how to capture race cars?

[troyer16]

I recently attended an indy race and am brand new to photography but have a very powerful weapon, Rebel XT. i was wondering how you capture these cars still with the blured background when they are blasting around at 200mph +

[MazerRakhm]

You capture them with a very strong net! :lol:


If you look trhough the Motorsports section (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=90) a lot of the shots you described with the blurred background and wheels are done with a panning technique.

Essentially you choose a shutter speed that is slower than stop action (I can't give you exact shutter speeds because they will all depend upon lighting conditions, iso, and film speed.) and then follow the car as it goes across the track. It takes a bit of practice but the results can be very good. Looking though the Motorsports section will give you a pretty good idea of shutter speeds others have used.

If you've not been there, there are some excellent pics in there!

[Dan Belcher]

Follow the cars and keep them in focus as much as you can, but use a fairly slow shutter speed to get the background to blur to keep the sense of motion. That will keep the cars nice and sharp, but the background will blur as you pan.

[gmen]

Also, another recent thread...

http://www.photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=177426

---- Gavin

[MazerRakhm]

I knew there was a good explenation somewhere, I just couldn't seem to find it.

Thanks Gavin!

[andrewc]

aperture priority mode around 1/250th sec, with AI Servo focus mode enabled, a steady hand and picking up the target car early on.

[gmen]

I knew there was a good explenation somewhere, I just couldn't seem to find it.

Thanks Gavin!As you said, there are plenty more in the Motorsports forum as well Kevin... Looks like the OP has opened up a thread there as well ;)

http://www.photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=178911

:lol: Another thread on panning :) Jubbly!

Whatever you do, Don't Forget the Follow Through!

---- Gavin

[Jamie Holladay]

Here is an excellent POST by JT (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showpost.php?p=1554669&postcount=24). He is a pro!

One thing that you might want to try as well (something Todd suggested to me) is practice by going out to a busy road (say an interstate) and shoot some passing traffic.

I hope that helps some.

Jamie

[KennyG]

Do not overlook that the AF of your lens has to be able to keep up with the action as well. A slow AF motor such as those some of the Sigma and non-USM Canon lenses have are not suitable for this type of action.

Panning and other techniques have been done to death on the Motorsports forum and I don't want to repeat what I have posted numerous times over the years. Do a search and all will be revealed. The only tip I will give you, is only take notice of the 'experts' who post their work.

[davidfig]

Get a faster car.

Sorry just had to. ;)