Photo Tip 3 - Freeze the Action

If you want your subject to be frozen in action, rather than blurred, you can easily change your camera's settings to achieve this. 

Automatic Setting

Use the 'action' or 'sports' setting on your camera. This might be on a dial on the camera, or you may have to choose it from one the the menus. The symbol for this setting will often look like a person running. An action or sports option will change the settings in your camera so it can capture fast action without blurring. You'll achieve best results when there is plenty of light.

Sports Setting on Camera Dial

Manual Settings

If you have a camera which will allow you to change your shutter speed settings, select a fast shutter speed to freeze the action. You could try starting at 1/800th of a second, but depending on how fast your subject is moving, a speed of 1/500th might be enough, or you may need to go up to 1/2000th of a second or faster to stop blurring. The photo of the aerobatic plane below was taken using a shutter speed of 1/1600th of a second. Again, you'll get better results if there is plenty of light.

Redcliffe Kite Festival aerobatics display May 2011
f5.6  1/1600th