How do you photograph and child without a TRIPOD?

I know tripods are ideal, but kids are always moving so I need the

freedom to move around. BUT, when I simply hold the camera, the focus

tends to be slightly off. IS practice simply the key, or is there a

certain technique?

perhaps your camera has AF-C (autofocus continously )or AF-A (.. automatic) if so, there is a good help for a moving subject.

 

Also you could close the apperture to a smaller area to bring more DOF (deepth of field). Take a look at the page http://www.dofmaster.com/dofjs.html to see how the focal lenght, and de distance to the object changes the DOF.

 

 

In the other hand, shoot with enough light to keep your shutter speed

1/60 or so. This 'recommended' speeds depends of the focal point of your lens. a simple known rule says: 1/[focal lenght] , so if you have a telephoto or zoom of 130mm you should shoot at 1/125 for acceptable results.

 

Another resource would be to change the ISO to 400 or 800. This has the consecuence of bringing a more grainy picture. In the newer and good digital cameras this is less noticed.

 

So basically, when shooting kids with a handheld camera: try to load fast ISO / move to a lighte place / whatch for your DOF / keep the shutter speed to 1/[Focal lengt] .

 

Hope I did i clear..

As Ruben said but of the many variables (DOF, AF and speed) I find that speed is the most

important. Essentially the trick is to use sport techniques :-)

 

--ben

Hi Paige, Remember things will blur up if *either* you *or* the child moves. Yes, a tripod will keep you from moving but it won't help your subject! <P>

 

I guess you could find out if your hand-holding technique could stand improving by taking test shots of stationary objects. If you still get blurry shots, it might be your technique coupled with using too slow of a shutter speed for the lens's focal length and amount of light you're working with.<P>

 

If this is the case consider a tripod, monopod or an Image Stabilized (IS) lens. They have a gizmo inside the lens that compensates if and when you move the lens while shooting and it really works well. IS is nice, but it won't do a thing if your subject is moving around.<P>

 

If you find that you can shoot still objects just fine and the child's movement is mostly causing the trouble, you could use flash which can freeze movement nicely. Or if you're using a DSLR that can be set to a high ISO without lots of noise, try using ISO 800 or 1600 which will give you faster shutter speeds.<P>

 

I'm a firm believer in Image Stabilized lenses. Here's a rather "corny" kid shot taken with one... ;-) Good luck!<P>

 

<center><img src="http://d6d2h4gfvy8t8.cloudfront.net/4088811-md.jpg"> </center>

The technique, Paige, is to practice, practice and practice. Good luck!

Hi Paige, yes, lots of practice, anticipation, ensuring your ISO/shutter speed/aperture/lighting conditions can sufficently 'freeze' the subject to your satisfaction. <br><br>

If your camera has the ability to fire off several shots in rapid succession, use it. With kids, I regularly fire off a series of up to 5 frames to ensure I get the composition/focus I am after. Does not work all the time, but it does help!<br><br>

The other crucial element that I feel many photographers forget when they photograph kids (and everybody else) is to totally relax, take your time (as much as possible), relate to the kid, play with them, engage them, demonstrate to them that it will be fun - only then do you start to aim your camera at them. Respect their wishes as well. I think you will find that once relaxed and having real fun, they are more natural and will even stay 'still' for 3 seconds if you ask them!<br><br>

Hope you have as much fun photographing the little angels as I do... they deserve our attention. M :)

A camera with good manual focus characteristics definitely helps. E.g. FM3A, F6, 5D etc.

fast film + fast lens + running shoes

Hit the child with the tripod ( if it is not you tripod)

 

With child photos the technicque is to take a lot of photos and som will be in focus.

 

www.micbach.dk

How do you photograph a child <I>with</I> a tripod? <BR><BR>

 

:)

I have never been able to shoot a child with a tripod. Make sure you have enough natural or strobe light give yourself an apeture of f11 or higher and start shooting.

You run through a lot of film and some of it is superb.

 

Seriously, one thing which might help is "anticipatory" autofocus. Different manufacturers call it by different names, but it works by focusing on an object at a finite distance, and locking in the autofocus circuitry, so that whenever anything get that close, the shutter fires.

 

Good shooting.

 

/s/ David Beal ** Memories Preserved Photography, LLC

wait until they're asleep... t (use strobe)

Get closer and range-focus with a wide-angle lens, smaller aperture, and fill flash.

With patience, perserverance and persistance. Something else called anticipation. As well as learning to use your camera manually and pre-focus on a given distance. I have photographed my children this way and has proved to be very successful. Yes, practise is certainly the key. Too many people want great results but are not willing to put in the time or effort. They expect the camera to do ALL the work. Whatever happend to refining our abilities, learning new skills and accepting challenges. Is it not more rewarding to get great results knowing you had a part in it. Maybe this is not what you wanted to hear Paige.