Grandaughters on the swing at the park

I know these photo's aren't very good, more like snapshots. I was really trying to get better shots, I bracketed my shots by changing, shutter speed, Iso, and aperature. These were the best shots. That's why I am asking for CC and advice. It was starting to get dusky,so I was fighting poor light, movement/uneven movement on the swing. How would you go about getting decent shots on the swings? I was using my 40D w/Canon 17-55 EF-S, f/2.8. I didn't want to use my flash. Thanks. -rick

1. Stella on the swing. f/4, 1/80, iso-400, 55mm

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I had the same problem with swings! See https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=750139

I have recently upgraded to 5d mkiii and the higher usable ISO and better auto-focus makes this shot a lot better, though it is still hard to get right!

Here is a recent (not that great) snap (I have not applied sharpening to the reduced image):

Mainly you need faster shutter speed - so you need to increase iso if possible and reduce f stop. Then for the action shots you either pre-focus (e.g. at the highest point of the swing) or try servo auto-focus (I don't know your cameras focus modes). In either case take lots of shots and keep practicing, you will get there!

Agree. Raise the ISO to 800 or so and increase from f/4 to f/2.8 on a few of those. 1 and 3 are pretty underexposed and are already at 1/80th of a second. #2 isn't bad. The highlights on the hair bow are a bit blown out though. #4 wouldn't be bad if her face/forehead wasn't so blocked out.

@ Martin, Nice upgrade. The 5D3 will be my next camera. I didn't try auto servo focus. I will try that next time I'm shooting low light.

@ Jeremy, I moved the ISO setting up and down. Shot #2 was ISO800. I recently read that underexposure is better than over exposure because you can lighten an image, but if it is washed out you can't get back detail that was washed out. Any thoughts on that?

A lot of people post great work here, but I wanted to post my average at best images, so I can get advice that will help me improve. Thanks!! -rick

It's usually easier to lighten an image than it is to fix blown out highlights, but i've found that brightening an underexposed image leads to more noise/grain. It's pretty much a trade off. Personally, it depends on the amount of the image that is going to be under or overexposed. I base if i under or overexpose on that, usually.

Fill flash would have saved the first and third images.

Learn to use your histogram and expose to the right for the highest signal-to-noise ratio.

I think #4 is a great image. You might consider cropping a little more off the right side getting her eye in the rule of thirds cross hair. The expression on her face and the viewer not being able to see what she sees lets the viewer's mind wonder. Is she committed to going forward? Is she afraid and stopped? What is ahead of her?