Panning / Track photography

[Jorge]

So my friend wants me to go down to the Britcar series tomorrow at Rockingham and hopefully get a few pictures of their Ultima GTR on track.

I've never actually shot anything on track properly before, or moving, so I am looking for a few hints from the pros on here?

When it comes to lenses I am limited to, 17-85 kit lens, 17-55 kit lens, 50mm f/1.8, and a 75-300. I am guessing I am going to want to use the latter?

Camera is a Canon 40d.

Thanks

[Kerelm]

I too am interested in this info!

[Jordan]

If you're specifically looking at panning only then for a beginner I would shoot in the Shutter Priority (Tv) mode. Set the Auto Focus to SERVO mode (on Canons) and AF point to centre (or which ever focus point you want to use). Servo will track focus as the car moves then rather than you having to release the button between shots. Oh and set to continious shooting too rather than single shot.

Start at 1/125 and see how you get on, the camera will set the Aperture for you in Tv mode. If you've having trouble getting crisp shots at 1/125 then go faster, if you're nailing every shot, go slower

For drifting I tend to shoot at 1/40 to 1/60th on a nice even radius corner, for faster motorsports you can get a simialr effect at higher shutter speeds.

Feet shoulder width apart and pan with your hips

[Jorge]

Sweet, yeah I know the basic functions of the camera, and usually just whore Av mode.

But thanks for those tips on focusing, I'm gona get there nice and early and practice on some of the earlier MX5 racing.

You recommend using a tripod at all? Read a few links online that say you can. Mines got a fancy swivel head etc.

Should I totally not worry about the aperture when shooting first off? I know the 75-300 only has a range of 4-5.6 I think from the top of my head so not like it is a huge deal.

[Minuki]

You shouldn't need a tri-pod, I'm using a 70-300mm too and don't use one. I usually leave it in Shutter Priority and set the iso to 100 if it's nice sunny day.

I found this website quite useful http://www.carphototutorials.com/rac...the_track.html

[Jorge]

Yeah used that site a few times in the past, I just need to get some help on my post processing I think...

Thanks again

[Kielan]

If you must use something, monopod.

[Jorge]

Ah balls to buying one lol

http://www.thecameracentre.net/shop/...5011-head.html that is my tripod, though got a real good deal on it for £60 new from Jessops. Not that it really helps the tread content.

[Withers]

You shouldnt' need a tripod for panning shots. For a track event I'd go with your 75-300, but don't go past 250 with it.

[Kielan]

You shouldnt' need a tripod for panning shots. For a track event I'd go with your 75-300, but don't go past 250 with it.

This.

[Jorge]

Recently got back, little harder than I thought it would be, but was getting there by the end of the day.

Shame I had dirt spots on my lens :/



Just straight from the camera, took over 1000 in the end, already deleted 340 of them though.


Wrong picture lol,

[Krolik]

first shot is sweet

would love to see that ferrari in focus on that same shot too though

[Jorge]

I got one with the Ferrari in focus too...



But not together.

I have so many to go through, I will do it tomorrow, 6am starts after 1am nights at the pub don't go well together.

[vdubkid]

this couldn't have popped up at a better time. i found out a local crew is doing some drift practice tomorrow. going to the track and going to shoot around.

[Jorge]

Tried taking my time more on the editing for this one before I sort them,