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Action photography is an underestimated skill and an overused technique in many photography genres. In some subject areas, such as microscopic flowers or bridal photos, action photography plays no role at all and actually detracts from the overall value of a shot. When working with animals or children, during a crowded game or inside a competitive photo field, action photography and its details are worth mastering.
Action shots to be usable for micro stock vending need to have clarity, resolution and balance. Since many DSLR cameras may not be able to deliver that with their user’s current skill level, video functions especially in HD can capture motion. Motion photography for children, animals, nature, sports, and other markets can generate very commercial looking photographs.
More Internet viewers sees action photography than they realize. Natural portrait and magazine photography as published in the last half century has been based on the natural flow of movement for facial and human body form images. Only when using fixed lights, tungsten lighting, or special film is “still” photography used. Photos captured from video will like normal images when framed within a text block or border table online.

The composition of action shots should follow a “downbeat” rhythm. Don’t wait for the “photo bite” moment and then depress the image capture button. Learn to press down on the off-rhythm, capturing the sudden and unexpected action a child, animal, or game might take in milliseconds. The picture may be somewhat fuzzy, but a 12 mega pixel fuzzy image breaks down to a 150 by 150 pixel image that is sharp enough to cut cake.

The above image of taken from a surface elevated train coming out of downtown Los Angeles. The Gold Line travels north out of Los Angeles to Pasadena, and for those ready with a good camera and a video setting, some excellent panorama type skyline shots are available. The image shadow I have left in from the other side of the train, the sunlight threw the light back to my side of the train.

For micro stock vending, this image of the Los Angeles topography would have to be pretty good to warrant all the cleanup of that shadow from the sky color. But next time the trains rolls North, I’ll be paying attention to the time of day, the sunlight, and the shadow. And maybe get some outstanding Los Angeles skyline shots. Practice like this makes action shots turn into landscape and travel market photos easily.

 

 

 

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