Jess, I just want to say thank you. You are the only one that seems to explain the things I actually have trouble with. No one else seems to cover this stuff.
How wonderfully spot on you pitch these videos to a language/technical level that both professionals and amateurs can greatly benefit from. Thus they are inclusive to beginners like myself who are able to understand them and gradually build up knowledge and skills. You have a very natural, down to earth personality delivering these videos with honesty and respect for the fact that we all have our own ways of doing things, just offering your own personal guidance/recommendations as an award winning professional. I have much respect for you and thank you Jess 😁
Thank you so much for your brilliantly clear style of teaching! I photograph cats more often than dogs but pretty much everything is applicable to cats 🐈! Fantastic!! X
Thank you. I take lots of action shots of dog and bees. I learnt about Al servo years ago and it makes all the difference. I’ve watched many videos just trying to learn a bit more. Your the first person I’ve watch to ever mention the Al servo options. Nice one and thank you. Great videos 👌
This was my first video and it helped me so much!! Now im working my way through them all and can't wait for my first 1 on 1. Thanks jess for bringing light into these tough times.
Thank you for the video 😊 I’ve just bought my first ever camera (Canon EOS 1300d) specially to take pictures of my dogs. Currently struggling to balance the elements in manual mode 😂
You are the best! I love the information, and how you present it...you are so full of personality! Thanks for sharing all you have learned over the years!!! You keep sharing, I'm going to keep learning! :-)
Wow, the hair turned out great! My hair would be a train wreck if I tried to cut my own, but you did a lovely job with those layers. As for the shooting, now I have to borrow a fast dog to practice on. Thanks for the detailed instructions!
Good info. I run aperture priority on a Sony A9 usually with 70-200gm and then auto iso as well but I do change my min shutter speed to 1000. I let the camera pick and the a9 does a good job. I’ve been shooting zone but I’ll try flex spot. Thanks for the tips!
THANKYOU!!!!! Fabulous video!!! I'm going out this weekend, first time doing moving subject 🐎, everything I've done until now is dead still lol... Wish me luck
Hey ! Once again, this video is SO useful, so thank you very much for that ! I'm shooting with sony a7ii. At the beginning I was so excited when I found out the flexible spot for action but quickly disappointed because, with my camera and lenses (cheap 50mm 1.8 and 85mm 1.8), it seems like it focuses "randomly"... I mean : the spot is not always following the dog or, if it is, I can't manage keeping it on the eye. Did it happen to you too with Sony ? Too bad that with a7ii you can't use Eye-AF in AF-C mode ... :/ When you were using Sony, were you always shooting with Eye AF mode (portrait and action)? I'm really considering going on a a7iii for this tool, it seems really useful !! Anyway, you're advice in this video are very precious, it will certainly help me during my next shoot ! :D
I changed to a different camera with so many new detailed settings. I think I understood right that AF point has to be set to 1 point AF. But the metering options look very similar and also include a single spot amidst others. What is the best choice for metering setting please? I have a canon r7 if that matters.
Good morning! Just wanted to ask for some recommendations! I'm just getting my toes in with photography! I'm currently doing lots of dog and dog sport photos with my phone camera (not very good quality but getting used to the setting and iso etc) I'm looking for a step up. I'm needing something that can capture quick movements and being able to capture pictures from 200 to 400 yards away. There's so many options and being a beginner I'm overwhelmed to say the slightest! I want to get a camera that will give me good quality and a big step up from my phone camera! Open to all the recommendations.😊
Great video and presentation. I will subscribe. I have a Canon R5 with 85mm 1.2 lens. My questions. 1) should a shutter speed of 1/1000 work or should I use quicker 2) have you ever used strobes / fill flash - or will that distract the dog 3) should I use eye autofocus 4) how far are you typically from the dog as he jumps. 5) I assume late afternoon is best for best light 6) is f1.2 too open. Thanks
Thank you so much for the great feedback 🙏 We have two 'Action' videos that will help answer most if not all of your questions 😊. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-_cjb147xLyE.html and ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-DHPM2VOQqEA.html I don't use flash with action shots outdoors personally but no reason why you can't. Hope this helps 😊
This is extraordinarily helpful! Thanks, Jess. The animal-tracking features of the EOS R3 are so good, but make me feel like I’m not doing anything. Your explanation makes clear why and how those presets work. I know this will make me better.
Jess , Great tips I have the Sony A9 and love the electronic shutter. The tracking feature for animals is awesome. In my area of the US we have 25 photographers and they all shoot people. Im changing my style and going to Dog/Animal photography and maybe increase my business. Thanks
Have you used the sony new tracking feature ? I struggle a lot with my dog running with sony a7iii, mine doesn’t have the new tracking feature and wonder if it’s worth upgrading, thanks
The other evening I tried to photograph a running lurcher puppy. My goodness that was an experience and so very different to a labrador as his head was bouncing up and down so much. I have a canon 1200d entry level camera and canon f2.8 70-200mm lens I'm a beginner with. I used f2.8, 1250 shutter and auto ISO with a limit of 1600. It was two hours before dusk and good, soft light and showing on light meter as correctly exposed. As I sat at the end of a fairly tight pathway beside the marsh reeds and the dog ran, i found it almost impossible to get my focus point on his eye. I was on AI servo continual shoot and at 70mm. I used the top right of the nine focus points to try get good composition but I don't know if I was a bit ambitious and should have just gone for a centre shot. All good practice though but I do need to learn where I went wrong. One actually did turn out okay ish but by far not at all sharp or what I'm hoping to eventually achieve. It's hard also when camera shows several stops up or down as correctly exposed so you have to choose what shutter. Amanda
Jess thank you so much for these videos - I'm a new subscriber and really enjoying catching up. One question about settings - I shoot Nikon and there is also an AF-C priority selection which can be set to release or focus. Would one of these two choices be preferable for action shots?
I usually composite multiple dogs if shooting outdoors - however, you can just use a huge f-number for a massive depth of field. Best case scenario is to have both dogs on the same focal plane, but this isn't possible with action (unless you get very lucky!)
So helpful, I haven't been moving the camera up and down with the dog's movement (although it seems completely logical now you say it!) so I'm gong to try next time.
That depends completely on the scene you are in, not the type of shot you are shooting - if the dog is very different in brightness to the scene (black dog on the beach, for example), you'll probably be best with spot or centre weighted and a - in the compensation. If both are balanced, matrix is fine :)
Hi Jess, I have been following your Instagram account and have finally made the time to check out your channel. THANK YOU! Your account is wonderful and your video so helpful. I cannot wait to practice what you have taught here. Keep up the amazing work.
Hi Jess, I hope you are well. I've just started my Photography Business and specialising in Pet Photography. I came across your channel towards the end of my photography degree and just wanted to say, it has been fantastic to pick up some tips and tricks. I am really enjoying the channel. Ben
Hey Ben, thats great! Make sure you get lots of real-world shooting experience as the degrees are very art focussed and less commercial work focussed! I'm sure you'll nail it!
Pretty sure at some point I say 1/1000s is the minimum for me, but 1/1500s is my preferred with my speedy crazies! I would use flash for action in studio, but not outdoors due to lack of control of where the dog is going to go!
Hello Jess, I need some advice. I have a Canon eos 6D Full Frame and a Sigma 85/1.4 ART lens and I still can't get a sharp photo of a dog running or jumping. I don't know how to set it up correctly, I've tried different settings. I shoot with aperture priority .I also have AI SERVO set up. Can you advise me how to do that? Thank you very much
Unfortunately I am unable to offer one to one support via direct message or comments. Questions like this can be answered in our live Q&A's which are part of our memberships or during a one to one 😊
Hi there Jess! So I've been binge watching your videos, and I appreciate the time and effort you put in to helping other photographers. So I'd like to thank you for that! My photography is mostly dogs as well (including photos of dog trainers, couples, families- all with their dogs, for their own purposes). I've heard about the back focus button in the past, but I guess I was too much of a beginner to try it (I've been shooting for about 2.5 years now). I was wondering perhaps you can upload a video focusing on this subject? Back focus button on AI Servo for movement photos? I tried the button yesterday for the first time and took photos of a woman that did NOT move, and the focus came out horrible! I focused with the back button on her eyes, kept my thumb on the button while pressing the shutter button- perhaps that wasn't the right way? I also hope I set it the correct way, I found an article...but there's so much info out there that I'm afraid it's wrong (I have a crop Canon 800D). Thanks in advance!!!
Great video easy to follow. You are great at delivering these videos. Will try these settings later with my two dogs. Great big thank you 👍🐕🏴 ps keep posting..
Stupid question, but gotta ask...Nikon...back-button focusing, while tracking and shooting do you keep the dedicated back-button continually depressed? Thank you for all of your incredible content...it has made a big difference in all my photography.
Not stupid! Yep when I'm happy that the point is over the eye I depress the button and track with my hand with the button held down and shoot as and when required ☺️
I am super beginner, but do the photography for the rescue I volunteer at. The lighting is aweful in the rescue building. I just use sports mode on my canon t7i to avoid flash but instead rub into the camera shake. Anything I can do to get around this? Especially since my subjects are not very trained or still lol.
If you can shoot in either manual or semi auto use your ISO for more light. Check out the exposure triangle video here ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-7GOcQz2v53o.html 😊🤓
Just found your channel, its awesome! Regarding the Single Point of focus, do you set that to one point and try to take the shot when the dog is on that point, by moving your camera. Or do you move that single point round your screen with the joystick as the dog moves, trying to keep the camera relatively still?
The first - only because at the speed some dogs move, you have next to zero chance of moving that point anywhere accurate! But you could try it if you feel adventurous 🤓
I'm just starting out and really enjoying your videos! Regarding focus point. I've been using single point focus on my Canon 77d with sigma 70-200 2.8 or 50mm 1.8. For action, outside I use the 70-200. There is the option of single point focus and then AF single point, where the camera will start from that one point if needed. Which would you recommend? I guess in theory the AF single point will aid with the dogs head bobbing up and down as he/she runs or it is best to attempt to follow in one single set point only. Thanks.
It is best to use the fixed single point because this will train you to be a much better photographer, and also hone your skills to focus just on the eyes rather than the potential for the focus to grab the nose instead, or a high contrast marking (like a Dalmatian's spot, for example) instead of the dogs eye. However, if you're in a pinch, having the camera do some of the work is ok, it's just not the best way to become a reliable, solid photographer (in my personal opinion!)
Thank you for all the great content you provide! I love it all. I am looking at my Nikon D750 but am unable to pull up the Subject motion screen as you have here. I can change the length of time for focusing but cannot choose erratic and steady movement...I wonder if its only an option to the D500 and D850? Shame if it is. I think it could be a game changer for me with horse and dog events. :/
Okay, first: great content. Second: I wondered (in previous videos) how you look like with your hair loose. And this (video) is the answer! Yes, love your haircut! ✂️☺️🙏😊
Great videos. Had a look at my Nikon D750 and the focus setting slightly different. Focus tracking with lock on goes from 1 short to 5 long. is this the same as yours? shame that it also doesn't have the irratic setting. trying to get the best out of my agility photography. love the vids.
@@ThatPhotographySpot thank you for the reply. I've tried it on the settings an the auto focus does seem to be a lot snappier and quicker. love the videos and have asked to join the FB group just waiting for acceptance
Jess just wanted to say thank you for what you do and i am just getting into dog photography and enjoy the channel. keep it up great to watch and learn. vince
Thank you Vince - to be honest with you it was much easier on my self-confidence when I had 3 subscribers and 1 view per video - the more the channel grows the more terrified I get but you only live once don't you! Thank you for stopping by and if you haven't already, please do subscribe 😊
Just found this channel. Thank you so much for all this advice and coaching, it's going to be such a help. I'm looking forward to learning lots from you. It's going to be hard to drag myself of continuous shooting tho. 😂
Hey James, you can still shoot continuous for sure, both in drive more and in focus (AF-C), however, you want to be in full control of that trigger finger, only press it when you NEED to, not just all the time. It will improve your overall timing so much!
@@ThatPhotographySpot Yeah, that makes sense. It's definitely inspired me to get out and practice. Might start of with some portraits and work up to action shots. 👍
Hi Jess, you suggested the 70-200, which is a mist apparently for action I cannot invest in a new lens at the moment, so I have tried using my sony 85 mm. When the subjet is far away, no face in focus, when he gets closer, face detection quite alright, but no eye detection. I have a sony A7III and I tried with the flexible spot and the zone, speed over 600. Can you suggest something? The lock on af doesn't work with animal face detection.
Hey Elisa, ok firstly check that tour cameras firmware is up to date. Secondly, just focus on using the smallest flexible spot option you have and keeping it on the eye - don’t worry about face, eye-AF or other things just yet. In the Sony settings there is an option for AF speed (I changed it just today!) so I’m hoping you have that on yours - it was a scale from 1-5 and 5 was the fastest response, try find that. Make sure you’re not shooting with strong backlight or low light whilst you’re practicing as the cameras job will be made much, much harder and you won’t know if it’s you or the camera that’s missing these shots! Finally, practice practice practice - this is a skill that does take time to get really good at ☺️
Hey. So I had a go at using back button focus today, obviously I am not used to it but it feels very awkward especially when trying to shoot moving dogs. I need to hold it down then when ready to shoot release the back button then hit the shutter button. There is going to be more of a delay in this than going from half shutter button to fully pressed. By which time the dog has moved more than I want. Is it just going to take time and practice to get it right or am I doing something wrong. Thanks
Hey Stewart - I’m not 100% sure I’ve understood correctly so just in case I’m going to explain it from start to finish as best I can - bare with me: Dog is in front of you making a mad dash towards your lens. You have 2 buttons - one controls ONLY focussing and nothing else, the other controls ONLY taking the actual photo (shutter) and nothing else. You press your focussing button with your thumb and begin to focus & track the dog using your hands to move the camera to hold the point steady over the face/eye. Continue holding (AF-C / AI Servo will keep focussing all the time). Then, when we’re ready to fire off that shot, you keep your focus thumb down and going, but you just tap your shutter button down with your index finger of the same hand. So at the time the shot was taken, in this instance (action) - both buttons are being pressed - one with your thumb (focus) and one with your finger (shutter). I personally rest my finger over the shutter button all the time, I don’t take it away, but some people do I think. For me I like to keep it as close as possible to just “pop” “pop” a shot here or there as needed. The thumb is the real workhorse here working that focus activation for you & your camera. Make a bit more sense?
@@ThatPhotographySpot Thanks for the detailed reply. I was trying it (well I think I was) the way you described. However I found if my thumb was pressed the shutter wouldnt work. I had to release thumb for shutter to work. I have just tried again in the house and I think what was happening was I was trying to take the picture when it was still trying to focus. So basically all of the above was a waste of time. At least you got some engagement on your video.....thats always good right :)
Jesse can you give me information on the best SD card for a running dog.I'm working on the Nikon D750 in burst mode but running out of burst when dog is near me. What is your opinion on the san disc 64GB 170MB/s as an SD card? Thanks
I use these, amzn.to/3fmZY09 - You could get the UHS-II version for faster transfer still but most of our cameras don't need that speed just yet (unless your shooting video in a high frame rate?) 😊
Jess, I have a Nikon d750. When i go into a3 Focus tracking with lock on, my choices are AF 5 LONG, AF4,AF3 (NORMAL) AF2, AF1 SHORT and OFF. The default on the Camera seems to be 3 but there are no further choices in this menu. Can you let me know which is the best setting for fast action. Thanks a mil.
Either AF1 if you're new to following the subject precisely with your hands, or OFF if you think you can hand-track like a pro :) For more info check out page 328 (page 356 of the PDF) of the manual for your camera: download.nikonimglib.com/archive3/zfZiH00gS82A04CSS4P024qk3H46/D750FM_DL(En)05.pdf
Thank you! Other than moving up and down with the dogs, and the number changed from 3 to 2, I've been doing all this (hit and miss) and I've definitely been spraying and praying! I would love to know more about the shutter speed and ISO settings to use. When I use sports mode I get the best action shots, but they're always noisier, so I feel like I have to choose between less noise but less sharp.
Hey Betty, usually IS off with longer lenses because I’ve found, as with many others, it tends to only be super useful below 1/1000s which is slower than we’d use for fast dogs ☺️
Hey again Jess! I have recently just invested in a Canon 7D and it unfortunately only seems to focus manually! I suppose this means I cannot take action photos right? x
No worries! No, I'm still to figure it all out lol. It is one hell of a camera still for how the model has been out for! I currently use the Nifty Fifty f1.8 and do not own any other lens atm@@ThatPhotographySpot
Wedding photographer that started photographing dogs as a hobby with and old canon 5D. Motion is a disaster for me, nearly nothing in this video I can apply on that camera, and it made me realize I need to get some Sony gear for my pet photo hobby...
@@ThatPhotographySpot for hobby it works, but there's only about a 10% success rate on trotting or faster dogs. With a good DoF the eyes are just easy to miss for a camera with no subject tracking and a heap of age on it.
I have the Sony a9 version 1 and it definitely locks on the eyes of the dogs and tracks exceptionally well if you are looking for different camera they can be picked up rather cheap with the newer models coming out. I do find these videos very helpful and have recently subscribed after finding them. I take pictures of dogs mostly because we do dog rescue so we are always needing pictures of dogs. Of course the dog in these videos is such a well trained dog, I hope you do more videos on training dogs. I do know from the Border Collies we have helped they are very smart and love to please their families but still you have done a wonderful job with training . Keep up the great work.