LESSON 12Capture the Motion in Photographs

Focal length: 180 mm / F-number: 5.0 / Shutter speed: 1/4000 sec.

In this chapter, you will learn some techniques to shoot moving subjects in sports scenes or railway photography with a sense of presence and dynamism. The α cameras have various functions to shoot moving subjects. As the first step, try the advice provided below.

How to shoot with the motion stopped

To stop the motion of the subject momentarily and capture it as the impressive best shot, you need to shoot at faster shutter speeds. The shutter speed can be set as you like in theS-mode, but use the "Sports Action" mode in Scene Selection (shooting mode) at first.
The "Sports Action" mode allows you to take a shot freezing the motion of moving subjects. With faster shutter speeds and the AF operation to continuously track the movement of the subjects, this mode is suitable for moving subjects. Also, as the continuous shooting mode is automatically activated in this mode, it is easier to capture the best moment of the scene. Note that the continuous shooting will stop if you remove your finger from the shutter button after the shutter is released once. Make sure to keep holding the shutter button all through the scene you want to capture.

1/800 sec.1/800 sec.

To shoot the above examples, the photographer pressed and held down the shutter button while the dog was running. The above 2 photographs are the best shots among the continuous shots. With the shutter speed set to 1/800 sec, the motion of the subject looks stopped.

As the "Sports Action" mode in Scene Selection is one of the auto shooting modes, you cannot change the settings of brightness and color. To use the functions to change them, such as exposure compensation and white balance, shoot in the S-mode. When shooting in the S-mode, set the autofocus mode to AF-C (Continuous AF), and the drive mode to Continuous Shooting, so that you can shoot moving subjects continuously.

Deciding the composition

If you get used to continuous shooting, consider the composition as well. As shown in "1. Shoot Impressive Portraits with People Highlighted" and "9. Let the Small Item Play the Major Role," the typical well-balanced composition is the "Rule of Thirds" composition. However, for scenes where you want to express the dynamism of the moment, the composition with the subject in the center of the frame is also recommended. This composition is effective for expressing the power and theme of the subject clearly. When shooting sports scenes, by capturing the close-up of the main subject in motion in the center of the frame, you can finish up your photograph impressively with a full sense of presence.

Focal length: 300 mm / F-number: 5.6 / Shutter speed: 1/2500 sec.

These examples are shot in the composition with the subject in the center of the frame. By zooming in on the subject with a telephoto lens, the photographs convey the power and dynamism of the subject. Also, as the subject is in the center of the frame, it is easier to bring it in focus.

When you are shooting moving subjects, the situation can change dramatically in a moment, unlike when shooting motionless landscapes. Therefore, the top priorities are not to miss the shooting opportunities and to take as many shots as possible. First, get used to continuous shooting, and leave the composition until you have more leeway. You can also compose photographs by trimming them in the computer after you get home.

Focal length: 70 mm / F-number: 5.6 / Shutter speed: 1/400 sec.

Trying telephoto lenses

In sports scenes like the above examples, zooming in on the subject is effective for conveying the dynamism. Especially, in environment where you need to shoot from a distance, telephoto lenses are necessary. Telephoto lenses are highly recommended for those who often shoot sports games, birds and animals.

Perfect for wildlife and more, this 200–600mm super-telephoto zoom can reach as far as 840mm or 1200mm with 1.4x and 2.0x teleconverters, with full G lens quality and AF performance. Aspherical and ED glass elements achieve superb resolution throughout the zoom range, while Sony's Nano AR Coating cuts flare and ghosting. The bokeh is gorgeous, too.

The first full-frame 70-300 mm E-mount zoom offers outstanding image-wide resolution. It also lets you get close for stunning close-ups and details with 2.95-feet minimum focus. Built-in Optical SteadyShot image stabilization effectively counters camera shake from close focus to telephoto, while an advanced linear actuator ensures fast, precise autofocus. It is dust and moisture resistant too.

Optimized optical and mechanical design offers outstanding super-telephoto zoom performance for APS-C bodies (105–525 mm equiv.). Impressive G Lens quality is maintained throughout the zoom range right out to the image edges. All of this is packed into a compact, mobile 5x super-telephoto zoom lens with built-in optical image stabilization.

This 3.8x zoom lens takes you from 55 mm out to 210 mm with consistently outstanding optical performance all the way. Optical SteadyShot image stabilization makes it easier to achieve crisp, stable images and video in low-light or when zooming in on distant subjects. Additionally, the internal drive motor and internal focusing make smooth and responsive AF possible with minimum noise, perfect for video capture.