When you photograph people in action, such as in sports and at work, the name of the game is anticipation, staying alert, and expecting the unexpected. Covering action events becomes an exercise in guesstimating where the action will take place and firing the shutter at the right moment.

A good action photographer relies on his knowledge of the event taking place; for example, if you will be photographing a General Quarters (GQ) drill and the principal players are going to be the Hull Maintenance Technicians, you could take a crash course in the job they will be performing during GQ. You might even observe them going through the drill a day or two before it is time to photograph them. Like a sports photographer-you must know the rules of the game. Even if you cannot learn the game, a photographer that understands the principles of shooting people in action can do a good job by following a few simple rules:

Anticipate the action. Watch for the unexpected moment.

Know the mechanical functions of your camera until they become reflex actions. This leaves your mind free to concentrate on the event.

Learn something about the action you plan to photograph.

The best pictures of people usually have action, implied or apparent. The action should be appropriate to the subject of the picture. The cook, for example, should not be shown in the boiler room (unless for a special reason or effect). Even a posed picture can have plenty of action and interest and not seem at all posed. Artificial, stiff effects kill the picture. Avoid static, dull pictures of groups staring directly into the camera Plan and shoot for action, such as applause shots or a speaker making gestures, or shots of an audience's facial reactions. Break up the overall scene into small groups of action, such as shots of important persons talking, the guest of honor shaking hands with others, and so forth. Even an attitude or arrangement of hands, feet, head, and shoulders often creates action. There is action in everyday living, in working, eating, drinking, smiling, arguing, driving, flying, sailing, and swimming. It is not so easy to capture action in still photographs, but by understanding the importance of action in a picture and the abundance of action available everywhere, you will soon become proficient at recognizing and picturing it. The blur technique has become popular for advertising and illustration use. Panning the camera with the action of a moving subject keeps the subject fairly sharp while blurring the background in a horizontal sweep, and this gives the feeling of action. A slow shutter speed is needed. Try the technique and see the interesting results.

A photo should have emotional mood and impact that can be accomplished by actual movement of a physical nature. The head may be raised in victory or joy or lowered in despair and sadness. The body sagging or the body squared away indicates different moods. Arms on the hips can indicate swagger, arrogance, or confidence. Hands in pockets indicate relaxation, or at the sides, may show formality. Knowing the elements of action, how to recognize them, and what moods they convey permits you to click the shutter at the right instant when you recognize outstanding action happening. The shooting angle, lighting, and composition all contribute to a feeling of action.

Action should always be photographed at its peak (fig. 6-5). This is a matter between the photographer and the photographer's own well-developed sense of motion. A highly capable photographer knows with certainty, at the instant he or she shoots, whether the picture will be a good one or not. This does not come from occasional picture taking but from steady, continual practice.