Title: POTN Powershot Speed Challenge #63 - Panning

Thanks for second place Boomer, that was a great topic, made me get out and practice something I'd never really tried before.

Congratulations to GoHokiesGo a really good capture, looking forward to the next topic

Wow, you guys made my feable first attempt look really bad compared to everyone elses first attempts! Nice job everyone!! Anyone care to share their panning secrets?

Cindi wrote in post #2937866
Wow, you guys made my feable first attempt look really bad compared to everyone elses first attempts! Nice job everyone!! Anyone care to share their panning secrets?

I thought your entry was real nice Cindi. No secret to mine. Purely by chance.
Longer shutter to increase background blur while moving the camera with the subject.

O_T wrote in post #2937900
I thought your entry was real nice Cindi. No secret to mine. Purely by chance.
Longer shutter to increase background blur while moving the camera with the subject.

I wouldn't have thought to have a longer shutter speed when trying to freeze the action. I think the problem with mine too was that I was sitting up in the bleachers and I should have been on ground level. I will keep trying though!

Cindi wrote in post #2937866
Wow, you guys made my feable first attempt look really bad compared to everyone elses first attempts! Nice job everyone!! Anyone care to share their panning secrets?

Your shot was still great! I can tell you a few things based on my novice experience at motorsports shooting.

Like O_T mentioned, the shutter speed is really important. Slow it down a little so that you can get a sense of motion, it'll keep the object in focus, but blur the background and wheels (if a car) so that you get that movement sensation. I usually start around 1/400 in Tv mode on my camera, then work around that number (was mentioned as a good starting place in the motorsports section).

Also, just trial and error till you get lucky with a good shot. I took a bunch of photos when I went to the race, and usually I get a couple lucky keepers that pop out really well. My technique is I press the shutter down halfway to focus on a point, then hold it. I'll go back a little to follow the object and start framing it, press the shutter when it gets to my focus point, and then continue to follow through with it as the car goes down the track.

I'm still definitely an amateur as it as well, but you just take a bunch and eventually you get the hang of it pretty well.

Thanks alot for the tips Go Hokies (I feel funny calling you that..LOL!!!)

Very nice pic Hokies. I plan on making some different racing events myself this summer with my S2 so I'm glad to see the quality pic you took with yours. We've got the show "Pinks" coming to Rockingham Easter Weekend and I think I'm going...it's only Saturday , and then of course some local NASCAR type action all around. I may even try to make it to some of the road tracks near by including VIR

I only have 2 filters, UV and a Circular Hoya Polarizer....which I LOVE lol....52mm as well.

Congrats to everyone who placed, there were some great pictures..And everyone who didn't place, it was nice to see what great attempts were done..
I would have liked to enter this contest, but out of all the pictures I have, I don't really have anything that would be considered panning.. Although this is a technique I would like to try in the near future..

Can't wait till the next challenge..

The shots guys, I think its a really challenging technique that I've tried but failed miserably at. Now that the weather is getting nicer, hopefully I can start experimenting with the challenge of the week instead of having to dig through my old collection.

Always enjoy participating.