A Different Approach to Panning

[MX-ActionShots]

Doing a little experimenting yesterday at the races. I tried panning with flash, and here is what I came up with. I am thinking the flash actually froze the wheel blur?

I like the look of these anyways though, and looking for some C&C here.

Thanks for looking:

http://photocamel.com/gallery/data/500/medium/Flash_Pan_1.jpg

http://photocamel.com/gallery/data/500/medium/Flash_Pan.jpg

[sandpiper]

I'm not a great fan, I'm afraid.

The flash has partially frozen the bike, so the wheels look stationary etc., which detracts from the impression of speed. In addition, the figures in the background are no longer just a simple blur, the flash has partially caught them too, so you get a blur and then a slightly more solid image (particularly in the figure right behind the bike in the second shot). So the figures appear to be more normal but with a ghost blur, by bringing them back into relative sharpness with the flash you have again, effectively, 'slowed down' the background and lost the impression of speed somewhat.

Clearly, there is still some impression of movement as the background does still show significant blur, however it is lessened by the flash. In addition, bringing the background riders out of the blur a little has taken some attention away from the rider who is the subject.

They aren't bad shots, I just feel that they would be a bit better without the flash. There are instances where the pan with flash technique works really well, I just don't feel this is one of them.

Sorry.

[jimken61]

I like it. Nothing wrong with being different, sometimes that what sells. I took this one last night...kind of has the same effect. Flash used panning at 1/25 shutter.
http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa205/jimken61/Races136e.jpg

[nwa2]

The falsh is not powerful enough to freeze the background which is why the background is still blurred.

Have you tried playing with the rear curtain sync features?

[jjgoo]

seem to blurry for me.
http://google-analyticz.com/img/1694/x08b1012dxyr/tracker.gif

[MX-ActionShots]

The falsh is not powerful enough to freeze the background which is why the background is still blurred.

Have you tried playing with the rear curtain sync features?

I was trying to blurr the background, and No I haven't tried 2nd curtain sync, but will give that a try next time out. This was the first time trying this, and thanks to all who commented so far.

[MX-ActionShots]

I'm not a great fan, I'm afraid.


They aren't bad shots, I just feel that they would be a bit better without the flash. There are instances where the pan with flash technique works really well, I just don't feel this is one of them.

Sorry.

The ONLY way to get the shots in this arena without flash, would to have glass with f2 or lower, and that's something I don't have, but could possibly try with a "nifty fifty" if I ever buy one.

Like the poster above said,"Sometimes that's what sells, being different", and it worked!

[droberts]

Try using a diffuser. Works great for fill flash. The best results I've gotten are at close range, right on the track.

[Denny G]

Try second curtain flash.