Practising.... out my street HELP me out

[jeffbmw]

the photo's are on my laptop so they won't be there to long.

I went out this evening to practise for a motorcycle race this weekend. Tried to practise some panning but I think I failed misablerly. I included all the exif so people could help me out... Please blast away and I need advice badly.

I really see what people mean by practise practise.....

Conditions Partially sunny, mostly cloudy

I used the 70-200 2.8 for this stuff....AI servo...


Jeff M

[Incomplete Pete]

I certainly wouldn't say you failed miserably! Remember one vital thing, when shooting traffic at 1/200 it won't look as dramatic as a motorbike screaming passed at 150mph. Just practice tomorrow, traffic won't be nearly the same. If you're unsure then use a monopod to steady up your motion and keep your laptop with you so you can take a good close look at your shots and then adjust your settings to increase of decrease the blur so as to ensure sharpness of the vehicle.

Just got home from the pub so not 100% sure if that makes sense!

[jeffbmw]

Yeah ... I really like your idea of having the laptop close by to check my stuff. I will definetaly do that. Really can't see crap on that little screen, everything looks like a good shot on that sucker lol. Also your right that the fact cars going 50 or 60 kmh ain't going to get me to much motion blur. I didn't use a monopod, but I think I will go buy before the race..

Also I tried different speeds and different setting.... so that's why things look a little different between shots.... I was testing testing

Thanks keep it coming....

Jeff

[Incomplete Pete]

Basically, for good motion panning, start out with a fast shutter speed and then slow it down until you're happy with the results. Just takes practice, having IS (Admitadely not mentioned in your sig) on panning mode helps too if you're shooting handheld.

Another tip for you, make sure your sensor is spotless! When shooting this shot at 1/125 I was at f40, thank god I cleaned it the night before, still a long way from perfectly clean though! lol

http://eclipse.smugmug.com/photos/18780440-M.jpg

[jeffbmw]

Everything should be clean my camera is only a month old or so. I like idea of starting hight ie 400/s and then drop down to 200/s. I think a monopod will make up for the lack of IS. Plus the lens does get heavy after a while.

I hope the pictures are atleast ok .... I know there boring but that wasn't the point lol.

[Incomplete Pete]

Most importantly, have fun! If you're feeling really smooth, drop it down to around 1/125, takes a steady hand mind!

[Skip Souza]

Only complaint. No red cars ;-)
Keep at it. I've been doing the same and have discovered that it sure aint as easy as it looks.

[jeffbmw]

I'm shooting for a magazine this weekend, so I hope I can pull off a few good shots of racing. It's the first national sportbike race here in Ontario Canada. I'll be sure to post pics...

[DxHatchback]

this is probably just me being picky, but every picture you had looked to cropped to really give any effect at all

[gmen]

this is probably just me being picky, but every picture you had looked to cropped to really give any effect at all

Yep, a little bit of breathing space around the vehicle isn't always a bad thing.

Also remember to 'follow through' when you're panning as that will maximise your success rate. There was a good thread on panning a while back - http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=58417&highlight=panning - which may be of interest to you.

[jeffbmw]

Yes I tend to over crop quite a bit. I will keep that in mind for the future. I appreciate the feedback. I'll make sure to follow through at the end. I also think that I tend to stop when I press the button. I will be more sub conscious of that next time.


Jeff M

[jeffbmw]

http://www.roadripping.com/html/modules/coppermine/albums/Events/RACE%20May%201%202005/IMG_5627_edited_web.jpg

http://www.roadripping.com/html/modules/coppermine/albums/Events/RACE%20May%201%202005/IMG_5645_edited_web.jpg

http://www.roadripping.com/html/modules/coppermine/albums/Events/RACE%20May%201%202005/IMG_5394_edited_web.jpg

http://www.roadripping.com/html/modules/coppermine/albums/Events/RACE%20May%201%202005/IMG_5325_edited_web.jpg


Please let me know what you think .... if you want to see the rest please visit my site

This is Canadian 600 racing series first race.... oh press passess are soo KEWL.