I am usually taking pictures of people sitting still. Tomorrow I have a shoot with horses. The people I am taking these pictures for want some of the pictures of them running. Which setting should I use on my D600 to get the sharpest photos and make sure all the horses are in focus? Should I use Sports mode? Have my A set above 7? Suggestions?
labowman22 wrote:
Suggestions?
Sorry to say, but based on your questions, my impression is that for good & reproducible results a photo course would be a good co-investment. Doesn't help with this assignment, but will help you enjoy the camera in the future much more.
AndreasE wrote:
Sorry to say, but based on your questions, my impression is that for good & reproducible results a photo course would be a good co-investment. Doesn't help with this assignment, but will help you enjoy the camera in the future much more.
regards,
Andy
I have never done pictures of horses. I know how to take pictures of kids running and jumping around. This was an unexpected shoot. Just wondering if I should use sports mode for horses?
I'd probably start in A mode. try some shots at like F16 while panning to get some action blur, maybe shoot wide open to obtain fast ss's. Allot of variables, sunny or cloudy, what lens you're using, etc. Just experiment. Try the 3D AF mode if they're darting around erratically.
I agree with Andreas for your long-term development.
But let's try to help you along for the task at hand.
Which lens are you planning to use? Or which lenses do you have available to you to use? What is your position relative to the track (in the stands? in a special area?)?
I'm an amateur, so take this with a grain of salt...
I shoot a lot of my son's baseball games. When things are moving, I always want the shutter as fast as possible. For example, I know that a shutter speed of 1/750th can freeze a baseball in flight, freeze a tag being made, and freeze the dust kicked up by a hard slide. I would think your goal is to freeze the horse in this case...
Search the forum for posts by "trenchmonkey". His horse and bird shots are absolutely amazing...
I use the same technique as the Monkey. Why, because it works. Set your cam to AF-C 9 point focus. Set the AE-L button to AF-ON and the shutter release button to shutter only , i.e not autofocus.
Put your selected autofocus point over your subject and depress the AE-L button and hold it down while you track your subject. This will keep your camera focusing on the subject the whole time you have this button pressed and its very accurate. Whilst keeping the button pressed simply press the shutter to take your pictures.
As far as the other settings go, usual rules apply. Probably set your cam to Aperture priority mode and go for the largest aperture your lens will allow (smallest f number). You want fast shutter speeds to capture the action and keep things sharp. Large apertures (small f numbers), bump your iso if needed and this should give you the shutter speeds you need.
Thanks for the props, Steve Hey, OP...spent a fair amount of time launchin' off Harris Hill in the 70's
What lens(es) you plan on using Don't have a 600 but my 800 does this stuff a lot. Exif is intact but my suggestions
would be (depending on distance of course) A mode, wide open, AF-C 9 pt, ~5fps and appropriate ISO to maintain 2X FL SS
First sample was from the next zip code but have rodeo stuff from 60 to 90' if you need examples on FX. Lots of variables but
this should suffice 'til I have a little more information. Shoot me a PM, I'm into a growler and won't be goin' anywhere this eve.
disclaimer: all my work is handheld and L/Jpegs SOOC, a shot or a strong beer prior to shootin' works wonders.
(this shall be known as shootin' in 'monkey mode for future posts)
Thank you so much everyone! I only have a few lenses. I am an amateur that just started in April. As you can see from my website, I only photograph little kids. But, this one opportunity came up and I just couldn't say no. A lot of photos will be standing still but there are going to be a couple that the horses will be running. My best lens that I have and the fastest one is my 50/1.8. I use that in almost every photo session I have.
Trenchmonkey- Your pictures are absolutely amazing! I actually have used the way that you recommend. I think you actually gave me that tip on another post that I posted awhile back. That is what I actually use when little kids are running. I will definately try that out tomorrow!
Thanks again for everyone that responded! I am pretty excited about this shoot but also a little nervous. Guess we will see how it goes using many of the tips I got. You guys are awesome! I will post a picture in the next couple of days to show you all what I came up with.
Hey, OP...spent a fair amount of time launchin' off Harris Hill in the 70's 
Don't have a 600 but my 800 does this stuff a lot. Exif is intact but my suggestions
