Why doesn’t image stabilization freeze a moving subject, and what settings should I use instead?
Asked 9/7/2010
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I’m getting motion blur when photographing moving subjects. I had image stabilization set to auto, but the subject still looks blurred. I understand stabilization helps with shake, but does it also help with subject movement? If not, what camera settings should I change to make a moving subject look sharper? For example, should I use a faster shutter speed, higher ISO, or a wider aperture?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
15y ago
2 Answers
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Image stabilization aims to fix the problem of a moving camera (camera shake).
Your question and example photo aim to fix the problem of a moving subject.
To reduce blur of a moving subject, you need a shorter shutter speed, or you need to freeze the motion with flash.
If you also have camera shake, then image stabilization will help some. But first make sure you take steps to reduce camera shake. For example see the question "How I could take crisp sharp shots without expensive lens?".
Originally by user69. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user69
15y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
Image stabilization mainly reduces blur caused by camera shake, not blur caused by a moving subject.
If the subject is moving, the main fix is a faster shutter speed to freeze the action. To get that faster shutter speed, you can:
- raise the ISO
- use a wider aperture (lower f-number)
- use flash, if appropriate, to help freeze motion
Stabilization can still help if your hands are also moving, but it won’t make a moving subject sharp by itself. At the shutter speeds normally needed to freeze action, stabilization often matters much less, except sometimes with very long telephoto lenses.
So the blur in your example is likely subject motion blur, not something stabilization can fully correct. Start by increasing shutter speed first, then adjust ISO and aperture as needed to maintain exposure.
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