Photography Class by Camilla Lesson 3

[Camilla and Darwin]

Okay you guys, you have all done AMAZING at these assignments I'm so proud of you all and amazed at your progress!

Because I think that nailing that focus while taking action shots is a great thing with doodles, we will be focusing (pun intended) on that again for this assignment. To do this we are going to use AI Servo mode. For Nikon "continuous focus". What this does is automatically tracks your subject as it moves through the frame. I am not going to go into how exactly that works because it's confusing and complicated and boring. :-)

Here is what I do. When I am shooting action shots of Darwin, I change my camera from "one shot" focus to "AI servo". When you press the shutter halfway down to focus, you will notice that you don't hear a beep or see that red dot that means focus is locked. Instead you will feel the camera continuously focusing. Perhaps try this on a person to begin, focus on their face, then press the shutter down in a rapid fire burst, while they are walking towards you.

Here is exactly what I do to get the best success. I will focus on Darwin's face, then as he's running towards me, hold the shutter down to take a rapid fire burst of photos. As he's moving towards me, I track his face with my focus point. Take as many photos as your camera will do in a row, then you can refocus and continue. AI Servo works best with something moving either towards the camera, or away from the camera. So practice having your dog run straight towards you, or throw a ball and photo them running away from you.

Now go out and have fun, and count it a success if you get some good sharp photos! I would say that when I started out, I was getting about 1/5 photos in focus. Now I'm at about 3/5. The point is that you end up after a lot of running bursts, with some good sharp images. Start out with straight away from or towards the camera, and if you are getting good success try sideways. Remember to track your subject !

Some of my favorite, all taken on AI servo mode.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

LOL...very funny!

[Sue & Lily Grace]

I am with you Pat but I need a 4th hand to keep throwing the ball so Lily Grace does not head home from the park by herself. I have given up.

[DJ & Chance]

and a fourth hand to hold the dog and a fifth for the treats.  LOL.  This photography class is not for the faint-hearted!

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

Got that right DJ, LOL

[F, Calla & Luca]

And what if you have two dogs and only two hands?

[DJ & Chance]

Point and Shoot.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Sometimes I do that but it's not really good for dogs : (

[F, Calla & Luca]

Sounds a lot like the Nikon: )

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Is that how you do the AFCthingy. Thank you. I e been befuddled by this many times.

[Marnie, Stanlee's Mom]

I love the look on his face in the third shot, great job!

[Pat and Traveler]

Thanks, Marnie--he looks so happy, and I love all the dog photos that all 4 feet off the ground.  I have to keep him running so he doesn't freeze, poor naked dood...:)   (Yes, he does have a sweater...)

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Pat, Traveler's coloring is just so unique. He looks like a happy Doodle in all of your pictures.