My first contribution to the forum for some time since my primary type of photography was relegated to "Just Sharing".

This is my method of photographing moving dogs.

Image stabilisation turned off. It actually works against you when moving the camera trying to track a dog.

Set the camera to Tv on my Canon which is a semi-auto mode letting one set the shutter speed whilst the camera will set the aperture.

I try to set a minimum speed of 1/400 sec. if there is not enough light for this the camera will open the lens wide open and the reduce the shutter speed.

The focusing point I use is the centre one but I am pretty good at changing to a different focusing point if need be without taking the camera away from my eye.

I use predictive focusing and continuous AF mode as against single shot.

But after all that success is not guaranteed because getting a good shot is not as easy as just taking a snapshot as some people think.

Proof,,,,,,,,

Not focused on the eyes. Point of focus is on the neck.






Same problem






Shutter speed to slow






But every now and then you get it right






It's easy......NOT

Hope this helps and keep practising.

Steve

Thank you everyone, some nice clear tips to try on Sunday, I have added the info of what they were taken at exposure wise...

Regarding image stabilizing, I have a mode which is auto and one which tries to stabilize constantly and one which does it once focus is reached...the booklet doesn't say which is better for action...so which would you suggest from your experience?

I'm really hoping I can get some better shots, I was disappointed with my efforts.

I can't answer your question about the Image stabliser, but one other thing that I don't think anyone else has mentioned (and you may already know), is that you are likely to have greater success in bright weather. In your photos, the day looked quite gloomy so that would make it more difficult for you.

Good luck

The best thing you can do is to set the shutter speed to at least 800th second and then play with the aperture and ISO until you get a good exposure. Then take your action shots.

I'd be inclined to turn it off if those are your options.

As pointed out by others - get the fundamentals (shutter speed / aperture / ISO) sorted out and you'll be on the right track.

When I saw it had mode 1 and mode 2 - I just wondered if it was like mode 1 and mode 2 on Canon IS lenses whereby mode 1 stabilises both horizontal and vertical shake and mode 2 (more suited to panning) which just stabilises the vertical movement.

One more thing to mention that I haven't seen yet is panning. That's moving your camera with the animal is a smooth fashion just before pressing the shutter button. You can freeze the action and cause the background to blur because of the pan. That creates a very pleasant shot.

I think one of the problems is the camera itself. Compact cameras just arn't capable of doing the same as a DSLR camera they have a limitation and it looks to me as if you have reached that limit. Now you want to be able to do more and you are held back by the camera.

I had exactly the same thing when I first started out, I thought a compact camera would do all that I wanted but I was wrong. I started out with a cheap Kodak 2 meg pix camera basically to see what all the fuss was about with this digital photographic thing everyone was talking about. Have to say it did take good photos for what I wanted at the time. In the end I got frustrated as well because it just wasn't good enough for certain shots and I decided to seriously upgrade to a Nikon D70s , my first DSLR.

A huge drawback with them is your stuck with just one lens and whatever anyone says they just can't compete with a camera with interchangable lenses. Yes they can zoom in/out/video well which is the main selling point and I am not knocking them as they are good at what they are designed for, but not for everything.

When you start struggling getting the photos you want then its time to think about the same as I did and upgrade. One advantage is you can get "high speed" lenses such as in the f2.8 range which basically lets more light onto the sensor allowing faster shutter speeds hence high speed lens.
I don't advocate throwing away your compact they are so easy to carry around but add to it with better gear.

Others on here have given excellent advice about ISO-Aperture-Shutter speed etc and how they compliment each other but remember your camera can only do so much.

Bazza

repeat sorry I have a very slow internet connection Bazza

Thank you! Great photo examples too and great to know others stuggle even with better camera I have also not contributed as much since it went to just sharing, I want to learn and grow in that area, pets are my main photography subject.
Thanks for your helpful reply

Thank you, the light was fading which I guess can't help!

I'll try that, thank you

I will try that, thanks

I have tried some panning before, this is the best I've got out of the camera so far in terms of panning...



Thank you for your honest reply, I know I can only do so much with the camera, but I want to be able to do the best possible. Hopefully with the advice from here I can do better as I know my settings weren't optimal.
Truth be told I simply can't afford an SLR, not even the cheap ones. I spent my money on the best camera I could afford and am going to make the best of what I have. Maybe in years to come I'll come into some money or a rich person will take pity on me, but for now I'm going to do the best I can with what I have.
I do totally agree with you though, indeed a compact will never be as good, and I'm realistic enough to not expect it to be that good. But I have managed to take some decent pictures in the past with worse cameras, so I know this one has some more potential to go...


I hope to be able to show some improved (I'll happily settle for in focus) action shots on Sunday - I've got 20 dogs of different breeds to try out on, I do think part of my problem is my beautiful black dog...Only time will tell

Thanks again to everyone for taking the time to reply, it's been really helpful!

Grace, I think Bazza has has a valid point. I didn't realise you were working on a p&s. The principle of my advice still holds true, but I think you need to accept the limitations of the camera itself.

The whole reason for myself getting a DSLR was down to the shutter lag on my Canon. It was a case of focus, click............................................. .........clunk, followed by a blurry image! I understand the DSLRs dont come cheap, but maybe you can concentrate on stills for now. Focusing on composition and exposure. The, when you are in a position to upgrade, you can concentrate on learning on they have to offer..