Capturing the Action

Article 4 min
Review these tips to improve your skills in capturing images of uncontrolled action

As a visual information communicator for the DoD, an essential part of your job is to photograph uncontrolled action, such as documenting military training and operations in progress. It can be challenging to take crystal clear action photos that adequately convey the intended message to your audience when your subject is in motion. Use the tips below to take the best possible uncontrolled action photographs.

  • Be prepared with the right equipment:
    • at least one camera
    • tripod
    • monopod
    • lenses
    • flash
    • fast memory cards
    • equipment bag or belt
    • weather protection for you and your gear
  • Learn your equipment inside and out.
  • Keep everything organized – it's essential for you to be able to access the equipment you need immediately.

U.S. Army Reserve Public Affairs Soldiers set up camera tripods and work together to create a coverage plan for the Task Force 46S end-of-course validation exercise at Fort McCoy, Wisconsin, July 20, 2019. (U.S. Army Reserve photo by Staff Sgt. Brigitte Morgan) Original photo was modified for learning purposes. Photo by DINFOS PAVILION Team
U.S. Army Reserve Public Affairs Soldiers set up camera tripods and work together to create a coverage plan for the Task Force 46S end-of-course validation exercise at Fort McCoy, Wisconsin, July 20, 2019.
U.S. Army Reserve Public Affairs Soldiers set up camera tripods and work together to create a coverage plan for the Task Force 46S end-of-course validation exercise at Fort McCoy, Wisconsin, July 20, 2019. (U.S. Army Reserve photo by Staff Sgt. Brigitte Morgan) Original photo was modified for learning purposes.
Photo by: DINFOS PAVILION Team
VIRIN: 200807-D-ZW071-0009

  • At least one DSLR and some long lenses, which are the best-suited lenses for capturing uncontrolled action.
  • Work with two or three lenses. A good guideline is 70-300 mm lens for the main action (you will need at least a 200 mm lens), and an 18-70 mm/50 mm lens for the less active shots.

U.S. Army Private First Class Shekinah Frye, photographer assigned to 55th Signal Company (Combat Camera), documents a river crossing exercise during Saber Guardian 17 over the Danube River, Bordusani, Romania, July 15, 2017. Saber Guardian is a U.S. Army Europe-led multinational exercise that spans across Bulgaria, Hungary and Romania with more than 25,000 service members from 22 allied and partner nations. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Timothy Villareal/Released) Original photo was modified for learning purposes. Photo by DINFOS PAVILION Team
U.S. Army Private First Class Shekinah Frye, photographer assigned to 55th Signal Company (Combat Camera), documents a river crossing exercise during Saber Guardian 17 over the Danube River, Bordusani, Romania, July 15, 2017
U.S. Army Private First Class Shekinah Frye, photographer assigned to 55th Signal Company (Combat Camera), documents a river crossing exercise during Saber Guardian 17 over the Danube River, Bordusani, Romania, July 15, 2017. Saber Guardian is a U.S. Army Europe-led multinational exercise that spans across Bulgaria, Hungary and Romania with more than 25,000 service members from 22 allied and partner nations. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Timothy Villareal/Released) Original photo was modified for learning purposes.
Photo by: DINFOS PAVILION Team
VIRIN: 200807-D-ZW071-0006

  • In the daytime, a shutter speed of at least 1/250 of a second is advisable.
  • At night try raising the ISO of your camera to around 1600 (or even to its maximum level) to allow more light.
  • In situations with changing light, like a cloudy day, cameras with an Auto ISO option are helpful. Adjust the maximum ISO value and minimum shutter speed and see how it frees you up to focus on the subject.

Senior Airman Gabriel Rubina, 375th Security Forces Squadron defender, patrols the base during a night shift at Scott Air Force Base, Ill., Jan. 30, 2020. 375th SFS defenders’ nightly operations include not only patrolling the base, but also defending the gate and responding to emergencies. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Tara Stetler) Original photo was modified for learning purposes. Photo by DINFOS PAVILION Team
Senior Airman Gabriel Rubina, 375th Security Forces Squadron defender, patrols the base during a night shift at Scott Air Force Base, Ill., Jan. 30, 2020
Senior Airman Gabriel Rubina, 375th Security Forces Squadron defender, patrols the base during a night shift at Scott Air Force Base, Ill., Jan. 30, 2020. 375th SFS defenders’ nightly operations include not only patrolling the base, but also defending the gate and responding to emergencies. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Tara Stetler) Original photo was modified for learning purposes.
Photo by: DINFOS PAVILION Team
VIRIN: 200807-D-ZW071-0007

  • Slow down your shutter speed to 1/100 of a second to highlight essential elements of an action, like a soldier firing a weapon. This will sharply highlight the subject with some intentional motion blur.
  • Another option is to pan the camera. Keep the subject sharp in the same position of the frame, while blurring the background instead.

British Royal Marines conduct an assault on Range 205 as part of Exercise Black Alligator aboard the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, Calif., Sept. 14, 2016. U.S. and British Royal Marines conducted bilateral training in urban warfare maneuvers at Twentynine Palms, Calif. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Levi Schultz) Original photo was modified for learning purposes. Photo by DINFOS PAVILION Team
British Royal Marines conduct an assault on Range 205 as part of Exercise Black Alligator aboard the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, Calif., Sept. 14, 2016.
British Royal Marines conduct an assault on Range 205 as part of Exercise Black Alligator aboard the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, Calif., Sept. 14, 2016. U.S. and British Royal Marines conducted bilateral training in urban warfare maneuvers at Twentynine Palms, Calif. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Levi Schultz) Original photo was modified for learning purposes.
Photo by: DINFOS PAVILION Team
VIRIN: 200807-D-ZW071-0011

  • Help make your pictures stand out by experimenting with new angles and new positions.
  • Look for interesting angles to capture the action.

Airmen with the U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command, Special Tactics Troop 2610 conduct joint training with Jordan Armed Forces in urban high angle rescue techniques at King Abdullah II Special Operations Training Center in Amman, Jordan, on Aug. 21, 2019. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Spc. Shadrach Hicks) Original photo was modified for learning purposes. Photo by DINFOS PAVILION Team
Airmen with the U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command, Special Tactics Troop 2610 conduct joint training with Jordan Armed Forces in urban high angle rescue techniques at King Abdullah II Special Operations Training Center in Amman, Jordan, on Aug. 21, 2019.
Airmen with the U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command, Special Tactics Troop 2610 conduct joint training with Jordan Armed Forces in urban high angle rescue techniques at King Abdullah II Special Operations Training Center in Amman, Jordan, on Aug. 21, 2019. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Spc. Shadrach Hicks) Original photo was modified for learning purposes.
Photo by: DINFOS PAVILION Team
VIRIN: 200807-D-ZW071-0002

  • Adjust the base autofocus (AF) setting to improve the quality of your photos – the best setting for uncontrolled actions is usually AF-C (continuous).
  • For focus area selections, pick one in the middle and lock it in.

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Allen Valdez with kilo company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment sights down range during a squad patrol at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, Feb. 25, 2020. Bougainville I is the beginning exercise that focus on squad level battle drills and tactical training aiming to strengthen the units pre-deployment readiness. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Eric Tso) Original photo was modified for learning purposes. Photo by DINFOS PAVILION Team
U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Allen Valdez with kilo company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment sights down range during a squad patrol at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, Feb. 25, 2020.
U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Allen Valdez with kilo company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment sights down range during a squad patrol at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, Feb. 25, 2020. Bougainville I is the beginning exercise that focus on squad level battle drills and tactical training aiming to strengthen the units pre-deployment readiness. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Eric Tso) Original photo was modified for learning purposes.
Photo by: DINFOS PAVILION Team
VIRIN: 200807-D-ZW071-0005

  • Know why you're there and what you're trying to document. Do your research ahead of time to help you prepare and understand the purpose of the event.  
  • Shoot the environment to help convey the emotion and paint the picture of the real story unfolding.

U.S. Marine Corps Col. George C. Schreffler III, commanding officer of 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, receives a wreath during a ceremony at the Aisne-Marne Memorial near Belleau, France, May 26, 2019. The ceremony commemorated the 101st anniversary of the Battle of Belleau Wood, which marked the first occasion in World War I for U.S. forces to operate on a large scale against the German Army.(U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Roxanna Ortiz) Original photo was modified for learning purposes. Photo by DINFOS PAVILION Team
U.S. Marine Corps Col. George C. Schreffler III, commanding officer of 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, receives a wreath during a ceremony at the Aisne-Marne Memorial near Belleau, France, May 26, 2019.
U.S. Marine Corps Col. George C. Schreffler III, commanding officer of 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, receives a wreath during a ceremony at the Aisne-Marne Memorial near Belleau, France, May 26, 2019. The ceremony commemorated the 101st anniversary of the Battle of Belleau Wood, which marked the first occasion in World War I for U.S. forces to operate on a large scale against the German Army.(U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Roxanna Ortiz) Original photo was modified for learning purposes.
Photo by: DINFOS PAVILION Team
VIRIN: 200807-D-ZW071-0008

  • Keep your eyes on the action. Do not check every photo you take on the camera's LCD. The best shots happen when you're looking away.
  • Get into the habit of only checking your LCD at intervals. Trust the camera settings you made with your test shots and focus your attention on capturing the action.

U.S. Marines with 1st Marine Logistics Group, 1st Transportation Support Battalion, Landing Support Company conduct an external lift testing the limits of the CH-53E Super Stallion, on Camp Pendleton, CA, January 15, 2019. Tipping the scales at around 28,000 lbs the Extended Boom Forklift provides Landing Support Company with a load that pushes the CH-53E near it’s external lift limits. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Sgt. Maximiliano Rosas) Original photo was modified for learning purposes. Photo by DINFOS PAVILION Team
U.S. Marines with 1st Marine Logistics Group, 1st Transportation Support Battalion, Landing Support Company conduct an external lift testing the limits of the CH-53E Super Stallion, on Camp Pendleton, CA, January 15, 2019.
U.S. Marines with 1st Marine Logistics Group, 1st Transportation Support Battalion, Landing Support Company conduct an external lift testing the limits of the CH-53E Super Stallion, on Camp Pendleton, CA, January 15, 2019. Tipping the scales at around 28,000 lbs the Extended Boom Forklift provides Landing Support Company with a load that pushes the CH-53E near it’s external lift limits. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Sgt. Maximiliano Rosas) Original photo was modified for learning purposes.
Photo by: DINFOS PAVILION Team
VIRIN: 200807-D-ZW071-0003

In general, keep the flash in your bag. Note that:

  • An on-camera flash may be prohibited where you are taking photographs.
  • After the camera flashes, the flash must recharge before you can capture another image. You do not want to miss any of the action.

Staff Sgt. Brandee Hahn, combat arms instructor from the 31st Security Forces Squadron, at Aviano Air Base, Italy, teaches an Air Force Qualification Course at Aviano’s indoor firing range, June 20. There were 12 members in the class. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Ericka A. Woolever) Original photo was modified for learning purposes. Photo by DINFOS PAVILION Team
Staff Sgt. Brandee Hahn, combat arms instructor from the 31st Security Forces Squadron, at Aviano Air Base, Italy, teaches an Air Force Qualification Course at Aviano’s indoor firing range, June 20
Staff Sgt. Brandee Hahn, combat arms instructor from the 31st Security Forces Squadron, at Aviano Air Base, Italy, teaches an Air Force Qualification Course at Aviano’s indoor firing range, June 20. There were 12 members in the class. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Ericka A. Woolever) Original photo was modified for learning purposes.
Photo by: DINFOS PAVILION Team
VIRIN: 200807-D-ZW071-0004

  • Try shooting some sequences. Some events lend themselves to sequences of photos.
  • When shooting an action sequence, make sure you select an angle with a clear view of the action, use fast enough shutter speeds and try to capture as many frames as possible.
  • Use the sequence to create a panorama or select the best shot.

A U.S. Service member with Special Operations Command, Pacific, jumps out of a CH-53E Super Stallion during parachute operations, Marine Corps Training Area Bellows, Marine Corps Base Hawaii, June 19, 2019. The unit worked with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 268 and Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 463 to become more proficient in parachuting operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Samantha Sanchez) Original photo was modified for learning purposes. Photo by DINFOS PAVILION Team
A U.S. Service member with Special Operations Command, Pacific, jumps out of a CH-53E Super Stallion during parachute operations, Marine Corps Training Area Bellows, Marine Corps Base Hawaii, June 19, 2019.
A U.S. Service member with Special Operations Command, Pacific, jumps out of a CH-53E Super Stallion during parachute operations, Marine Corps Training Area Bellows, Marine Corps Base Hawaii, June 19, 2019. The unit worked with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 268 and Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 463 to become more proficient in parachuting operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Samantha Sanchez) Original photo was modified for learning purposes.
Photo by: DINFOS PAVILION Team
VIRIN: 200807-D-ZW071-0010

Discover More You May Like

View All Articles