Capturing kids in action: try it yourself
This is the practical for the lesson. Work through it in order. Nothing here is a test of memory. Keep the lesson open if you need it and check the instructions as often as you like.
Aim
You should be able to distinguish motion blur from missed focus and see why preparing before the action matters.
What you need
Your own camera or phone, enough battery power to complete the exercise, and a memory card or free storage space where your equipment requires it. You do not need to buy anything specially for this practical.
Do this step by step
- Use a consenting family member or substitute a moving pet/toy if appropriate.
- Choose a safe, predictable movement such as running across the garden rather than towards traffic or obstacles.
- Use a sports/action mode or a shutter-priority setting around 1/500 second as a starting experiment if your camera allows it.
- Activate continuous autofocus if available.
- Follow the subject smoothly and take a short burst.
- Repeat at a slower shutter speed and compare the kind of blur you get.
What should happen
You should be able to distinguish motion blur from missed focus and see why preparing before the action matters.
If it does not work
Stop rather than changing lots of things at once. Check that the camera is switched on, the battery has charge and the card or storage is available. Then return to the last step that definitely worked. If a named control is missing, your camera may use a different name or menu location. Check the manual for your exact model. Never force a card, battery, lens, door or control.
Before you finish
Explain out loud, or in one sentence on paper, what you changed and what happened. If you can explain the result in your own words, you have understood the exercise. If you cannot, repeat the part that was unclear.