How to Take a Still Photograph of an Object in Motion

Some photographers work with landscapes and others in portraiture. Others prefer to capture objects in motion, effectively stopping time and creating a one-of-kind photograph. Keep the following tips in mind when photographing a moving object.

Instructions

1. Watch the moving subject for some time to begin to be able to predict the subject's movement and patterns. Do this when trying to capture car races or tennis matches.

2. Set up the camera to capture fast moving objects or objects in motion. The camera requires a fast shutter speed to stop motion without leaving a blurry image. Any shutter speed higher than 1/250 of a second will do a good job at capturing a fast moving object.

3. Determine the distance from the camera to the moving object. The distance will determine just how to set the shutter speed. The farther away the object in motion is, the slower the shutter speed may be.

4. Pan the camera with the object in motion to photograph a blurred background with an in-focus subject. Move the lens with the subject as it passes, release the shutter and continue to move the camera along in one fluid motion.

5. Use the camera's flash unit or a studio strobe light to capture an object in motion if possible. The flash of light will effectively help the camera focus and freeze the subject with an even lower shutter speed.

Tips & Warnings

• Pre-focus on the spot where the subject will be. This helps keep the object in the viewfinder without having to guess where to release the shutter.