Pictures of moving children at parties

[Joe Ciras]

Help needed: I took many photos today in manual mode at a two year old's birthday party and most of my pictures were blurry. Are there any tips on camera settings for parties with young children, or other people, that will not stay still? I know of faster shutter speeds, but is it better to shoot in automatic sports mode? I would prefer to shoot manual only.

[Tina]

from my personal experience I HATE the sports mode. What I do love,is the shutter priority mode (my camera it's TV) . I know I am shooting my kids I had best be at 100 or above,I mostly keep it at 125, and adjust my ISO if needed.

[Adam Kelly]

@cirasj Shutter speed of 1/125 minimum, use the flash, if you only have built in, well, I've resorted to this before, when it bounces of the ceiling it lights them much more pleasantly, I use the same plan for shots of crowds dancing;
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1850054334981&set=a.1073776848529.13170.1349425790&theater

Sorry facebook's new theatre thing means I can't get the image URL to embed...

[Tina]

all I have is a built in flash :(
I have a similar set up as Adams, a white piece of cardboard taped to a clothes pin-not beautiful, but works!

[Joe Ciras]

@killerjackalope Thank you Adam, I may give it a try.

[AfroMoxy]

also track your subject while you shoot... hold down the shutter burst and track.

[Adam Kelly]

@cirasj A cigarette packet can be very good, cut the bottom off and turn the foil to the inside, the cap works as a way of aiming...

[Kirsty McLaughlan]

@killerjackalope oh, I need to try that. I was at a party last weekend but took my poit and shoot as I'm no good at decent photos at parties but the flash washes everyone out. Need to practice this and if I can suss it out ok I may take my DSLR to a party sometime, lol.

[Tina]

@kirsty1975 with your point and shoot you can tape a small piece of tissue, or a small piece of coffee filter over the flash to keep from getting that washed out look.

[Kirsty McLaughlan]

@tnamari oh thanks for that, didn't think about that at all. Will give that a go next time