The Jogger

[Digital]

I realize that this photo is not very good. I need input on ways I can improve this type of shot. It was shot at f/8 @ 1/400.
Thank you.

[mugge]

I would open up the lens to say f2.8 or f4 and use single point focus. That is for this image only.
Cheers Ole

[Manfred M]

Bruce - The focus seems to be okay as the runner's foot that is planted on the ground appears to be sharp. This suggests a shutter speed issue. I would go for a much faster shutter speed; probably 1/1500th second or faster if you want to freeze the scene. As Ole has stated, you don't need to stop down to f/8 as an out of focus background work likely result in a stronger image.

I don't particularly like the light; it is quite hard and the shadows on the subject are not really desirable.

[William W]

I realize that this photo is not very good. I need input on ways I can improve this type of shot. It was shot at f/8 @ 1/400.

Firstly concentrate on Shutter Speed.

Transverse Motion, (i.e. across the camera) of human running at medium distance from camera, if your aim is to reduce Subject Motion Blur (i.e. you want to freeze the action) then slowest Shutter Speed 1/1250s, preferably use faster.

Examples - the Girl (Blue and Gold), was running full tilt into that tackle, across my camera - there is no noticeable motion blur, the shutter speed was around 1/2000 ~ 1/2500s.





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Your image has no EXIF: knowing the ISO, your camera type the lens you used would be helpful for detailed feedback.

It appears you have nailed focus (reference her L Shoe) on this one, that doesn't mean that you are using the best Focus Techniques for these images using the gear that you have.

WW

[William W]

Yes, Manfred and I were writing at the same time.

[Stagecoach]

I realize that this photo is not very good. I need input on ways I can improve this type of shot. It was shot at f/8 @ 1/400.
Thank you.

Bruce, whilst you do not mention what you find "not very good" in the photo I'll assume it's the blurry runners head and lack of separation between runner and background.

Firstly shutter speed - The head and torso of a good runner move at a near constant speed forward with a slight smooth rise and fall (like a very flat sine wave). I would suggest that the head of your runner is showing motion blur because your tracking and panning (if that is what you did) was not smooth and you stopped whilst pressing the shutter.

This shot could have been taken from 1/250s upwards and captured the head without motion blur if you pan/track your runner well, the degree of motion blur seen in legs and arms decreasing as shutter speed increases. Whether you want any motion blur at all is of course a matter of personal preference.

If you did not pan/track the runner and are simply clicking as they pass, your shutter speed to freeze movement will be dependent upon the fastest moving part of the body.

Secondly Aperture - The lighting of which we often have no choice of has not helped with separation of subject and background but this could have been helped by using a wider aperture and blurring it somewhat. Do not be swayed by lens 'sweet spots' when shooting these subjects.

[Dave Humphries]

Hi Bruce,

Like Grahame, the most obvious aspect that struck me on first viewing was that the background was sharp and the subject parts in motion were not.

As Manfred and Will suggest, a faster shutter speed would certainly help, but my personal guess is you did not attempt to pan with the subject's right to left motion, or if you did, you stopped at the moment of shutter activation. I can remember making these mistakes myself in early days, it passes with a little practice.

Ole's suggestion of a wider aperture to give a narrower depth of field would also help blur the background.

Cheers,
Dave

[Digital]

Thank you all for your input.

Bruce

[rpcrowe]

Panning is sort of like shooting clay targets with a shotgun. As you move the gun, you pull the trigger as you are moving, you do not stop and then pull the trigger.

I would suggest the above corrections: follow through with the panning, faster shutter speed and wider aperture which would gain separation between the background and the subject. I like to use manual shutter speed and aperture selection (so I know what the shutter speed and the f/stop will be) but, I like to add auto ISO to somewhat automate the exposure.

Additionally, I like to use burst mode when shooting a moving subject... Burst mode would give you several selections to choose among...