Shooting events requires you to adjust midstream

by Stanley LearyPhotography
Rosen Shingle Creek in Orlando, Florida [Fuji X-E3, 10-24mm ƒ/4, ISO 12800, ƒ/4, 1/50]

I have been covering an annual meeting for a client these past few days. For the most part, I can set my camera to these settings:

Aperture Priority
Auto ISO – ISO 100-12800 on Fuji X-E3 & ISO 100-102,400 on Nikon D5 with starting shutter speed @ 1/100 or 1/200.

I find that in places I am working fast that I tend to take the shutter speed up a little faster to avoid getting motion in photos due to being anxious.

Christian band MercyMe [Nikon D5, 28-300mm ƒ/5.6, ISO 6400, ƒ/5, 1/200]

So for about 90% of the photos, this works just well. I was able to capture speakers and people hanging out at the event.

Christian band MercyMe [Nikon D5, 28-300mm ƒ/5.6, ISO 6400, ƒ/5.6, 1/200]

Now the problem comes that if you are not used to shooting a variety of things when you get the Olympic Gymnast Laurie Hernandez performing shooting at 1/200 will make her look out of focus and blurred.

Lauren Zoe “Laurie” Hernandez is an American artistic gymnast. She competed as a member of the U.S. women’s gymnastics team at the 2016 Summer Olympics, winning gold in the team event and silver on the balance beam. She is performing for Chick-fil-A. [Nikon D5, 28-300mm, ISO 16000, ƒ/5.6, 1/4000]

Since I shoot sports as well I just switched my Auto ISO shutter speed setting to 1/4000. I have this saved as a preset that I choose on my Nikon D5.

Comedian Jim Gaffigan was tonight’s performance for Chick-fil-A. [Nikon D5, 28-300mm, ISO 2000, ƒ/5.6, 1/200]

I also must remember to switch the camera back so that I am always getting the best quality, which is the lowest ISO at the slowest shutter speed I can shoot safely to get sharp photos.

Hope this tip reminds you to check your shutter speed when shooting events. Is it set to stop the action appropriately?