Beat the Blur: How to Capture Sharp Photos of Moving Subjects
Have you ever tried to photograph your child running across the soccer field, a dog leaping through the air, or a bird in flight—only to end up with a blurry mess instead of a crisp, action-packed shot? You’re not alone. Motion blur is one of the most common frustrations for new photographers. The good news? It’s also one of the easiest problems to solve once you understand a few key principles.
Let’s break down the most common causes of blur in action photography—and how you can fix them today.
The Shutter Speed Secret
When you’re photographing movement, your shutter speed is everything. A slow shutter lets in more light—but also records more movement, which causes blur. If your subject is in motion, you need to freeze that motion by increasing your shutter speed. Think of it like this: the faster your subject moves, the faster your shutter needs to be.
Here are a few ballpark shutter speed recommendations:
- Walking person: 1/250 sec
- Running child or dog: 1/500 to 1/1000 sec
- Sports or wildlife: 1/1000 to 1/2000+ sec
Learning how to control this setting—and balancing it with ISO and aperture for proper exposure—is something we teach step-by-step in our Digital 1: Beginner Photography Workshop.
Autofocus Matters
Another silent blur-causer? Your autofocus settings. If your camera isn’t locking on to the moving subject quickly enough, you’ll end up with a sharp background and a blurry subject. Switching to Continuous Autofocus (AF-C or AI Servo) tells your camera to keep focusing as your subject moves—giving you a much better chance of getting that tack-sharp shot.
We walk you through these settings hands-on, right on your own camera, during our workshops. No guessing. No tech confusion. Just results.
Stability and Shooting Technique
While motion blur usually comes from the subject moving, sometimes it’s the photographer who introduces the shake—especially in low light or when holding a long lens. Learn to brace yourself, use both hands, and where possible, lean on a wall or use a monopod. In our classes, we demonstrate and coach these techniques in real-time so you don’t just learn about photography—you experience it.
Learn It. Do It. Master It.
There’s no substitute for real-time coaching—and that’s exactly what you’ll get at Learn Photography Canada. Our Digital 1: Beginner Photography Workshop is your #BESTSTART in photography. You’ll learn how to use your camera with confidence in real-world settings, not stuck in a classroom or lost in an online video.
We believe photography should be hands-on, in-person, and fun. That’s why our workshops are small, personal, and community-based—so you get plenty of one-on-one time with expert instructors who care about your growth.
And if you’re ready to take it further? We offer a full photography certification program that takes you from beginner to professional. Whether you’re dreaming of a creative career or want to build a seriously fun side hustle that actually makes money, we’ve got the path—and the coaching—to get you there.
Ready to stop missing the shot?
Join us for the next Digital 1: Beginner Photography Workshop near you and take your first step toward sharper, clearer, more confident photography.
👉 https://learnphotographycanada.com