Approve the Cookies
This website uses cookies to improve your user experience. By using this site, you agree to our use of cookies and our Privacy Policy.
OK
Forums  •   • New posts  •   • RTAT  •   • 'Best of'  •   • Gallery  •   • Gear
Guest
Forums  •   • New posts  •   • RTAT  •   • 'Best of'  •   • Gallery  •   • Gear
Register to forums    Log in

 
FORUMS Photo Sharing & Discussion Motorsports 
Thread started 20 Jul 2010 (Tuesday) 04:12
Search threadPrev/next
sponsored links (only for non-logged)

Advice for a first timer.

 
Revo
Senior Member
439 posts
Joined Mar 2010
Location: SoCal
     
Jul 20, 2010 04:12 |  #1

So I've had a T2i for a few months now with a Canon 17-85mm and a Sigma 30mm f/1.4 and have enjoyed my entrance into real photography. I shot my friends playing some airsoft and also took a trip to Badwater and Racetrack Playa in Death Valley.

This weekend I'm heading up to Laguna Seca in Monterey, CA for Moto GP, and I was hoping to get some shots.

I'm going to pick up a Canon 70-300mm IS USM with a Hood.

I'm just looking for some general tips in shooting motorsports (I have yet to take pictures of anything that fast moving). Should I use a Circular Polarizer, UV filter?

Thanks


Canon 5D Mark II | Canon 7D | Canon G11
24-105L| 70-200L IS II | 2x III Extender | Sigma 17-70 f/2.8-4 OS HSM | Sigma 50mm f/1.4 | 580EX II
Full Gear List | Feedback

  
  LOG IN TO REPLY
DC ­ Fan
Cream of the Crop
Avatar
5,881 posts
Gallery: 3 photos
Likes: 53
Joined Oct 2005
     
Jul 20, 2010 06:32 |  #2

Motorsports with a T2i and a Canon 70-300mm IS USM lens.

IMAGE NOT FOUND
Byte size: ZERO | Content warning: NOT AN IMAGE


IMAGE NOT FOUND
Byte size: ZERO | Content warning: NOT AN IMAGE



MotoGP with a XTi and a Canon 70-300mm IS USM lens.

IMAGE NOT FOUND
Byte size: ZERO | Content warning: NOT AN IMAGE


IMAGE NOT FOUND
Byte size: ZERO | Content warning: NOT AN IMAGE



For a first-timer: don't worry about settings, worry about framing. Find a place with a clear view of the racers where you can get the target in the center of the frame, filling as much of the frame as possible. Track the target all of the way to the point that you have it framed the way you want, then push the shutter button. Motorsports action photography is a lot like a golf swing. In both cases, smoothness and follow-through lead to a good shot.

For a first-timer, don't worry about filters, worry about framing and tracking the target. Don't worry about settings: put the camera in Program AE, Auto ISO and AI Servo constant tracking autofocus and Evaluative metering. For a first-timer, work on getting the bike in frame. Let the camera make the exposure choices while you work on learning how to track and capture the racers.

There are more elaborate and advanced techniques using shutter speed and framing and angles and settings and filters that you can learn after you have some experience with motorsports action photography. For a first attempt, just concentrate on getting the basics and getting decent images of the riders that fill the frame.



  
  LOG IN TO REPLY
sigma ­ pi
Cream of the Crop
Avatar
11,204 posts
Likes: 6
Joined Apr 2010
Location: Los Angeles
     
Jul 20, 2010 15:13 |  #3

go practice on the street. That way your first panning shots are not at the race.


Don't try to confuse me with the facts, my mind is already made up.
http://www.flickr.com …6850267535/in/p​hotostream (external link)

  
  LOG IN TO REPLY
Revo
THREAD ­ STARTER
Senior Member
439 posts
Joined Mar 2010
Location: SoCal
     
Jul 21, 2010 14:29 |  #4

DC Fan wrote in post #10569595 (external link)
Motorsports with a T2i and a Canon 70-300mm IS USM lens.

MotoGP with a XTi and a Canon 70-300mm IS USM lens.

For a first-timer: don't worry about settings, worry about framing. Find a place with a clear view of the racers where you can get the target in the center of the frame, filling as much of the frame as possible. Track the target all of the way to the point that you have it framed the way you want, then push the shutter button. Motorsports action photography is a lot like a golf swing. In both cases, smoothness and follow-through lead to a good shot.

For a first-timer, don't worry about filters, worry about framing and tracking the target. Don't worry about settings: put the camera in Program AE, Auto ISO and AI Servo constant tracking autofocus and Evaluative metering. For a first-timer, work on getting the bike in frame. Let the camera make the exposure choices while you work on learning how to track and capture the racers.

There are more elaborate and advanced techniques using shutter speed and framing and angles and settings and filters that you can learn after you have some experience with motorsports action photography. For a first attempt, just concentrate on getting the basics and getting decent images of the riders that fill the frame.

Those are some great shots (and great advice, thank you).

Even more encouraging to see it's with the same setup as I plan to use.

Which Moto GP race was that?


Canon 5D Mark II | Canon 7D | Canon G11
24-105L| 70-200L IS II | 2x III Extender | Sigma 17-70 f/2.8-4 OS HSM | Sigma 50mm f/1.4 | 580EX II
Full Gear List | Feedback

  
  LOG IN TO REPLY
Chris ­ Weller
Member
44 posts
Joined Jul 2010
Location: Florida
     
Jul 24, 2010 21:38 as a reply to  @ Revo's post |  #5

Revo,

I wish I had see this before Saturday. Below is a link to an article I wrote on motorsports panning. Hope it helps in the future.

Chris

http://www.thephotoarg​us.com …o-panning-in-motorsports/ (external link)


Personal Blog: http://chris-weller.blogspot.com/ (external link)

  
  LOG IN TO REPLY
garyark
Member
58 posts
Joined May 2010
Location: Arkansas
     
Jul 29, 2010 07:42 |  #6

Its fun to slow your shutter speed to 1/15th and horizontally pan as they pass in front of you.


Gary in Arkansas
5D + 40D & Other Stuff

  
  LOG IN TO REPLY
Revo
THREAD ­ STARTER
Senior Member
439 posts
Joined Mar 2010
Location: SoCal
     
Jul 29, 2010 18:46 |  #7

Chris Weller wrote in post #10597506 (external link)
Revo,

I wish I had see this before Saturday. Below is a link to an article I wrote on motorsports panning. Hope it helps in the future.

Chris

http://www.thephotoarg​us.com …o-panning-in-motorsports/ (external link)

I was able to read the article while I was up at the event. It helped quite a bit. Thanks!

Here's one of the better shots I got while I was up there.

IMAGE NOT FOUND
HTTP response: NOT FOUND | MIME changed to 'image/png'

Canon 5D Mark II | Canon 7D | Canon G11
24-105L| 70-200L IS II | 2x III Extender | Sigma 17-70 f/2.8-4 OS HSM | Sigma 50mm f/1.4 | 580EX II
Full Gear List | Feedback

  
  LOG IN TO REPLY
sponsored links (only for non-logged)

2,333 views & 0 likes for this thread, 5 members have posted to it.
Advice for a first timer.
FORUMS Photo Sharing & Discussion Motorsports 
AAA
x 1600
y 1600

Jump to forum...   •  Rules   •  Forums   •  New posts   •  RTAT   •  'Best of'   •  Gallery   •  Gear   •  Reviews   •  Member list   •  Polls   •  Image rules   •  Search   •  Password reset   •  Home

Not a member yet?
Register to forums
Registered members may log in to forums and access all the features: full search, image upload, follow forums, own gear list and ratings, likes, more forums, private messaging, thread follow, notifications, own gallery, all settings, view hosted photos, own reviews, see more and do more... and all is free. Don't be a stranger - register now and start posting!


COOKIES DISCLAIMER: This website uses cookies to improve your user experience. By using this site, you agree to our use of cookies and to our privacy policy.
Privacy policy and cookie usage info.


POWERED BY AMASS forum software 2.58forum software
version 2.58 /
code and design
by Pekka Saarinen ©
for photography-on-the.net

Latest registered member was a spammer, and banned as such!
2428 guests, 103 members online
Simultaneous users record so far is 15,144, that happened on Nov 22, 2018

Photography-on-the.net Digital Photography Forums is the website for photographers and all who love great photos, camera and post processing techniques, gear talk, discussion and sharing. Professionals, hobbyists, newbies and those who don't even own a camera -- all are welcome regardless of skill, favourite brand, gear, gender or age. Registering and usage is free.