Action Shots with Fast TAMRON Zoom Lenses

Whether it be a dog bounding happily across the beach, a sports team jumping for joy and celebrating a big win, or a flock of birds gliding through the air, action shots can make for some of the most compelling imagery.

However, photographing your subject while they are in motion is often regarded as one of the most technically difficult forms of photography, and it requires careful planning. There’s also an element of luck at play, but that can be part of the thrill.

The challenge action photography presents can get many photographers frustrated quickly, but with the help of fast telephoto zoom like the Tamron 70-200mm or Tamron 70-180mm, you’ll be able to easily capture your subject in stunning quality, whether they be running, jumping, tumbling, or flying. We’ll also be going over some general action photography tips, so you can make the most of the opportunities you’re presented when using the Tamron 70-200mm lens or Tamron 70-180mm lens.

Action photography typically encompasses sports and wildlife photography, but the techniques can be applied to involve any number of subjects across a variety of genres. Additionally, the Tamron SP 70-200mm F/2.8 Di VC USD G2 (Model A025) for Canon and Nikon DSLR cameras (or mirrorless with the manufacturer adapter) and Tamron 70-180mm F/2.8 DI III VC VXD G2 (Model A065) for full-frame Sony E-mount mirrorless cameras, will serve you well for more than just action shots.

Essential Action Photography Equipment

When you set out to take some great action photography shots, you’ll need more than just stellar lenses like the Tamron 70-200mm lens or Tamron 70-180mm lens. You’ll also need a sturdy, reliable tripod, and a fast memory card. The tripod will help you get sharp images every time, and a quick memory card will help you get to your next shot faster.

Most Important Camera Settings

There are three key variables in photography – shutter speed, aperture, and ISO and experienced photographers will know them well. Perhaps more than any other genre, understanding how the interplay of these elements is key to getting amazing action shots, so you should familiarize yourself with them and play around with the appropriate settings on the lens and camera.

Shutter Speed

Action photography is all about capturing subjects in motion, making shutter speed crucial to getting good shots. We recommend you set your shutter speed before touching any other setting and then adjust everything else accordingly. It’s common to select fast shutter speeds anywhere from 1/500-1/1,000 when taking action shots, but in sports photography especially. However, if you want to accentuate blur, a slower shutter speed would be more optimal.

Aperture

Because you’ll often be shooting at high shutter speeds, you’ll need a wide aperture, so enough light is let in for the photo to be properly exposed. This typically means you’ll want an aperture around f/2.8 or f/4, so you’re letting enough light in. However, if you’re shooting in broad daylight, then an aperture of f/8 or higher may be necessary.

ISO

In addition to widening the aperture to get a well-exposed shot, we also recommend you increase your ISO. This will make the camera better at capturing images in low light conditions.

Interested to learn more about why the Tamron 70-200mm lens or the Tamron 70-180mm lens are great for action photography? Find an authorized Tamron dealers in your area or visit the TAMRON Store today.

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