Motocross Photography General Camera Set-Up?

Hey everyone! I have been talking to many people about cameras and how to set them up. I still am very VERY new at it but can't wait to learn. My main focus is Motocross photography. Ive been told by many people, never use the "Sports mode" under scenes, and set it up yourself.

My current camera is the 70D which I am very excited to start using. I will be using it to take photos and video.

Does anyone have any general motor sport set-ups that they are willing to share?

I'm thinking Tv: Shutter-Priority with a high shutter speed to start out at?

I could be completely 100% off and thats why Im asking this in this thread. Also creating this thread as well incase anyone else has any questions about this set-up.

Thank you in advance for all your responses!


Oh and also, any recommendation on a lens hood? Im using the 18-135mm STM lens. Cant afford a different lens right now so I think this should do for now.

Hello HessMedia

I think you did very good getting the 70D, it looks to have a very good focus capability, and great fps. I would definitely shoot in shutter priority=TV as your dealing with moving subjects. You should be in AI-Servo, auto focus area selector, you can use either Single or 9 point, DON'T use auto area. I would start at 1/1000 of a second, this will depend on what section of any given track you are shooting. Corner shots you can use a slower SP than say a straight away. Start with 1/1000 and if the images are sharp, then you can slow down the SP a bit till you get some motion in the wheels (this will look much better than seeing every knobby) Look in your manual about using the AF On button on the back of the camera I wanted to add that you should get a lens hood for sure, your images will lack contrast without one, plus lens flare?

Here are a couple of shutter speed examples. The slower SP can be a really dynamic picture.


This is at 1/100

Last one is awesome

First off good choice of subject I love shooting MX.

Have to agree with Mataz go for TV mode to start I shoot manual but its hard work with British weather the sun in and out every 5 seconds my fingers dance around on the buttons like a teenage girl on a mobile plus theres a lot of swearing with missed shots due to sudden bursts of sun lol.

With my 7D I use A1 Servo and centre point expansion moving around the frame to suit the position of the bike.

Remember as said above a lot depends on different parts of the circuit and how close you are also step back and just watch a few laps as different riders take different lines and some are quicker than others so if there is a certain rider you want to shoot your settings may need adjusting to suit his style of riding

Heres a few shots with shutter speeds.

1/500

Great Shots........

HessMedia wrote in post #16540178
Hey everyone! I have been talking to many people about cameras and how to set them up. I still am very VERY new at it but can't wait to learn. My main focus is Motocross photography. Ive been told by many people, never use the "Sports mode" under scenes, and set it up yourself.

My current camera is the 70D which I am very excited to start using. I will be using it to take photos and video.

Does anyone have any general motor sport set-ups that they are willing to share?

I'm thinking Tv: Shutter-Priority with a high shutter speed to start out at?

I could be completely 100% off and thats why Im asking this in this thread. Also creating this thread as well incase anyone else has any questions about this set-up.

Thank you in advance for all your responses!


Oh and also, any recommendation on a lens hood? Im using the 18-135mm STM lens. Cant afford a different lens right now so I think this should do for now.

As the example images in this thread clearly demonstrate, the most important element of "setup" is framing and the ability to catch the most intense action moments. For most purposes, Program AE will work just fine, although aperture priority to control depth of field can be useful. Instead of worrying about camera settings, get used to finding the moments with the best action and positioning yourself where you can capture those moments.

GAZA62 wrote in post #16544232
First off good choice of subject I love shooting MX.

Have to agree with Mataz go for TV mode to start I shoot manual but its hard work with British weather the sun in and out every 5 seconds my fingers dance around on the buttons like a teenage girl on a mobile plus theres a lot of swearing with missed shots due to sudden bursts of sun lol.

With my 7D I use A1 Servo and centre point expansion moving around the frame to suit the position of the bike.

Remember as said above a lot depends on different parts of the circuit and how close you are also step back and just watch a few laps as different riders take different lines and some are quicker than others so if there is a certain rider you want to shoot your settings may need adjusting to suit his style of riding

Heres a few shots with shutter speeds.

1/500

1/1250

1/640

1/320

1/400

Very good points GAZA62. Knowing the sport / a particular rider, will help you anticipate the action. GAZA62 living in Michigan early and late in the year, we can have some really weak light also, and I hear you, one cloud passing over can really tank your settings. If the conditions are really poor (lighting wise) I just choose to shoot at under 1/500 or less so the iso can remain at 200, and the only thing that you have to keep an eye on is the aperture? The aperture might really open up under these conditions, but that won't negatively affect the photo, if anything you will just get shallower dof which wouldn't be a bad thing as motocross tracks can be littered with junk on the sides of the track.

btw I really love the first photo, nice edit, has a vintage look plus the people in the back really adds some context to the photo. The forth photo is great also.

DC Fan good point taken. Knowing the sport, and working on the fundamentals of photography like composition are also very important. Taking control of your camera is just part of getting good at photography?

forcefed thank you. Yeah the rider, his name is Matt, is a bad a$$ and I have tons of killer photo's of him.

Thanks everyone for all the input with set-ups. I cant wait to get back from my trip in San Francisco and get to the track to start messing around with pics. Tis the Supercross season so I have a few friends I can call to go take pics of them!

Anyone else shoot in So-Cal? Im hoping to meet BDW soon at the track one day!

Mataz426 wrote in post #16542493
Hello HessMedia

I think you did very good getting the 70D, it looks to have a very good focus capability, and great fps. I would definitely shoot in shutter priority=TV as your dealing with moving subjects. You should be in AI-Servo, auto focus area selector, you can use either Single or 9 point, DON'T use auto area. I would start at 1/1000 of a second, this will depend on what section of any given track you are shooting. Corner shots you can use a slower SP than say a straight away. Start with 1/1000 and if the images are sharp, then you can slow down the SP a bit till you get some motion in the wheels (this will look much better than seeing every knobby) Look in your manual about using the AF On button on the back of the camera I wanted to add that you should get a lens hood for sure, your images will lack contrast without one, plus lens flare?

I will definitely be following your advice. I am planning to order a lens hood soon. Anything you would recommend? Saw there are a few different ones out there.

Also great shots! Thanks for the examples!

HessMedia wrote in post #16545726
I will definitely be following your advice. I am planning to order a lens hood soon. Anything you would recommend? Saw there are a few different ones out there.

Also great shots! Thanks for the examples!

You'll have fun at it, some of the nicest people on the planet I'm speaking of Amateur Motocross.

Mataz426 wrote in post #16546001
You'll have fun at it, some of the nicest people on the planet I'm speaking of Amateur Motocross.

Thanks! Yea I can't wait to get to the track! I actually race Moto, offroad, and endurocross so I have a ton of ideas for cool shots!

Lotsa' links! First shoot with moving cars need advice.