focus problems at horse events
Mar 30, 2013 16:33:04 #
chebe48
Loc: Leicestershire England
Hi All,
I am becoming increasingly frustrated at not being able to capture realy sharp images when photographing horses in motion.
Any ideas what I am doing wrong.
Here are a couple of examples
I am becoming increasingly frustrated at not being able to capture realy sharp images when photographing horses in motion.
Any ideas what I am doing wrong.
Here are a couple of examples
From British Eventing Lincoln UK
From British Eventing Lincoln UK
From British Eventing Lincoln UK
Mar 30, 2013 16:36:53 #
kinda looks like you need a faster shutter speed for the blurrs.
need lil more info what mode are you in?
what settings.
need lil more info what mode are you in?
what settings.
Mar 30, 2013 16:39:33 #
Dirtpusher is 100% correct, not only that make sure you only use the centre focus point on the camera or the camera will focus on other things you don't want.
Mar 30, 2013 16:45:22 #
donrent
Loc: Punta Gorda , Fl
I think FR1 is on target... Center spot focus and at least 500 speed...
Mar 30, 2013 16:48:36 #
chebe48
Loc: Leicestershire England
Thanks guys, I am on 400ISO , F5.6 and speed up to 2500 of a second. Thanks for the advice in regard to using a single focal point. I was using a cluster in the centre of the images, and high speed shooting in order to catch the best action of the horse and rider.
Mar 30, 2013 16:49:43 #
chebe48
Loc: Leicestershire England
Thanks for the advice, much appreciated. due out again in April for further attempts.
Mar 30, 2013 16:50:44 #
Mar 30, 2013 18:41:27 #
chebe48 wrote:
Thanks guys, I am on 400ISO , F5.6 and speed up to 2500 of a second. Thanks for the advice in regard to using a single focal point. I was using a cluster in the centre of the images, and high speed shooting in order to catch the best action of the horse and rider.
So far I looked at the first shot and this is what I see.
1.) You focused on the wrong object, not the rider's face.
2.) Camera shake blur
3.) You shot it at 400mm, not the best for IQ.
4.) You did a 71% crop...also, not so good for IQ.
Here is what you should do to improve your results:
1.) Don't let the camera decide which AF point to use. You decide. Use the center point and use continuous AF. Keep your dot on the riders face.
2.) Use a higher shutter speed or monopod or both to avoid camera shake.
3.) Instead of racking your lens out to max focal length, get closer...closer is better. Fill the frame with your rider.
4.) Fill the frame with your subject. If you don't, and you crop aggressively, you will get less-than-great results.
I know it's depressing, you have a bazooka of a lens but you have to get closer to get good images, believe me, I know. I have STELLAR lenses but they have their limitations. If I don't mind that list that I put up there my shots suck too...I just dumped ALL the shots from a Lacrosse game for several of these reasons.
Mar 30, 2013 21:09:36 #
JR1 wrote:
Dirtpusher is 100% correct, not only that make sure you only use the centre focus point on the camera or the camera will focus on other things you don't want.
Hate to sound like a "kiss a$$" but I totally agree with you because if you look at the second photo the hedge is in focus but the rider and horse is blurred
Mar 31, 2013 05:30:10 #
some shots don't look so bad?
Try the other suggestions and sharpening in software.
Try the other suggestions and sharpening in software.
Mar 31, 2013 06:19:41 #
donrent wrote:
I think FR1 is on target... Center spot focus and at least 500 speed...
:thumbup:
Mar 31, 2013 06:39:24 #
The static objects, such as the fences and the bushes in the images all look relatively sharp, which suggests that you are not panning the camera with the subject when you press the shutter?
Mar 31, 2013 07:17:11 #
chebe48
Loc: Leicestershire England
Thanks for all the advice and assistance,I will try again later .
Keith
Keith
Mar 31, 2013 07:40:32 #
Practice on anything moving fast until it becomes second nature. Stand by the road and photograph cars with all the different combinations of settings you can think of and then practice some more. The event is where you make your money not where you learn your skills!
Mar 31, 2013 08:31:37 #
I shoot a lot of big horse shows and never drop below 650 and try to shoot at 800 on jumpers and hunters. Keep focused on the horses eyes and f8 or above, usually easy outside arenas.
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