Road Racing Shots - Help

[Catherine4483]

I just got a new Canon Rebel XSi and i'm new to Cameras so how should i set this camera up for high speed action shots?

Thanks
Catherine

[DC Fan]

Settings? No magic bullet there if you're trying motorsports action shots for the first time. Just put the camera in full auto or program AE and take as many pictures as you can, to get used to the idea of keeping fast-moving objects in frame and making those objects fill the frame as much as possible.

http://www.kevinlillard.com/online/09272008a0818.jpg

http://www.kevinlillard.com/online/07202008d0943.jpg

Focal length is the most important factor. Typically, you'll need a telephoto lens to handle the distances and framing you'll find at a race track. The kart image was at 180mm and the IndyCar image at 300mm.

http://www.kevinlillard.com/racing/20090829a0968.jpg

There's one trick of using relatively slow shutter speeds to produce motion blur and the illusion of movement, as illustrated above, but if you're getting started in racing photography, that technique can wait. Spend some time first working on the basics and getting as much experience as possible. It'll take enough time to get accustomed to the pace of action and the patterns of movement.

[Jamie Holladay]

I just got a new Canon Rebel XSi and i'm new to Cameras so how should i set this camera up for high speed action shots?

Thanks
Catherine
A good place to start panning shots is in TV mode & AISERVO with a shutter speed of 250. Work on your technique and once you have that down start lowering your shutter speed until you achieve the motion in the shot that you are looking for. Hope this helps.

Also check out this thread
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=151056

[Catherine4483]

Awesome! Thanks for the help!

[littleangel]

Well i,t is that area where you can learn only with trial and error.
But just a few tips that i think will help you to get better faster are:
Position yourself at turns because cars decelerate at turns and it becomes very easy to pan and shoot there.
Although while panning aperture doesn't matter much, all that really matters is shutter speed, faster shutter speed shows a car to be frozen while slower shutter speed gives the effect of moving car.
Since you are new to it, don't mind shutter speed( i am sure you won't be able to keep the shutter speed low, this early ) if you can't, use wider lens, this will give you a blurred background which will help you to show a car to stand out from background.
Shoot in manual mode while shooting cars coming at you with headlights on.
Good luck with shooting!

[Catherine4483]

AWESOME, Thanks for the help!

[Catherine4483]

This is one of the pic's i took, not good but i'm learning!


http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj13/catherine4483/FSB%20Crew%20at%20JGP%202/FSB%20Crew%20at%20JGP%203/NovTKD3376.jpg

[kmarriner]

Also, learn to thumb focus, it helps a lot.

[Catherine4483]

Also, learn to thumb focus, it helps a lot.

???

[13inches]

What kmarriner is talking about is moving the focus lock function from the half-pressed shutter button to the * button on the back of the camera.

Brew a pot of coffee or tea, grab a few snacks and get reading!
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=46965

[andrewc]

Practise is the key. Tv Mode, AI SERVO focus and manually select a focus point, and then practise practise practise. Steady hand, caress shutter button and smooth panning action (follow through afterwards).

Thumb focusing is not for everyone.

If you have easy access to a road near you with reasonably fast traffic (that is safe to you to stand and practise) then that can help

[Catherine4483]

Hmmm im off tmrw so i will go play by the road, lol....

[Munchdog]

http://www.kevinlillard.com/racing/20090829a0968.jpg

What lens did you shoot this with?

[john300sl]

Catherine,

Try this link for how to shoot motorsports. John Thawley is one of the best. Do a search for him on this forum and you will see.
http://blog.photoshelter.com/2010/01/how-to-photograph-motorsports.html
This applies to cars as well as motorcycles.
What lens do you have for the Rebel XSi?

John

[DC Fan]

What lens did you shoot this with?

Sorry for a slow response - Canon 70-300mm IS USM (http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-EF-70-300mm-f-4-5.6-IS-USM-Lens-Review.aspx) on a XTi.

Camera Make: Canon
Camera Model: Canon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XTi
Focal Length: 300.0mm
Exposure Time: 0.0080 s (1/125)
Aperture: f/14.0
ISO equiv: 400
White Balance: Auto
Metering Mode: Matrix
Exposure: shutter priority (semi-auto)

[Catherine4483]

Right now i have the EFS 55-250mm 1:4-5.6 IS

[Catherine4483]

Sorry for a slow response - Canon 70-300mm IS USM (http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-EF-70-300mm-f-4-5.6-IS-USM-Lens-Review.aspx) on a XTi.

Camera Make: Canon
Camera Model: Canon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XTi
Focal Length: 300.0mm
Exposure Time: 0.0080 s (1/125)
Aperture: f/14.0
ISO equiv: 400
White Balance: Auto
Metering Mode: Matrix
Exposure: shutter priority (semi-auto)

That is the lens i am looking to buy

[low orbit]

Gidday Catherine,

master your current lens first. Longer focal lengths can be tricky, and more expensive glass will not help your technique when you're starting.

Cheers.