Just got my G6 and got a few questions??

I just got my first camera the Canon G6.
I am practising different modes such as macro mode for close ups of my little chameleon(very clear looking!) Portriat mode seems to take nice ones too. It however doesnt have an action mode and I am having trouble figuring out which modes and setting I should use for action shots!?!?!
I trying to get good photos of extreme mountain biking. It will be in all sorts of lighting and lots of different speeds(mostly fast through the air).
I also would like to be getting a clear rider and blurry background affect.

I chose this camera so that I could customize my own settings for these sorts of shots and different effects as well.

If someone could help me out with a little advise for shutter and aperature settings and in which modes for the best action shots, that would be great!!

Another thing I was wondering about was the time it takes for the picture to be taken after I fully press the shutter button. Is it possible for it to click right as you fully press??
I am having touble with timing of these fast shots. (Trying to get them in the right moment in the air at the perfect time during a trick.)

I know a lot of this will come with time and practise, but Is anyone has some good tips and tricks it would be much appreciated if you coud help me out

thanx

Samantha

I love my G6 but francky speaking, do not think that this camera is good for a really good action shots as any compact digitals. Only solution - dSLR

But something could be done, probably you will have better advices but I would just go for shutter priority and pick a smaller shutter speed possible. And I would think that external flash would be good also for that kind of shots.

No action setting on this camera. You would want to use Tv setting probably and set the shutter to what you want. Maybe bump the ISO up to 100 or 200 at most to keep down noise in your pics. I don't know the settings of the top of my head but they have what is called the hyperfocul setting where you preset the f-stop and focus so it doesn't have to autofocus. A search on here should find the info you need on it. That will cut down the time it takes for the shutter to go off. The G6 isn't the best camera for action but it can be done. One thing to practice is your panning to follow action to help get better shots. As for blurring out the background, panning the shot, (following the rider as they go by) works best. These cameras, like all point and shoot, have small sensors which give you a great depth of field making the background in focus. It's a lot easier with a DSLR to get good bokeh!! Have fun with your new camera. It can really take some great pictures. I post mine on www.flickr.com under the name jwulf if you are interested in seeing some shots. Have a few from the recent Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo on there for action.

Yes! hyperfocus setting would be a great help in that situation!

Right all, i have had the same problem here too but for some reason have got to know how to use it for action pics, i study martial arts ans was very disapointed with the cam at the time, but a big BUT, i set my cam to manual and set the cam at 250th sec for the shutter and with the flash on it triggers the flash and shutter instantly so i can capture the movements spot on, but i suppose it depends on what sprts your doing. But here a couple of pics of myself andmy instructor doing some very fast high kicks that have been captured the way i use my G6 for this sport.....the first pic is me....:o

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Oh my! What a kick!

Thanks, not bad for a 40 year if i must say so myself, the 2 kicks you see are what we calll 'axe kicks' and is aimed to for the face or in self defence the colar bone.....??