Photographing a Dog Running Towards You!

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

UPDATE: NOVEMBER 2013. This discussion has gotten so large, I had to start a new discussion....Part Two.... and close this one.

I have been trying for weeks to get a good photograph of Fudge running towards me with her ball. I need help. I am shooting in AI Servo mode and snapping continuously as she runs towards me. Every time I think I have a good picture of her up close, when I download it to my computer, some part of her is blurry. What am I doing wrong?  How do I keep her in the frame right up until she gets to me and not have the image blurred? I am concentrating on using a shutter speed higher than 1/250 and preferring to stay over 1/500. Usually depending on my ISO, my aperture is somewhere more than 5. I think one of the problems is I need a greater DOF (narrower opening) or else I just do not have a steady enough hand as she runs right at me. I am not giving up, but I am getting discouraged. Do most of you use a tripod in a situation like this? What I think might be helpful to me is to see some motion shots with the settings used and what lens is being used. Is there one lens preferred by most for this type of shot? I am sorry if all this has been asked before.

Here are some outtakes....I have tons of these kinds of shots.

1/800, 5.0, ISO 200   Blurry

1/1000, 5.0, ISO 200  blurry

Farther away, better focus, too far for a good picture. 1/400. 5.6, ISO 100

1/400, 5.6, ISO 100

Is this just a case of I am not holding the camera still? Are my settings not right? I really want the up close shot and am not as interested in the shots just where she starts to run at me. Is my understanding of AI Servo incorrect? I thought if you focused correctly in the far away shot, as she runs towards me, if I maintain the focus point (her face), it will stay in focus. Any help will be appreciated. Thank you!

[Jay, Lola and Colonel Esau]

I love Banjo and I love this photo.  A lot.

[Carol and Banjo]

Aww...thanks Jay!  We were just talking about my step daughters upcoming wedding (in January...ugh...in Chicago) and I was thinking of you and Karen.....both Chicago-ites...I sure wish we'd have more time, so that we could at least say "hello".   The reception will be at the Murphy Auditorium...and we're staying at the Intercontinental....are you anywhere in the vicinity?

[Jay, Lola and Colonel Esau]

Both of those are about a 10 to 15 minute walk from where I live.  Intercontinental is just a couple of blocks from my office too.

[Jay, Lola and Colonel Esau]

We'd love to walk over and say hi, if you can step out for a just a few minutes at some point.  I know Karen doesn't like to drive downtown but I MIGHT be able to scoop her up depending on the day.

[Carol and Banjo]

Jay, We fly in Friday morning

[Carol and Banjo]

WTD......

as I was saying....we fly in Friday morning, wedding is late Sat afternoon and we head home Sunday morning....it would be great if we could at least say "hey" and meet you AND Karen and of course Lola and The Colonel!!!    I was hoping you'd say you both lived across the street from our Hotel - that would have been too easy!

[Jay, Lola and Colonel Esau]

Obviously I can't speak for Karen ... but we will stop by for sure.  Send me the dates, and I will put in it my calendar now.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Jay let me know about this conversation. (Thanks Jay) If you can find the time, I'll get there somehow, Carol! 

[Carol and Banjo]

Oh Karen.....it would be so great to see you!   I won't say "meet" you because I feel like we've met already.  ; -)       At this point I have no idea what kind of schedule we'll be on but hopefully even before arriving I'll have some idea and then we can try to plan for a little get together.    (Thankds Jay!!!)

[F, Calla & Luca]

Banjo is jumping for joy. Nice shot.

[Carol and Banjo]

Thanks F.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

There's that sweet Doodle!