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Editor’s Note

Hello photographers!

We just wanted to reiterate what a magnificent time we have had looking over your events-themed photographs from last month’s competition. Thank you to everyone who shared their breathtaking entries. We were truly blown away by your talent. As promised, the deserving winners are celebrated in this week's Community Spotlight – make sure you check them out!

This month, we're wagging our tails for 'Pets'. Today, we're diving into how to capture those hilarious, high-energy 'zoomies'. Get ready to practise your action photography skills! Don't forget to submit your own adorable pet photos to our monthly competition for a chance to win. Happy snapping from the team at Digital Camera Warehouse.

Monthly photo competition

Week 2: Capturing the Zoomies

Pets don't stay still for long! This week, we're all about freezing those hilarious high-speed zoomies. Grab your camera, practise your action shots, and don't forget to enter your best pet photo for your chance to win this month's competition.

⚠️ Weekly prompts are just a guide — interpret them your way, as long as your shot captures the spirit of the month's theme.⁠

How to enter:

To participate, simply complete the submission form on our portal on our website. Make sure your entries align with this month's theme. For additional guidance, check the photographic tips below.

Prizes:

1st Prize: Joby Gorillapod 3K Video PRO Valued at $119.95 RRP

2nd Prize: Joby Gorillapod 1K Creator Kit Valued at $59.95 RRP

Deadline:

All entries must be submitted by 2nd August, 2026.

Make sure to read the FAQ on the competition page at the link below to understand all the details and rules of the competition.

We look forward to receiving your photos and celebrating your creativity

An interesting fact about the
Joby Gorillapod 3K Video PRO

From city streets to mountain trails, the JOBY GorillaPod 3K Video PRO is built to help you capture content wherever inspiration strikes. Its flexible legs grip, wrap, and stand on almost any surface, while the included fluid head provides smooth, controlled movements for professional-looking video. Lightweight and easy to pack, it's an excellent choice for creators looking to travel light without sacrificing stability or versatility.

Rare Snow Leopards Caught on Camera Across China

If you’ve ever needed a reminder of why we brave the elements for the perfect shot, look no further than the roof of the world.

A massive camera trap survey led by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) has just released stunning new images of the incredibly elusive snow leopard across remote, alpine regions of China. Utilising 160 specialised infrared cameras built to withstand punishing temperatures as low as -40°C, the project secured over 600 photographs and clocked 157 distinct sightings of these majestic big cats.

For wildlife photography enthusiasts, this initiative is a masterclass in patience, technology, and dedication:

• The Ultimate Challenge: Snow leopards primarily roam altitudes between 3,000 and 4,500 meters. Over 60% of their habitat is in China, yet a staggering 70% of their total global range remains completely unexplored.

• Beyond the Leopards: The passive camera network didn't just capture the "ghosts" of the mountains; it also documented a vibrant alpine ecosystem, including lynxes, ibexes, red deer, and Sichuan takins.

• Human Grit: Behind the automated lenses were dedicated rangers who logged 500 person-days of grueling patrol efforts across 2025 to support the project.

  
  

The best wildlife stories often require getting far outside our comfort zones, whether that means deploying remote tech, enduring freezing conditions, or simply respecting the habitat of a creature that famously avoids human contact.

The 'zoomies' are a hilarious and often chaotic spectacle, a sudden burst of energy that sends our beloved pets hurtling around the house or yard. Capturing these moments can be tricky, but with a few adjustments to your camera settings, you can freeze that joyful blur into a stunning photograph. Here are some practical tips to help you master action shots of your furry friends.

Use a Fast Shutter Speed:

To freeze your pet mid-air or mid-stride, you will need a fast shutter speed, generally 1/500th of a second or quicker, especially for smaller, faster animals.

Switch to Continuous Autofocus:

Switch your camera's autofocus mode to continuous tracking (often called AI Servo on Canon or AF-C on Nikon and Sony) so your camera constantly re-focusses on your moving pet.

Use Burst Shooting Mode:
Engage your camera's high-speed continuous shooting mode to capture a rapid sequence of images, significantly increasing your chances of getting that perfectly timed shot.

Ample Light and Open Space:
Shoot in bright, natural light, ideally outdoors, to allow for faster shutter speeds and an open environment where your pet can move freely without distractions.

Capturing your pet's adorable 'zoomies' moments requires the right gear to freeze that incredible action! For sharp, vibrant shots of your furry friends in full flight, consider a fast-focussing mirrorless camera body with a high frame rate, paired with a wide-aperture lens for excellent low-light performance and subject isolation. With all action shots, we suggest investing in a monopod to keep your photos sharp and blur-free, but still maintain the much-needed mobility.

Don't forget high-speed memory cards to keep up with bursts, plus a monopod for steady tracking. A reliable cleaning kit is essential after outdoor adventures, and always pack spare batteries – those energetic moments drain power quickly!

NEED HELP? TALK TO AN EXPERT 1300 365 220

"Photography is the simultaneous recognition, in a fraction of a second, of the significance of an event as well as of a precise organisation of forms which give that event its proper expression."

- Henri Cartier-Bresson

Your photo question of the week:

You are attempting to capture sharp, well-exposed images of your dog mid-zoomie in your backyard. Which combination of camera settings and autofocus mode would generally be most effective for freezing the action and maintaining focus on your rapidly moving pet?

A) A slow shutter speed (e.g., 1/60s), a narrow aperture (e.g., f/11), low ISO, and Single-Shot Autofocus (AF-S/One-Shot AF).

B) A fast shutter speed (e.g., 1/1000s or faster), a narrow aperture (e.g., f/11), high ISO, and Continuous Autofocus (AF-C/AI Servo AF).

C) A fast shutter speed (e.g., 1/1000s or faster), a wide aperture (e.g., f/2.8 or f/4), an appropriate ISO for the lighting conditions, and Continuous Autofocus (AF-C/AI Servo AF).

D) A slow shutter speed (e.g., 1/60s), a wide aperture (e.g., f/2.8 or f/4), low ISO, and Manual Focus.

Last weeks question:

When photographing a fast-moving pet using a 200mm lens on a full-frame sensor, which combination is most critical to balancing "freezing" the action while maintaining a high-quality, sharp exposure?

Thanks for playing along last week! The correct answer was indeed B) A shutter speed of 1/1000s or higher, while prioritising a wider aperture (f/2.8–f/4) to allow for lower ISO values. This setting combination is ideal for freezing fast action and ensuring you capture bright, sharp images without excessive noise.

Let's face it. Not all of us are professionals, and even still, pros still need to learn a thing or two about photography or cinematography. That's why we've put together this section. We want to highlight some of the common and not-so-common questions people face when attempting a particular genre.

My dog gets the zoomies every afternoon, and I can never get a clear photo of him. He's just a blur! What are your tips for capturing fast-moving pets?

Capturing those speedy zoomies requires a fast shutter speed to freeze the action. Try setting your camera to Shutter Priority (Tv or S mode) and start with 1/1000th of a second or faster. Use Continuous Autofocus (AF-C or AI Servo) to keep your pet sharp as they move, and enable Continuous Shooting mode (burst mode) to fire off multiple frames. Position yourself where the light is good, and get down to their eye level for more engaging shots. Practice makes perfect!

Event Photography Competition Winners!

What an incredible month it was for our "Events" photo competition. We were absolutely overwhelmed by the sheer volume of technical and candid entries.

We would like to extend a huge congratulations to the following winners.

1st Place: Tim Mulholland, “Red & Black”

Nikon D5300, 105mm Macro + Raynox 250, Single External Flash, 1/200s, f/4.8, ISO 100

Tim’s image, capturing Chicago at Ballina Players, mesmerised us and was a true example of an exact moment in time being captured on film, or in this case, on file. Tim explains that his position at the centre back of the theatre allowed him to expose for the person singing at the front - this helped him to capture the silhouettes of the background dancers. Well done Tim!

2nd Place: Glenda Black

Canon EOS R6 Mark II, Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM, 1/1600 sec, f/4.5, ISO 12800, 100mm.

Huge congratulations to Glenda for securing the runner-up spot. As Glenda explains, “Shooting rodeo action requires adaptability and a good knowledge of your gear to capture high-speed action in difficult lighting conditions”. By seamlessly blending three sequential images, Glenda has brilliantly captured the raw energy and chaotic movement of bull riding.

Runners Up:

We would also like to extend our congratulations to the following entrants who just missed a top 2 placing - it was no easy task to pick a winner this month!

Stephen Sharkey for his image “The Squeeze”, and Peter Maystrenko for “All My Life”.

Stephen Sharkey, "The Squeeze"

Sony A7 III + ZEISS 55mm f/1.8 | Venue lighting only, ISO 6400

Peter Maystrenko, "All My Life"

Nikon F90X Camera & Nikon 80-200mm f/2.8 Lens | Film: Fuji 1600 ISO | Focal Length: 200mm | Aperture: f/2.8 | Shutter: 1/100 sec.

Reader’s gallery

Navigate to our reader’s gallery to see a selection of entries to help inspire your vision. You can also see the past winners there. Thank you to everyone who sent in their images. We love seeing them!

Sometimes, all we need is some visual motivation, like these images, to spark our creative thoughts. What will you create with your camera this week? Enter your images via our online portal, and we look forward to showcasing them.