Le Mans 1000km @ Silverstone

[jon_ridley]

Well, here goes another Le mans thread... :D

This is the first time I've shot motorsport, or anything fast for that matter. My hit rate was atrocious, mainly because I was using unnecessarily low shutter speeds of 1/160 - 1/200 for panning - I have learnt now:). Most of these were shot between 1/320 and 1/800 (for panning). I am pretty pleased with them, they were all shot with a tamron 70-300, so the quality isn't too great when they are viewed large. The rest are on my flickr: www.flickr.com/photos/jon_ridley (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jon_ridley) .

C&C would be much appreciated.

Jon

#1
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3205/2860264150_a6b9aafc8c_o.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jon_ridley/2860264150/)

#2
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3208/2860263696_11a884f1df_o.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jon_ridley/2860263696/)

#3
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3251/2860263284_c45a64c320_o.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jon_ridley/2860263284/in/photostream/)

#4
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3171/2859434521_ed22df8762_o.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jon_ridley/2859434521/in/photostream/)

#5
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3107/2859437477_cf6b9ee81b_o.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jon_ridley/2859437477/)

#6
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3202/2860261054_ecd7066b1b_o.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jon_ridley/2860261054/)

[monkeynuts1]

really love the 3rd one ...................Steve:)

[Cadwell]

Many "fans of the pan" would suggest that rather than being unnecessarily low, 1/160th to 1/320th is rather too high a shutter speed range for pan shots ;) I am not desperately keen on pans however I'd advise against going to high shutter speeds and suggest you practice a little more. I don't think I've ever shot a race car faster than 1/320th from any angle; pans, head-on or otherwise.

[Arctica]

#2 +3 for me, especially the colours on two. Something different for a change

[jon_ridley]

@ steve and Arctica: thanks :) the third is also my favourite.

@ Cadwell: Im surprised! Considering what you've said, I think the reason most of my shots at 1/160 - 1/320ish were so bad was a) I need panning practise and b) I was side-on most of the time. A lot of the other shots I've seen in the motorsport section here have been head-on after a corner, and I can see how the slower speed helps there. My second one, for example, was shot at 1/500 and I like the amount of motion blur in it. Most of the slower ones I had vertical movement while panning. Long story short, yes, I need practise:D

[andrewc]

The slower the shutter speed the more blurred the background. The skill is keeping the subject sharp...

[Cadwell]

@ Cadwell: Im surprised! Considering what you've said, I think the reason most of my shots at 1/160 - 1/320ish were so bad was a) I need panning practise and b) I was side-on most of the time. A lot of the other shots I've seen in the motorsport section here have been head-on after a corner, and I can see how the slower speed helps there. My second one, for example, was shot at 1/500 and I like the amount of motion blur in it. Most of the slower ones I had vertical movement while panning. Long story short, yes, I need practise:D

Ah well, as I said; pans are not my thing. They hurt my back and anyway I just don't like them. There are devotees of the pan on here though, who don't share my distaste. John Thawley loves 'em and he's even written some sort of tutorial on them on his site. Might be worth your while reading it. ;)

Yes, there's some reasonable blur in #2 and it does depend on how fast the car is going and how fast you move your camera. #4 doesn't show much blur, though, and if I had to put money on it, I'd say the cars in #5 are parked :)

Conventional wisdom dictates a low-ish shutter speed for pans and a higher (although still low) shutter speed for head on / three quarters shots. I'd start panning (on the rare occasions I do) at around 1/100th or lower with head-ons at 1/320th or 1/250th.

[RichardC27]

Jon, they look fine to me given the equipment you're using. Don't get too hung up on shutter speeds since it's your first time shooting motorsport. I use anything from 1/320 down to 1/125 for panning, depending on how fast the car is going. The more you practice, the better you'll be. I've improved loads since I started.

[pumaknight]

I think they are very nice indeed. I am hoping to go through my efforts this weekend (was panning at 1/30th for a few and a good lot at 1/60-80th!!). HIt rate not too bad - first time using a 1d mk3 and boy did it make a difference :-)

[hurley1718]

#2 is awesome. Could be a poster in my mind.

[chrispons]

Jon ,
I think there some belting shots there mate .
There also some fantastic photographers on here too,250th head on for me is usually a right struggle to retain sharpness ,and even harder with big glass.
On panning,of which I am rubbish,your efforts are top notch !
Pons

[andreasthess]

I really like the fifth one.It looks so natural,like i watch it with my own eyes

[Kevbuts]

Great shots Jon. I love #2, in my opinion you have sufficient blur in the wheels to show how fast the Audi is moving, and your panning was sufficiently good to keep the body of the car sharp.

#3 is also a nice shot, mainly due to your effective unconventional composition with a lot of foreground and the cars high in the frame.

All in all I would be happy with them if I were you.

As for which shutter speed is right, whilst I open and welcome advice from others, I am a true believer in you have set your camera up to suit what you're comfortable with and what gives you the results you want to achieve. For all it's worth I generally try and take panned shots from around 1/60 to 1/200sec, but this really depends on how fast the subject is moving. On a slow corner I will slow the shutter speed down a slow as possible to achieve good results.

For head on shots (fronts or rears) I usually up my shutter speeds to around 1/400sec or possibly a bit higher if it is truely head on and wheel blur cannot be achieved. For three-quarter pans, I will try and keep shutters speeds to around 1/200 to 1/320sec.

As I say, you need to try out different setups and settle for the set up which gives you the best results with your equipment. To be honest though, aside from shot #5 (for which I have to agree with Cadwells comment), you seem to have found a good setup with your gear already :D