"Burst Mode" - Digital Photography Podcast 110

Burst Mode Master.jpg

I've discovered that I'm using burst mode much more than I used to, and I wanted to figure out why. As is turns out, there are a number of factors, including changes both on the camera side and in post production.

In this podcast, I extol the virtues of shooting in burst mode, then give tips for getting the most out of it.

Monthly Photo Assignment

Water is this month's photo assignment. It's time to work with all states of water, from vapor to ice. You can read more about how to submit on our Submissions page. Deadline for entry is Dec 31.

Listen to the Podcast

Now that I've piqued your curiosity, it's time to listen to today's audio show titled, "Burst Mode." You can download the podcast here (32 minutes). You can also subscribe to the podcast in iTunes

The Digital Story Podcasts are available for direct download from Apple iPhones. I've created a special mobile download page here. Just load the page in Safari, browse the podcast line-up, and click on the one you want to listen to.

Want to share photos and talk with other members in our virtual camera club? Check out our new Flickr Public Group. It's a blast!

Check out what you can do with an $150 underwater housing and a compact point and shoot by taking a look at my underwater gallery from the Caribbean.

Have you looked at the Park by the Numbers Camera Phone Project? If you have a camera phone, you've got to check this out.

Event Calendar

Events! See the TDS Event Calendar for photography workshops, speaking engagements, and trade show appearances.


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4 Comments

Derrick,
I thought the podcast on Burst Mode was very practical. What is the priority for you now when you shoot a wedding? If the subjects are in the sun, it is nice to have fill flash. Even in the shade, the flash is nice. Are there any flash units that will keep up with burst mode? If not, is burst mode the priority for you at a wedding in order to catch the special moments that might be missed in single image mode? (Even if this is at the expense of having the advantage of fill flash?)

Thanks for helping us stay engaged.
I appreciate your motives of wanting to help all of us be better photographers.

Warm regards,
Kevin Miller
Las Vegas

I have found myself using burst mode more than I did with film also. I especially like it when taking "candid portraits" of my kids - using burst mode will almost always get me one shot with them "posed" the way I want and without any closed eyes, head turns, etc.

Thanks again for all of your efforts.

Tony

To answer Kevin's question about flash and burst mode, I find myself turning the flash off more and more for daylight portraits (candids in particular) so I can rip off a series of shots in burst mode. I'll then go back to fill flash as my default. But I love the spontaneous nature of burst mode candids, and with the ability to use higher ISOs, I'm needing the flash less than before.

As for Tony's comment... Amen brother!

Derrick,

Using burst mode for portraits is great advice. I tried this for a few impromptu ones at a party recently, and I could always find an image where everyone's eyes were open, their expressions looked good, etc.

But I am having one problem with the auto stack feature in Aperture: if you reject an image in a stack, it doesn't immediately disappear from the project like when you reject an image not in a stack. It also doesn't show up in the built-in rejects folder for easy deletion. You need to create a custom smart album that picks up rejects and ignores stack picks. I must have missed something in the documentation, because this clumsy approach can't be correct.

Cheers

Andreas