Emergency help needed!

FUDGEY · #1 (**permalink**) 31-07-2009, 07:03 PM

I've just been asked by my neice if I could go to Dumfries show tomorrow to take photgraphs of her show jumping. I agreed, but I've just realised I haven't any experience with moving subjects. Can anyone save my backside & give me a rough idea what settings to use on my camera? It's a Nikon D80. I know there's the setting for moving subjects, but I guess there will be manual settings that will give me better results. HELP please!

DavyG · #2 (**permalink**) 31-07-2009, 07:24 PM

I don't have a Nikon, however for photographing large, moving, subjects such as a horse and rider, I would recommend you use:

a. Aperture priority.

b. Open your lens aperture as much as possible to obtain a fast shutter speed, depending on your lens you may have to balance this to obtain a sharp image.

c. Set your camera to, at least, ISO 200.

d. Photograph in raw.

Obviously your shutter speeds will be determined by the available light.

Most of all, don't be afraid to experiment with your settings.

I hope this helps.

Dave

Geoff F · #3 (**permalink**) 31-07-2009, 07:34 PM

Hopefully she won't be the first competitor so you can have a practice and check the results on your camera screen, with a bit of magnification.

Basically, decisions about settings come down to which is most important: Aperture or shutter speed. If you are photographing a jumping horse I wouldn't want to be less than 1/500. The aperture will depend largely on your lens, but let's say F8 or F11 as average.

So I would choose Tv (shutter priority) and set that to 1/500 then adjust the ISO to give a suitable aperture. But depending on the light conditions, some give and take may be necessary. 1/250 would be my absolute minimum.

Whether you use Evaluative or Partial/Spot metering is a bit tricky. I generally prefer to take a few readings around the scene and look for problems. But if you aren't experienced at light metering, Evaluative is safest.

One very important point about light is to size up the potential photo location points beforehand and make sure that you will have a clear view of the intended vista without harsh shadows or, worse still, end up shooting into the sun.

I would probably use a bit of exposure compensation as I went along to correct slight exposure problems when using Evaluative Metering; but you do need to have a fairly good idea of the principles of over/under exposure for this to work well.

ps. I've just seen Dave's reply, and while I usually prefer Aperture priority, as he suggests, a jumping horse is a different matter so I would select Shutter priority to make certain of avoiding a blurred image. Av for static shots but Tv for fast movement. Otherwise I agree with him, although if you don't currently use RAW, I wouldn't start tomorrow.

Ollie · #4 (**permalink**) 31-07-2009, 07:38 PM

I agree with Dave, although I don't think it necessary to shoot in RAW unless you are familiar with the RAW editing process.

I use a Canon but the principles are the same. I would recommend setting the camera to shoot in high speed shooting mode. In other words when you hold the shutter button down the camera will take lots of photos in very quick succession. The Canon 40D does around six photos per second but I'm not familiar with the Nikon models.

I would also consider upping the ISO to 400 if light and slow shutter speeds are a problem. The higher your shutter speed the more likelihood of getting sharp images. Remember also to pan with the camera following the subject as it moves. You will get loads of photos you don't want but hopefully some good ones. Make sure you have a large enough memory card to hold all the photos as well.

Lancashire Lad · #5 (**permalink**) 31-07-2009, 07:50 PM

I'd opt for a different approach to DavyG

Large subject moving quickly = shutter priority required to avoid blur.
I'd set the shutter at 1/250th sec. as minimum, but I'd also see if a higher shutter speed of 1/500th or 1/1000th would be achievable.

Obviously this depends on prevailing light conditions, sunny or overcast etc., and also on the focal length of your lens. (You should be ok at 1/250th with something like a 200mm lens, but if you are using a 300mm or more, I would definitely try to achieve the higher shutter speeds).

I'd let the aperture look after itself, as even at f4, the distance that you will be away from the horse should ensure that everything that needs to be in focus (i.e. horse & rider) will be in focus.

I'd set the ISO at 400 - you won't notice any digital noise at that rating, unless you start to examine the images extremely critically.

As you aren't very experienced with your DSLR, I'd definitely recommend shooting JPEG and not RAW. - You don't want the added problems of having to do lots of post camera image processing.
(With JPEG, a slight tweaking of image sharpening & possibly cropping would be all that I would consider).

Finally make sure that you "pan" with your subject.
i.e. follow the horse's movements, keeping it in the frame, and then keep moving the camera with it, (continue panning the camera for a second or so, even after you have pressed the shutter button).

Regards,
Mike.

FUDGEY · #6 (**permalink**) 31-07-2009, 08:38 PM

tell you what lads yous really are incredibly helpful, I just cant thank yous enough. I don't know if they hold forum awards, but this one deserves recognition, it's unbelievable how readily people help on here. You would never believe how much I appreciate your advice, all of yous are a god send. I can't return the favour re camera advice, but I can show any of yous some amazing wildlife areas with rare birds & animals if ever any of yous decide to come to SW Scotland on holiday. Cheers lads

Red Squirrel · #7 (**permalink**) 04-08-2009, 09:31 PM

Come on then Fudgey tell us how you got on at the show and did you get wet?

FUDGEY · #8 (**permalink**) 04-08-2009, 11:45 PM

couldn't make it mate, ive been in chronic pain with scitica for a month now and some days I can just cope with it. I couldn't even get in the car Saturday morning so had to take morphine pills to ease the pain. Best I didn't drive on the medication. Still thanks for the info it will be noted & used next time I am attempting this subject. Cheers folks. This might upset some of the female members but this pain must be on a par with child birth, it's constant and really depresses you, I pray for the day it goes.

BillyPilgrim · #9 (**permalink**) 05-08-2009, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FUDGEY

couldn't make it mate, ive been in chronic pain with scitica for a month now and some days I can just cope with it. I couldn't even get in the car Saturday morning so had to take morphine pills to ease the pain. Best I didn't drive on the medication. Still thanks for the info it will be noted & used next time I am attempting this subject. Cheers folks. This might upset some of the female members but this pain must be on a par with child birth, it's constant and really depresses you, I pray for the day it goes.

As a fellow sufferer you've got my sympathy! I don't think I've ever had it quite that bad though and it usually eases after a few days and many cocodamol pills!

FUDGEY · #10 (**permalink**) 05-08-2009, 09:33 AM

Anks Billy, it really is the worst pain ever. I've been up since 430 rolling about the bed, sofa & floor. The Dr said I just have to ride the storm & with a smirk on his face said " you can't be that bad you made it up here" I didn't see the funny side of it. There's a 9 week waiting list for physiotherapy, what a joke. I'm far from being unstable, but I'm getting so depressed with it now and I'm sick of taking pills all day. This forum and learning about my camera is a god send right now, hence why I'm asking so many questions. Thanks mate