Photography Tips: Catching Life in Action

  Today I'm doing a post on action photography tips. What's a blog called Looking Through My Lens if it doesn't give tips on photography?! :D 

 So, I'm not an expert at action photos yet, but I still may be able to muster up some tips that'll help fellow amateur photographers. ;)

  1) USE A FAST SHUTTER SPEED

   When the shutter speed is fast, it takes the picture fast, so, obviously, it freezes the motion better. :D

  However, fast shutter speed can make the picture darker, especially on days that aren't very bright, so...

2) USE HIGHER ISO

  OK, I'm not an expert at knowing what all this stuff is, but I do know that a higher ISO makes the picture brighter. And it makes the picture less quality or something, so only go higher when necessary, such as with firework pictures. I believe I used the highest ISO on my camera for this one above. 

Combine that with fast shutter speed, and you have the camera taking pictures fast, and the ISO keeping the picture bright enough. :) 
 Now some random, lesser tips. ;)

3) PRESS THE SHUTTER BUTTON DOWN HALFWAY BEFORE THE ACTION COMES

 Probably when you'd most need to do this is when you can't focus on your subject before it comes and is gone. So you just focus on the area where it'll be, press the shutter button down halfway, and snap the picture when the action comes.  

4) BE READY!

 Otherwise you may just miss the action. And what's the point of taking action pictures if you aren't ready and you miss all the action? :P 

So get your settings adjusted beforehand!

5) DON'T USE FLASH

  If you can avoid it, then avoid it. Flash action pictures don't always look the greatest, even if it helps freeze motion. So just adjust the shutter speed and ISO instead. :) 

 And here's a bonus picture that I rather like. The grass and field are all softly blurred, and it's just nice. :)

 So there are a few tips! If you are trying to figure out how to get good action photos, I hope this helps. :)

DO YOU HAVE ANY TIPS ON TAKING ACTION PHOTOS THAT I MISSED? IF YOU'RE A PHOTOGRAPHER, ARE YOU SUCCESSFUL IN TAKING ACTION PHOTOS?