Cross Breeds

What are some good tips on taking the best action pictures of your dogs?

Like when they're playing, running, jumping, or just being goofy. What are some good tips on capturing the best moments. I have a great camera, but my timing sucks. So what are some good tips on capturing the best shots?

Public Comments

1. Get a camera with a high shutter speed to prevent blurred pictures, and possibly a SteadyShot function. I recommend a Sony Cybershot because I had one that took great pictures of my dog and she has never sat still for a picture. =] Dogs can't be controlled while running at the same time. They aren't able to pose for a picture. :P You can also try hold a favorite toy or treat in your hand and take the picture. :D
2. A good camera LOL. blurry pictures suck ; ; When I was taking pictures of my cats I would have my boyfriend hold a toy to capture their attention and then I'd get the right angle and shoot. So I guess with a dog you could get a helper to throw a toy in your direction, or call him over when you get ready to shoot when he passes or something.. I don't really know but this reminds me I need some new pix of my dog :)! I want to get some professional ones done like family photos XD
3. when they r running try to follow them with ur camera and take the pic when and where u want it. itll show the background blurred but the animal will be focused. it looks sweet if u do it right and itll show the animal is moving. and as for jumping lay on the ground and have ur camera facing up or right with them. just experiment ull find what u like better. have fun
4. Fast film, long lens, fast shutter speed. Oh wait. Did I say "film?" How 20th century... :-) Do digital cameras even HAVE "shutters?"
5. put your camara on action setting. or where it takes multiple pictures, so you can pick them easier.
6. You can get a camera and take a video then make a picture out of one of the parts of the video like maybe a Kodak C613
7. My husband does some agility photos, and the most important part, is to make sure you have an incredibly fast shutter speed. And, you have to sort of "anticipate" the dog's action, like if they are going up, you have to learn how fast your shutter speed is, and snap a split second before they get to that desired position, knowing how slow your response time is. It's easier if it's "set up" like in agility, he knows where the dog is going next, so that helps. Also, if you have a digital, and can set it to do a series of shots together, that helps, too, because you can just hold the button down and get a series of shots, and surely at least 1 will be the shot you want! The hardest part, though, is getting them in focus- if they are doing something where there is a constant- a tree, let's say, and you can get the camera focused on the tree, then have them in close proximity to the tree, they will be in focus, too. (Like in the agility example, he focuses on the jump, gets the camera pre-focused on it, then when the dog jumps it, the cameras focus is set, the dog is even with the jump, so the dog is also in focus.) I hope this helps. I think there is also a photography section, they might be able to offer more advice as well.
8. Hi Lisa, I have a Nikon CoolPix S5 that has a "action" shot feature