Good action photography requires some forethought and preparation to be successful. The excellent quality of today's cameras and lenses along with the ability to preview images enables the photographer to get that great sports shot. Don't be discouraged by the amount of preparation required--great photographs rarely just happen. They are the result of planning and experimenting. Take the time and the results will speak for themselves.
Decide where you are you are going to shoot your action shots. Anticipate where the action will be. For example, a play at home base. Pay attention to the background to eliminate any distracting objects.
2
Get in position and frame the picture as you would like it to be. Vary the zoom power on your lens, zooming in or out till you get the view that pleases you. Double check for objects in the background that will detract from your images.
3
Selecting how to focus is critical. Choosing the "continuous focus" will let your camera track a moving object. This may work but there is a better option. Pick the "manual focus" option on your camera. Now focus manually on the spot where the action will take place. For the home base scenario, focus on the home plate and then leave the focus alone.
4
Start taking a few shots and see what exposure readings you are getting. To freeze the action, you will have to use a fast shutter speed. For example, let's say your camera shows a 1/500 second shutter speed at an aperture of f-8. This may freeze the action, but you have to test this setting to confirm that this will work. Take a few shots and preview the images in the LCD window. If the image is blurry, you need to increase the shutter speed. Find the shutter speed that works and lock it in.
5
Recheck the focus and fire away. Take lots of shots because many of them will not be be good. Try setting the motor drive on your camera to the fastest setting and start shooting when your subject starts to enter the frame.
Tips & Warnings
Shooting at the largest aperture will give you the fastest shutter speed, and will also provide a pleasant out-of-focus background.
Zoom ratio and film speed may have to be changed to get the desired shutter speed.
Take photographs till your memory is full--you may have only one keeper shot out of one hundred pictures.
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