3, 2, 1, Action!,

OK, you have action, but how do you catch it without the picture being blurred beyond distinction?

There are two main ways to approach Action.

The First is to produce a perfectly clear picture of a subject in action. I call this

The Crystal Method

You can do this by using a very fast shutter-speed and by carefully following the face of your subject. This can be very difficult and it takes a lot of practice, but can be mastered with diligence.

The Second is to produce a picture that is blurred in places to show motion. I call this one

The Distortion Method

Use a slower shutter-speed, focus and follow the subjects face and the face should appear clear, while the rest of the image should be blurred slightly. Again, this takes patience.

Children

• Position yourself at the middle of their "track" to enable you to catch your subjects after they've sped up and before they begin to slow down.
  
• Try to get right up close and take the picture right before they run over you...then you better get out of the way! :)
• Then experiment with the two methods above, there is no wrong method.

Sports

• First off, use a telephoto lens, if you don't have one stick to sporting events where you can get really close to the field.
• In sports I have found it best to use the "crystal" method though you are not limited to that method.
• Choose to either focus on a certain player (perhaps a sibling or child) and focus on their face and follow their face across the field/court then when the time is right take the picture.
• The other way is to focus on the ball (perhaps at a college or professional sporting event) and follow the ball across the field/court and take the picture in the heat of the action.
• As you watch the game follow the action, this will determine where you aim the camera.

Animals

• Using the Crystal Method, focus on the head, follow the animal across the plane and hit the shutter freezing the animal in time.
  
• Using the Distortion Method, focus on their face, follow the animal across the plane, and let the rest of their body blur. With four-legged creatures (i.e. dogs or cats) this method produces a very pleasing picture.
• If it's a dog play fetch or "tag" and get him to run towards you, snap the picture right before he gets to you.
• Bring along some treats or food scraps, persuade your pet that it is in his best interests that he cooperates...:D

Water

• I personally favor the Distortion method though you can use either method.
• If you use a longer shutter-speed (say 1/4 or longer) you can achieve a smooth silky surface.
• Pick a pretty foreground/background such as some lush, green foliage to frame the waterfall/river.
  
• Consider the rule of thirds.