Oncoming shots

[dicky2988]

I have been reading about motor-sport photography technique for several days now and and slowly getting to grips with the panning technique.

I don't seem to be able to find any help with oncoming shots. Or cars/bikes/karts that have just exited the corner?

Is it because I'm being daft and it's a case of servo focus, point and shoot? Or do i pre focus on a point in the track and snap when my subject enters the pre focus area?

Shots like 3 and 4 in this thread
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=786038&highlight=karts

any help would be great

Rich

[Simon Harrison]

The technique should be no different than a full side on pan. You want AI servo, select an AF point that you can place on an area of high contrast on your target, and then track the target for a second or two before taking the shot.

All motorsport photography requires panning as you track your target, so there isn't really any difference in technique between a full side on pan or head on / three quarter shot. Your settings may change (shutter speed) but that is about all.

If your not constantly moving the camera when shooting motorsport, then you're almost certainly doing it wrong!

Simon.

[DC Fan]

I have been reading about motor-sport photography technique for several days now and and slowly getting to grips with the panning technique.

I don't seem to be able to find any help with oncoming shots. Or cars/bikes/karts that have just exited the corner?

Is it because I'm being daft and it's a case of servo focus, point and shoot? Or do i pre focus on a point in the track and snap when my subject enters the pre focus area?

Images like these?

http://www.kevinlillard.com/racing/20091025a0554.jpg

http://www.kevinlillard.com/racing/20090927aa0085.jpg

http://www.kevinlillard.com/racing/200908301002.jpg

http://www.kevinlillard.com/racing/20091018aa0031.jpg

There's no difference in the technique. Set the camera at AI servo continuous autofocus and track the target. The shutter speed decides if it's a conventional still shot, such as the ones in these examples, or a "panning" shot with a slower shutter speed to create an illusion of motion.

[dicky2988]

Okay thanks for clearing it up. I was just unsure on panning something that is almost coming at you
straight on, as it means the distance from object to sensor is constantly becoming smaller, and quickly

[Simon Harrison]

Okay thanks for clearing it up. I was just unsure on panning something that is almost coming at you
straight on, as it means the distance from object to sensor is constantly becoming smaller, and quickly

No problem. You are right that if something is coming straight down the barrel of the lens that it is probably the hardest thing for the AF system to deal with. I've always had better hit rates with something that is at least slightly moving diagonally across the frame.

Cheers,

Simon.

[dicky2988]

I will watch out for that when picking a place to stand, so I get some lateral movement

[ajmphotography]

The technique should be no different than a full side on pan. You want AI servo, select an AF point that you can place on an area of high contrast on your target, and then track the target for a second or two before taking the shot.

All motorsport photography requires panning as you track your target, so there isn't really any difference in technique between a full side on pan or head on / three quarter shot. Your settings may change (shutter speed) but that is about all.

If your not constantly moving the camera when shooting motorsport, then you're almost certainly doing it wrong!

Simon.

Love the website Simon.

How did you manage to get track access etc? Did you apply through a local paper or something?

Am looking to do the same one day

[ryant35]

I zoom out and match the on coming speed of the vehicle with a shutter speed of around 1/400 sec for some wheel spin blur and a little background blur. Not has much as panning but it still looks good.

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k173/ryant35/CORR/IMG_5838.jpg

[Simon Harrison]

Love the website Simon.

How did you manage to get track access etc? Did you apply through a local paper or something?

Am looking to do the same one day

My more recent galleries (everything from 2010) were all shot from the public side of the fence.

Up until this year, I had been shooting for both local and national publications (both newspaper and specialist motorsport press). I started off by having a chat with the sports editor of my local paper. Over the next 2 years, I sent in shots from events taken from the public spectator areas to whatever brief he gave me. Only once he was happy with my work did he start to apply for accreditation for me. I then picked up work as my network of contacts grew.

I have gone back to shooting from the public side of the fence this year as I'm afraid the returns just do not justify the effort to maintain accreditation. I have to say that as a result, I am enjoying my photography once again. It's great being able to shoot what I want, how I want, when I want rather than having to photograph to someone elses specification.

Simon.