Lessons Learned: Timing is critical

This Lesson Learned can be a challenge with modern cameras. I've found it extremely difficult with my SONYs to factor in the camera's built-in delay (for what reason, I can't imagine), and find myself yearning for a good, old-fashioned mechanical shutter release that fires when I want it to, rather than when the camera thinks it's a good idea.

Nonetheless, with practice we can capture images with reasonable timing accuracy. Here's how:

First, watch the action and pick your moment. Set the camera aside (or view the action through it without taking a picture). In this instance with the waves, for example, watch the entire sequence of events, from first swell through impact on the shore to recession back into the ocean. Practice picking the exact split-second when the wave looks best. Here, my intent was to capture it just as the top folded over with the sunlight shining through the back of the wave. In most cases, you'll see a definite peak of the action, and that's usually where you'll find a good picture.

OK, now that you know your timing goal, how do we achieve it? First, take care of all pre-sets, so that the exposure and focus are correct (this may mean holding the shutter-release button down halfway - tricky but possible with, you guessed it, more practice). Then brace solidly, follow the action with your camera, and squeeze the shutter button, timing it so that the "perfect moment" you picked a moment earlier will occur just as the shutter opens. Miss it? That's the beauty of digital cameras; look at your image and fine-tune your anticipation of the instant until you get it right.