The Art of Freezing Motion

How to capture sharp images in Action Photography

One of the unique benefits of still photography is its ability to "freeze" time. Rapid events that last only fractions of a second can be captured as single moments, often revealing details that the eye cannot catch in real time or that are hard to see in moving images.



Text & Photo by Ole J Liodden
Last updated: 24.04 2025


Choose a Fast shutter speed

To effectively freeze fast-moving subjects, it's crucial to use a fast shutter speed. The ideal shutter speed will vary depending on the situation, but a shutter speed of around 1/1600 second is a good starting point, as it will freeze most movements. For very fast action, such as birds in flight, a shutter speed faster than 1/2000 second may be necessary.


Arctic tern in Svalbard

Arctic tern © Ole J Liodden

200-600mm, 1/2500 sec, f/6,3, ISO 400


Focus on the Eye

When photographing animals, birds, or people, focus on the eyes. Many modern cameras have advanced and reliable autofocus (AF) systems with eye-tracking, which helps maintain sharpness exactly where it's needed. Make sure your AF settings are optimised for this type of capture.


Rockhopper penguin in Falkland Islands

Rockhopper penguin © Ole J Liodden

600mm, 1/4000 sec, f/8,0, ISO 1250


Centering the subject

Positioning the subject centrally can be beneficial for tracking fast movement. Adjustments and cropping (rule of thirds etc.) can be made in post-processing to enhance composition.


Fishing Grizzly bear in Katmai, Alaska

Grizzly bear © Ole J Liodden

600mm, 1/2500 sec, f/5,6, ISO 640, ISO 1250


Background Consideration

A simple, clear background helps emphasise the frozen action, reducing distractions and assisting the AF system in locking onto the subject.


Hummingbird in Ecuador

Hummingbird in Ecuador © Ole J Liodden

300mm, 1/4000 sec, f/8,0, ISO 2000


Depth of Field

A shallow depth of field (f/5.6 or lower) can further isolate the subject by blurring the background. Additionally, this enables faster shutter speeds, essential for freezing motion.


Northern Hawk owl

Northern Hawk owl © Ole J Liodden

300mm, 1/2000 sec, f/5,6, ISO 4000


Using Flash

A flash can enhance sharpness by freezing movement, particularly useful in low-light situations. When using slower shutter speeds (below 1/250 second), set the flash to rear-curtain sync to capture motion more naturally. Be mindful, however, that some animals - especially nocturnal birds and mammals - are sensitive to bright light and may react negatively to a flash.


Hummingbird in Ecuador

Hummingbird in Ecuador © Ole J Liodden

300mm, 1/80 sec, f/13, ISO 200


Visual Impact of Freezing Motion

The visual expression achieved by freezing motion conveys energy, detail, and often a sense of immediacy. Every small detail - such as water droplets, feathers, or the angle of a moving body part - enhances storytelling depth and dramatic effect, allowing viewers to see things the human eye would typically miss due to the speed of movement.

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