what settings to get wheel and backround blur for car racing...

[Ultimate CC]

BODY Digital Rebel XTi (black)
LENSES Canon EF 24mm f/2.8 Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II Canon EF 28-105mm f/3.5-4.5 II IS USM Canon EF 70-200mm f2.8L USM Canon EF 100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS USM Canon EFS 10-22 f/3.5-4.5 USM
this is my setup and for autox and road racing I typically use the 100-400 with a monopod...I have tried shooting in av tv and m with various different settings and no matter what i do i can't get a crisp shot of the car with blurred wheels, whats the trick to it (all shots are done on bright bright sunny days...)

[AcuraFan]

go search and look at todd corzett and john thawley's work - tells you everything you will need to know.

[tomwilli]

I'm not sure if this is what your after and I know that my shotscould be better but check out these.

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=353348

I have my settings posted in the frames of the photos. I hope this helps.
By the way, I used my 70 - 200mm L for these.

[Ultimate CC]

awesome thanks for the info...just what i was looking for...

[John Thawley]

Rather than send you over to Fred Miranda, I'll post my response here to a similar inquiry I recently answered:

Here are the referenced images:
http://gallery.johnthawley.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=96383&g2_serialNumber=1

http://gallery.johnthawley.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=96395&g2_serialNumber=1

http://gallery.johnthawley.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=96389&g2_serialNumber=1

http://gallery.johnthawley.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=96373&g2_serialNumber=1

BStringfellow wrote:
John,

Most impressive. I love the motion blur backgrounds in the panning shots. Can I ask what the shutter speed was in #1 for example? Also, did you use any panning stabilization (active VR)?

I was practicing trying to get some of my son on his bike yesterday and was getting 1 out of 10 at best and he was going maybe 15mph!.

Thanks for sharing.

Brian

Brian: The EXIF data is included in all of the shots. The first shot was at 1/25 sec. shutter -

Panning is not as scary or confusing as some want to make it. First, you should understand, it's not about the "settings." For instance, the last shot is at 1/200 sec. - Plenty of speed blur... right?

Panning is about YOU. Once YOU have your technique or "swing" mastered, the settings become simply a creative choice.

The Cadillac shot is at 1/15 - the Acura is 1/20 .... and, as mentioned, the last shot is at 1/200 sec. I assure you, my body movement was pretty much the same in all of them.

Panning your son will be tough because he's slow... however, there are ways to fix that.

Your goal is to develop a "swing" - In a broad sense, think of golf. You develop your swing.. then select the club that will assist your swing in getting the job done. Right?

Find a comfort zone. Too fast will produce a jerky erratic movement. To slow will produce a wobbly shaky movement. You want a nice smooth movement. A rhythm... and follow through. And... it's not necessarily across an entire 180 degree arc. But... it's smooth, steady and COMFORTABLE.

Once you've developed a constant smooth COMFORTABLE swing, you then shift your location and alter your lens selection to make the speed of the object your photographing fit YOUR swing. Get closer or move back... choose a longer lens... or shorter. But make the combination work so that you are in your COMFORT zone.

In theory.... if you are in your zone... smooth swing... right lens, right distance, I should be able to reach over your shoulder and adjust the shutter speed without affecting you. (within reason) -

So now, with the situation in our control, we can make creative choices that help tell the story we want to get across.

With your son, move closer and shoot with a shorter lens.

Think about it this way... if you sit on the porch and he's 70 ft away going full speed, he's just cruising by you. Stand a foot from him at the same speed and you'll dive for the bushes. Right?

Hope that helps.... work on your swing. Equipment and settings are only tools... technique is how WE control the situation.

One last note... regarding the 1 out of 10. Stop keeping track. The only number that matters is 1. We live a lifetime in pursuit of single moments. I'd trade 10,000 to get the 1. I'm shooting for four and five days straight... just hoping to get "the one." LOL - Clear your head of those distractions. That's what the delete key is for.

It's all about "the one." :)

JT

[Ultimate CC]

man i love this forum this is just what i was looking for, i can't wait to go out and try it...

[ryant35]

The photographs above from John are incredible, but to start someone at 1/25sec, is going to discourage them. John has a great skill with his panning at that slow of a shutter speed.

I would start at 1/125 - 1/160 if you are shooting moderately fast cars, e.i. street cars with amateur drivers. But if you are shooting pro drivers and really fast cars, e.i. F1 or Champ cars, I step up as fast as 1/250. While my shots have don't have as much background blur as John's photographs above, I am confident at my skill level I can keep the vehicle sharp at those shutter speeds.
Below: Tv, 1/125, f/10, iso 100 - CORR truck over 100 mph.
http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k173/ryant35/IMG_6447_resize.jpg

[HoRnYTuRbO]

put your focus on AI servo

[PhotosGuy]

Another link...
Advice needed for Rally shooting (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=292705)