A picture taking question

lnbandcats

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I am hoping that someone will tell me how they take such good pictures of their cats/kittens in action. Every time I try to take a photo with my digital camera, the picture that actually is taken is always a few seconds after the actual photo that I wanted.
So I am constantly getting pictures of the my cats in a different pose or situation. Is there a specific way to use a digital camera so that I can capture the exact moment that I want? I feel like such a dope!
Thanks, Ellyn
 

jujubee

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I second that question! My camera is such a pain, when i press the button, it does not take the picture for like 2 seconds, by then it's too late!!!

I will add to the question; if i take a short movie with my digital camera, how can i manipulate the movie, when I have it on the computer to get a 'screen shot' of said movie?
 

liza24

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Originally Posted by lnbandcats

I am hoping that someone will tell me how they take such good pictures of their cats/kittens in action. Every time I try to take a photo with my digital camera, the picture that actually is taken is always a few seconds after the actual photo that I wanted.
So I am constantly getting pictures of the my cats in a different pose or situation. Is there a specific way to use a digital camera so that I can capture the exact moment that I want? I feel like such a dope!
Thanks, Ellyn
i would say try setting the cam to "action" so its able to take pics of moving things, and snaps faster.

Sounds like yours is a "point and shoot" cam, and not really for action shots. You can buy cams with faster snaps times.
 

liza24

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Originally Posted by JuJubee

I second that question! My camera is such a pain, when i press the button, it does not take the picture for like 2 seconds, by then it's too late!!!

I will add to the question; if i take a short movie with my digital camera, how can i manipulate the movie, when I have it on the computer to get a 'screen shot' of said movie?
you should have/get a program like PHOTOSHOP or ADOBE that you can use to make pics from movies and etc.
 

clixpix

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Unfortunately lots of digital cameras have a "delay". I don't believe there is any way to avoid it. Some of the newer cameras don't do this anymore.
 

icklemiss21

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As Kelly said, most cameras have a delay, but you can 'help' things along by using the action shot setting when the camera is already on and if your camera has a setting to take multiple pics one after the other that can help too.

As far as making a movie, pause it while playing and press the print screen button is the 'simple' method. They will not generally be very good quality though if taken with your digital camera
 

adymarie

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Don't blame the camera, blame the cat!


The little beggers move just when you snap the pic - they seem to have an instinct for it.
 

bonnie1965

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My camera will delay depending on how charged the batteries are and/or how much lighting it has to look for. My apartment is usually darker when I take photos (evening or night). Even with all my light sources on, it still takes some time.

When the cats are playing, I just keep clicking hoping to catch a good shot. I usually will get at least one this way but most are shots of tails or feet or a back
I delete those


I still wish I could get shots like some people here do. They are awesome.
 

bonnie1965

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Originally Posted by icklemiss21

As Kelly said, most cameras have a delay, but you can 'help' things along by using the action shot setting when the camera is already on and if your camera has a setting to take multiple pics one after the other that can help too.
On my Canon there is a "sports" setting which is the same as action setting. It does not work with the flash, though. So, I have never been able to use it with my two
Its great for capturing pics of the nieces and nephews playing/skateboarding/skating
 

sarahp

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I get the camera into a position where I think the kitty will be, then press the button half down so it auto focuses, then play with a toy, and press the button the rest of the way once the kitty is jumping.

I end up with a bunch of empty photos, or photos with a head cut off, but then I occasionally get gems like these:





But the only way I can do it (using the flash) is to have the camera already auto focused. It there's plenty of natural light, then go for the sports setting.
 

jenny82

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Originally Posted by clixpix

Unfortunately lots of digital cameras have a "delay". I don't believe there is any way to avoid it. Some of the newer cameras don't do this anymore.
That's what I was going to say. I could never get good cat pictures with my old camera because it had a significant delay. My new camera has almost no delay.
 
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lnbandcats

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Originally Posted by clixpix

Unfortunately lots of digital cameras have a "delay". I don't believe there is any way to avoid it. Some of the newer cameras don't do this anymore.
Oh dear - this IS my new camera!
I will look for the action setting - I do think there is one, I just haven't found it, yet.
Thank you everyone for your help!
Ellyn
 

jujubee

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I found my action setting by going thru the on screen guide. So your setting may be 'in' the camera, rather than 'on' the camera. Know what i mean?
 
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lnbandcats

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Yes I do - I got a pretty simple camera that I can actually understand (most of the time) But I have all ready misplaced the guide book which actually had
details and tips on taking pictures...grrrrrr....I know it has a continuous picture mode as well. I will just have to play around more - I just envy
all of you who post beautiful pictures of your cats - and all I manage to shoot is their behind or tail or paw or a blur!
 
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