Photo Pros How do I take a picture like this?

[Magix]

Thanks for the tips everyone.

Magix thanks for the detailed instuctions. I see you are a Champ Car fan so I won't tell you that I will be trying your tricks at the IRL race in St. Petersburg next week. BTW, your racing shots are great!!!

Hopefully I'll get a couple of decent shots.

Well, we'll all be one series before long, so I guess there's no harm in you getting good IRL pictures...

When I first started shooting motorsports, I found a book by a Formula One photographer, which gave instructions on how to do the panning shot. Went out and tried it and found that it was really fairly simple. All you need is for someone to tell you how. Good luck and be sure to show us your best shot!

 

[ndelaware]

Well, we'll all be one series before long....

It was one series and should have stayed that way except for that "donkey" in Indianapolis.

 

[Magix]

It was one series and should have stayed that way except for that "donkey" in Indianapolis.

Absolutely correct, ndelaware. Only one man is responsible for the split and it's him. Very humorous to hear him talking now about how we need to save open-wheel racing, as though he wasn't singularly responsible for the sad state it's in now. Still, the amigos of Champ Car seem to be finally getting the idea through his thick skull and I think a reunification may finally be in the offing. As much as I hate TG, we need this to happen.

 

[tigger795]

If you try the panning method be sure to follow through on your panning motion even after the shutter closes again otherwise you may tend to anticipate when the shutter closes and impart unwanted movement to your capture.

 

[boBQuincy]

The image in question is probably "as taken' but it could have been done in Photoshop if the photographer felt it needed some enhancing.

 

[ndelaware]

Is that a Corvair?!

 

[boBQuincy]

Yep, a 1965 Corsa, modified and owned (at the time) by Dan Giannotti. The photo was taken at Virginia International Raceway, July 2002.

Disney content: there is also a Corvair at Dinoland in Animal Kingdom, probably to play on the "extinct" theme.


boB

 

[TheLionKing]

To get that blur in the camera, you have to match the shutter speed with the speed of the action you are trying to freeze, so it varies from sport to sport and it varies with how tight the shot is.

One should be very careful declaring something photoshopped.

For motorcycle and race car shots with blur they typically shoot somewhere around 1/250 of a second or slower if they are going at a good speed and they are pretty tight with the composition. For a wide shot like that, I would imagine the speed would even be slower.

For surfing I shoot around 1/30 of a second to get that effect. It takes a fair amount of practice and I get lots of shots that are throw aways.

 

[Cashcow]

Thanks for all the tips everyone!!! With your help I was able to get these pictures this past weekend....

 

[ndelaware]

WOW!!! Great work Cashcow!!!

 

[Magix]

Fantastic work, cashcow!!! Particularly for a first-timer with the panning method! As ugly as the cars might be your shots are great! (Sorry, couldn't resist an IRL swipe).

Thanks for sharing with us! I'm so happy you were able to come up with some great stuff!