How to take good rolling shots without using a rig?

[moacur]

I'm just getting into the Canon game after shooting with a Panasonic FZ50 for the last few years. It was brought to my attention that shooting rollings shots doesn't necesarily have to be done at high speeds hanging out of the window in a dangerous fashion. Which is all I really know :(

With the new canon I have much more control over Shutter speed, Apeture, Iso, etc. So any of the rolling shot gurus want to lend some advice to someone really trying to get a hang onto their new 40d. Just looking for some tips and tricks..

Here are a few shots form my old Panasonic. I know I can get way better shots and capture the motion much better with the new camera..

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3037/2556200095_a09f3c5ac1.jpg


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3177/2522443303_c6751db268.jpg


http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2288/2523061362_35a608286e.jpg


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3039/2523053048_f7050912d8.jpg


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3154/2522226661_9eb903bf90.jpg


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3058/2522224983_1f5b1e9db9.jpg

[JustinL]

PMd you... hope it makes sense.

[CorzyPhoto]

I can't see the pics you posted, I'll check them out later.. But rolling shots are called "tracking shots" in the photography world, as you (the photographer) would be in one car going the exact same speed as the subject car, taking pics.

All you really have to do is mess with the ISO, shutter, and aperture.. Once you have the right combination for the amount of lighting you have, the pics will come out killer :)

Check out my flickr, I have a tracking shot of an EVOX.

[moacur]

Thanks guys :D

[PTHONG]

those are pretty good lol. Better than some that i have tried. I had to hang out of the window with my neck strap wrapped around my arm :lol: I dont know if there is any other way without some kind of rig.

[moacur]

Thanks! I know the neck strap- wrap around the wrist very well :lol:

[CorzyPhoto]

Yea, this is my first time seeing the pics... I think they look good. If you want the detail in the sky to show up more (ie. blue skys, white clouds), get a GRADUATED ND FILTER. Do some research on GND filters, there are a lot of different kinds. Just search google and you'll see what I mean.

[moacur]

Thanks! The skys were not that great that day. It was very overcast and just hazy :cry: Wish it would have been one of these days with the nice big fluffy clouds..


http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2095/2499301331_918ab206d7.jpg

[bpusrt4]

dude your pics with the panasonic were damn good so you are on the right track.

[PhotosGuy]

They look good to me.

[EneQ]

They are ace mahn!

[photosbyjuan]

cars look superb! And the shots are real nice to.

[Mark1]

You seem to have the technique down. My only suggestion is vary the distance some. Get some closer, and some farther away.

If they are not random cars, and I doubt they are, Coordinate with the drivers that you want to get some close ups. If they are half decent drivers they will be able to drive together. Also find a 3 lane road and shoot some from the far lane. I like the far lanes for creating desktop images. Owners LOVE this. Show them the pictures and give them one they can use as a desktop... they go nuts.

The only other thing is watch the backgrounds. Take 3 of every shot to make sure yu dont have something in a bad spot.

Such as this.... This is my fav of the ones you posted. I like the color and angle.... but why does he have a stack of plywood on top of the car? ( you get my point)
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3154/2522226661_9eb903bf90.jpg

[emay]

lol, stack of plywood, didn't think it till you said it, and now I'm having trouble looking at the picture without laughing about it..

[CorzyPhoto]

Yeah, just try to plan out your shots a little better :lol:

[Mark1]

lol, stack of plywood, didn't think it till you said it, and now I'm having trouble looking at the picture without laughing about it..


As soon ad I saw that picture... I thought of this one.....
http://www.swapmeetdave.com/Humor/Workshop/Lumber-Car-A.jpg

[emay]

good god!!!!

[Keegan]

Great shots. I don't see much besides the background composition that could be drastically improved.
Keep sharing new ones with us :D

[moacur]

Thanks for the feedback guys :cool:

I've got plenty of close-up and far away shots also. These were just some of my favorites.. Even though the backgrounds aren't the best.. I do really like them for some reason :)

[moacur]

Here's a few more from that same day..

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3193/2523098252_a4f9f7360a_b.jpg


http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2234/2537091633_daf328a13d_b.jpg


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3053/2537917568_b5668e1372_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2336/2537904660_1d747848f8_b.jpg


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3193/2522220025_72e43be1be_b.jpg


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3262/2523289340_a78fbf94c8.jpg

[kit lens]

Those shots look good to me. I assume you don't know much about the settings, since it appears you have switched to DSLR (from a point and hope). Like someone else said......get a graduated ND filter. I'd also recommend a CP filter to eliminate the bulk of the reflections on the side of the car you are shooting.

As for speed......you can adjust the settings enough to where you will only need to be physically rolling to get a good action shot. It just depends on your setup (including yourself). I am getting ready to tackle some rolling shots myself, so I have not pursued these shots myself in a while. I am going to go with similar settings as used for panning. The shutter around 1/100, aperture around f4-6 for some DOF.....and adjust from there.

[moacur]

Can you explain what a graduated ND filter is? I've always used a CP filter. Somtimes thinking of using 2 of them to remove the glare off of the front and the sides at the same time. Never tried it though..

Majority of the shots posted in this thread were shot between F6-F10 and around 1/30-1/60.. Majority around 1/30.

[bastozzz]

Great rolling shots! Love 'em all.

[1G2BNVD]

You cant get much better than those rolling shots. Just watch your background when shooting, make sure there are no poles, other cars, buildings and such as they take away from the car.
-GP-

[Mark1]

LOVE that last one!!!!! Even with the corners dark. I want it as a desktop, and its not even my car! No... seriously I want it as a desktop. Can you post a link to a big one?

[CorzyPhoto]

You cant get much better than those rolling shots. Just watch your background when shooting, make sure there are no poles, other cars, buildings and such as they take away from the car.
-GP-


I think buildings would be acceptable depending on the look of them and how they are composed with the picture. Say if it's a sky scraper in the distance, it would look okay IMO.

[Mark1]

Not if it looks like it is coming out of the sun roof. To put it short look out for convergence.

[moacur]

Here ya go MarkI. This one did not come out all that clear...

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3262/2523289340_a78fbf94c8_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3262/2523289340_64a039eb33_o.jpg

another one of my car that I liked :lol:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3107/2613697469_db5bc5b218.jpg

[CorzyPhoto]

Not if it looks like it is coming out of the sun roof. To put it short look out for convergence.

Hence why I said if the buildings are composed well with the picture ;)

[black_z]

Look great for the Panasonic!!

[JustinL]

I think now looking at these, I wasted my time PM'ing you. LOL! Awesome work dude

[moacur]

:lol: LOL! Thanks Justin :cool:

[moacur]

Wife and I went and ran some errands today. Brought the camera and had her drive so I could shoot some random peoples cars. Sun was blazing.. Even at F22, ISO 100 I could not get the shutter speed slow enough to get blur without blowing the whole photo out. I know this is not the optimal time of day to shoot but would a few ND filters help with this?

[Mark1]

Thanks for the big ones! I have done some work on it and have it up on my desk top already! It is not clear like you say, but I played with it a bit. Looks like a painting now and is fine!

[PhotosGuy]

I know this is not the optimal time of day to shoot but would a few ND filters help with this? That would work.

[CorzyPhoto]

Wife and I went and ran some errands today. Brought the camera and had her drive so I could shoot some random peoples cars. Sun was blazing.. Even at F22, ISO 100 I could not get the shutter speed slow enough to get blur without blowing the whole photo out. I know this is not the optimal time of day to shoot but would a few ND filters help with this?

Maybe you are trying too much blur?
If you use a nd filter, I would suggest a Graduated ND. Have the gray portion of the filter stop it down by 2

[moacur]

Any recomendations on Good ND filters? I did some searching on them and it seems that this is something where you can spend a lot of money on or a little.

[PhotosGuy]

Any recomendations on Good ND filters? Good enough:
http://www.geocities.com/COKINFILTERSYSTEM/gray_nd.htm

[CorzyPhoto]

I almost bought the Tiffen GND filter for $45. Not too bad. I'll be getting it later when I finish my rig. It also has pretty good reviews.

[moacur]

Thanks.. I will look into that :cool:

[moacur]

One more question.. What is the difference between a graduated and non graduated filter?

[Mark1]

Regular is evenly dark all over. A graduated is dark at one end, and gets lighter toward the other. Usualy used dark on top.

http://www.pictureline.com/newsletter/2005/may/filters/Fig4.jpg

mounted

http://www.pictureline.com/newsletter/2005/may/filters/Fig3.jpg

[CorzyPhoto]

Ah ha... so that's how the non-circular filters work...

[moacur]

Which looks like a great option so you have some "adjustment" for how much filtering is actually needed compared to a set screw on type..