the dogs and the people… and all my pictures are blurry anyway :o(
Dog shows are really hard. Someday I will figure it out….lol.
Those are some great tips. Mom uses her Nikon DSLR. It took a couple years for her to wean herself from the auto modes because as you say, you often only get one chance and she didn’t trust herself enough in manual mode. Each lens behaves differently too. Now she does about 90% in manual mode, but sometimes she just feels safer using one of the auto settings. Practice is all she can do to learn more and more and if you enjoy photography is it both fun and frustrating, and a constant learning experience.
I agree it is fun and I have been experimenting more with different settings trying to be more “arty”. I find changing light the most difficult to compensate for so that is when I switch to some of the auto settings.
Hi Y’all!
I miss lots of shots because I don’t have my camera with me. I’m trying to remember to keep my smartphone handy. It does work in a pinch. I missed some great osprey shots the other day because I had the camera, but it wasn’t turned on! By the time I turned it on…too late.
I’ve learned the hard way about “too much zoom”, but somehow forget or don’t realize I’ve zoomed too close until I download the pic. To get a side shot I need a faster camera. Some part of Hawk is always blurred.
I didn’t like the idea of carrying lenses so haven’t gone to the DSLR. From what I’ve been reading and from your post, seems like Canon may be the best choice.
Thanks for a great post. It’s been especially helpful since I’m trying to decide on a new camera.
BrownDog’s Human
I picked Canon because at the time of my purchase it was the best for what I wanted and I could afford it. When I bought my DSLR it was the fastest in my price range and that was very important to me. But they are always changing things and you should research and review if you are thinking of making a purchase. I think some of the newer point and shoot cameras are much faster than my old one. I looked at all the brands out at the time I was considering an upgrade.
I admit to falling victim to over zooming myself. lol The dogs are out 150-200 yards and it is the only way to make them not a speck. As far as focus, I try to get the head of the dog in focus (no way will the whole dog be in perfect focus of you are trying to fill the frame and they are running). That is my preference though. There really are no hard and fast rules.
I love digital cameras because I can take a million pictures and sometimes I get that lucky shot. One day I’ll take a photography class specifically looking at DSLR.
Me too. There are some decent books out there too. I just got one about Canon DSLR and it has a lot of different tips and tricks unique to Canon cameras. Some I knew and some are new to me.
I have two books that are specifically for my camera. So cumbersome, though. I learn better better by doing. That’s my excuse today. 😀
Great post. I love your photography!
Thanks Sue!
I have always enjoyed your photos over the years. This post helps explain how you manage to take such excellent shots each and every time!
Thanks so much!
Great post! I mostly use my handphone camera and switch it over to video when Donna gets busy or fast. Haha! *oops I wish I have the skills to operate a DSLR on a manual setting though. But that’s not something I’m focusing on in the near future 😛
You do a great job with your phone camera. I try to use mine, but I am so far away from the dogs they look like specs…lol.
Once upon a time I had a really nice camera. Someday I’ll have another one. Until then, I’ll enjoy your Chessie photos. 🙂 Shoot, I’ll enjoy them regardless.
🙂 Your pictures are very nice.
We just got a new Sony (even though we prefer Canon) because it allowed the most usable features in our price range without going overboard with things we’ll never figure out how to use 😉 Now it’s time for practice using a new camera; every camera requires it’s own learning curve. Looks like you really have the hang of the EOS!
That is how I picked my camera. It had the most features I wanted at a price I could afford (and they had a great bundle at Costco). They keep changing them and improving them all of the time. I think it pays to research options. Enjoy your new camera.
We love your photographs. I’m a keen but currently amateur dog photographer, and my area of improvement is probably action shots. I take portraits, more than anything. Thanks for these great tips!
sumskersandearlskers13.blogspot.com
I really enjoy your pictures too.
I’m very bad with this. LOL I still haven’t read the manual that came with the waterproof camera. BUT in my defense I am usually the one working the dogs and photographing them as well. Which is why most of my photos are candid shots. Let’s face it, no-one comes to my blog for the photos. 😉
It was very nice of you to explain how you take such great photos.
I like our little camera, but you have to be somewhat close to really get decent shots with it. It takes excellent video though. You take nice pictures with it. I can’t get the hang of using the LCD screen to frame photos….lol.
I am always looking for photo tips, so this was great!! Thanks!
ღ husky hugz ღ frum our pack at Love is being owned by a husky!
You are welcome. I am always looking for tips too.
Thank you so much for the great information on taking good photos it was very informative. I look forward to your posts you are doing so much with your Chessies. I looked at Freighter’s pedigree, Freighter’s sire Cur-San’s Ruff Cut MH is a 1/2 brother to my Chessie, Cur-San’s Ruff Rider MH.
Thanks so much for reading my blog. How cool that our dogs are related. Sandy breeds nice dogs.
There is some great advice here. Even my DSLR camera is slower than death with the focus (forget the flash for indoor shots!). I know that it’s time to upgrade (mine is old). When I’m ready to spend the money you’ve given me some good ideas of things I should be looking for.
I think speed is one thing that they are always working to improve. I am glad you found my tips helpful. New cameras are fun. 🙂
Seems like there is so much to learn. You give a great beginner explanation. Lots of great tips.
It can be overwhelming, but with practice it becomes easier and the new cameras really can do a lot in the auto settings which is nice.
great post and pictures. Love that baby picture with the big orange bumper, I think that is thunder?
Yep that is puppy Thunder. 🙂
Great tips! Since my only camera not built into a phone or iPad is a little Canon point and shoot, I make do with it. But one of these days I might read the manual and figure our how to take better pix. 🙂
Nice photos, getting a good picture of a dog in action is tough.
Thank you for the awesome tips! You take gorgeous photographs. Oh, Thunder also makes gorgeous puppies! Congratulations. ♥ It will be our top story on BFTB NETWoof News Monday!
Very cool. I will eventually stop over. I am far behind. Our internet was out…grrr.