200 Canon Tips - Action

Squeeze every last ounce of performance out of your camera, and immortalise action-packed moments

SHOOT LIKE A PRO

Top-notch tips that will enhance your action-packed portfolio

1 Get it right in-camera

Continuously adjust exposure settings as light conditions change, so you’re always ready.

2 Back-button focus

Dedicate a back button on the rear of your Canon camera, usually the AF-ON button, to lock focus quicker, and prevent hunting. Plus it leaves half-pressing the shutter button to metering.

3 Find a new perspective

Seek out interesting angles, like a top-down view of a pirouetting ballerina or a low-angle shot of a diving keeper from behind the goal.

4 Freeze the decisive moment

A last-minute winning goal or first-place finishline celebration are more compelling than a consolation goal or mid-pack athlete’s finish.

5 Know your subject

Research your subject, and you’ll begin to anticipate movements.

Best kit advice

These tools will help you keep up with fleeting moments of action sports

6 Use fast lenses to blur backgrounds

Fast lenses are an action essential. They boast wider apertures, which makes it easier to isolate subjects with shallower depths of field, and gather more light, so you can maintain faster shutter speeds in lower lighting conditions.

Top techniques for composition

Compositional teachings that will help communicate your visions

7 Use super-fast bursts to capture the moment