how do i get my camera to stop motion?

Question

this isn't like were doing a video or animation, we're just taking pictures but have to stop motion with it, so the subject is in focus, and the background is not. i can't seem to get it right, help?

Answer 1

All of the above have it wrong, at least if I'm reading your question correctly.



So I will ask, what do you mean by "to stop motion", as in a bicycle racing down the street and everything but the bicycle is blurred (motion blur)? Or is your subject static (as in it is not moving)?



If you want to achieve the first one, you need to learn how to "pan". https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4PdAvGjC_kc



For the second you will need a lens that has an f-stop of 4 or below (2.8, 1.2 somewhere around there, 5.6 would work...but the lower the f-sop the better). http://www.nikonusa.com/en/Learn-And-Explore/Article/h0ndz86v/bokeh-for-beginners.html

Answer 2

Set camera to aperture priority mode, select lowest f/number, set ISO high (1600 perhaps). Track the subject as it moves in a relatively straight path from left to right or from right to left. Take the shot but continue tracking the subject for a second or two.



The problem here would be focus as it will be changing as the subject moves. You can establish focus on a certain spot where you want the shot taken and lock it there by turning off AF (to MF). Simply track the subject and take the shot as it reaches the selected spot. Don't forget to follow through. Some cameras have a feature that will take the shot automatically at a predetermined distance. You can set that on so you will just be concerned about the tracking yourself.

Answer 3

There seems to be some confusion over what you are asking.



I'm assuming you mean to 'freeze' the action of something moving against a static background (which you want to blur).



If so, you need to use a technique called 'panning'. So, for example a cyclist passing across the frame, you move the camera following the subject as you press the shutter button. Ideally your shutter speed should stop the motion of the subject and the panning motion blurs the background.



Like this;

http://www.flickr.com/photos/27128241@N03/5719460019/in/photolist-9HpJcD-9HpHwD-9JoqFA-9HszZN-9HsB4L-9HpHPc

Answer 4

Read:

http://digital-photography-school.com/a-beginners-to-capturing-motion-in-your-photography



http://digital-photography-school.com/how-to-capture-motion-blur-in-photography



http://digital-photography-school.com/mastering-panning-to-photography-moving-subjects



Panning requires a lot of practice but the results are well worth the effort.



If you're shooting moving subjects outdoors on a sunny day you can use ISO 100 or 200 and still achieve a fast enough shutter speed to stop or "freeze" most moving subjects. The proof is in the old "Sunny 16 Rule" which states: "On a sunny day set your aperture to f/16 and your shutter speed to 1/ISO."



"Sunny 16" @ ISO 100

f/16 @ 1/100 sec.

f/11 @ 1/200 sec.

f/8 @ 1/400 sec.

f/5.6 @ 1/800 sec.

f/4 @ 1/1600 sec.



"Sunny 16" @ ISO 200

f/16 @ 1/200 sec.

f/11 @ 1/400 sec.

f/8 @ 1/800 sec.

f/5.6 @ 1/1600 sec.

f/4 @ 1/3200 sec.



Of course if you're trying to shoot moving subjects indoors and don't have a fast lens like, say, a 70-200mm f/2.8 or a 50mm f/1.8 then your only option is to use a high ISO. Although you need a fast shutter speed, I suggest this approach, especially if the only lens you have is the usual 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 zoom: Place your camera in Aperture Priority and set your lens to f/5.6 or 55mm. Set your metering to Spot Metering. While looking at the scene you'll be shooting begin increasing the ISO until you get a shutter speed of 1/500 sec. If possible, have a person in the scene so you're only metering what will be your subject. (That's why I suggest Spot Metering - you only want to meter the subject, not the entire scene.)

Answer 5

Sounds like you could use some basic learning about digital cameras. I would recommend books by Scot Kelby. They are easy to read, plus you have 60 days to referenc his examples on line to help you get a better handle of the facts, rather than just excepting them without knowing the reason why. He takes you from the "beginning" all the way to where ever you wish to go. There are several books in his series meant to take from one point to another without taxing you on unintellegent "jargon".



Good Luck

Answer 6

fhotoace seems to have the wrong end of the stick entirely. For stop-motion you don't need a fast shutter speed. Quite the nopposite in fact. To get both foreground and background in aceptable focus you will need a small aperture. That will mean using a slow shutter and as Jim A says, a tripod. Set your camera to "A" for aperture priority, then set it on F16 or F22 to stop it right down. The shutter speeds will be long, but everything should be in focus. Use a higher ISO to keep the shutter speeds shorter.



EDIT - it seems to be that there is some confusion here. Stop motion is a type of animation where single frames are taken to make up a video. See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stop_motion If that is what the OP is trying then I was correct - you need small apertures and a tripod.



If the OP is trying to freeze movement then what's needed is a fast shutter speed - and a small aperture to get the background in focus with enough depth of field - but you can't have both small aperture and fast shutter without either having a LOT of light OR using a stupidly high ISO, which will mean a noisy image. That's just the normal compromise of photography.