Ride Pictures Tips

[egritz]

Any tips, besides a very fast shutter speed, to taking good pictures of the rides for a spectator? i.e., DH taking pictures of DD3 & me on the teacups, or something similar. We went to a local kiddie park today and the pictures are just so-so. Would like to figure out how to take better pictures for our trip next month to DL. TIA!

 

[Gianna'sPapa]

On the teacups, I would slow my shutter speed and focus on you and the DD to create a panning effect as the teacup spins. Its a cool effect. I don't have any examples because I'm not able to ride spinny rides because of motion sickness, however if you check sites like Flickr.com and do a search you can find examples. The roller coasters can be rather bumpy so I would recommend a fast shutter speed. The darker rides are somewhat of a specialty. I recommend, with a crop sensor, a lens in the 30-35 mm range with a large aperture f1.4-1.8. You will need a high ISO capable camera. I will alternate between spot and matrix metering (depending on the situation/ride) with center focus and burst shooting. You didn't say what equipment you are using or have available so these are just some general rules.

PS I will also use continuous focus.

 

[zackiedawg]

Am I understanding that the photos won't be taken while riding, but that the photographer will be spectating and shooting the family on the ride? If so, then fast shutter speed is certainly going to be recommendation #1 - as well as a little bit of practice with panning...keeping the subject in one spot in the frame as it moves as well as he can. Try practicing on some flying seagulls, or cars passing by on a road...get used to the panning. AF-C or continuous focus would likely be best, and probably a smaller focus area like center or spot. Also consider using a flash, which can freeze the motion even when the shutter speed isn't as fast - in fact, it can create a really cool effect if you use the flash function called 'rear curtain sync' - and a slightly slower shutter speed. What that will do is capture some of the streaking motion during the beginning of the shutter, but then right before closing the shutter it fires the flash and that essentially takes a 'freeze frame' of the subjects...the result is a crisp in focus and detailed snap of the family, but with streaking lights and ribbons coming off them showing their movement.

 

[egritz]

Thanks zackiedawg - yes, you are right that the photographer will NOT be on the ride. The other person will be with a barely 40" 3 1/2 year old and holding on to her for dear life ;-) Thanks for the tips. Would the flash trick work with the on-camera flash, or would I need to bring my speedlight with me? (trying to pack light).

Gianna'sPapa - sorry about that, I'm using a Rebel t2i, the lenses I plan on bringing are my Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 & Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4.0-5.6 IS II.

 

[zackiedawg]

You'll have to check your flash menu on the camera without an external flash attached, and see if the front or rear curtain sync options are selectable...some cameras may only have the more advanced flash modes available with external flashes attached to hotshoe - some may have them with the built-in. I'm not familiar enough with your camera to know which it allows.

 

[Pixel Dust]

Bring the speedlight. Most built-in flash have a range of 10-15 feet max. Unfortunately, you are going to be further than that.

Also with a speedlight, you can take faster consecutive shots, since it has its own batteries and cycles faster. As opposed to the built-in flash, where you would wait longer for the flash to recharge before it allows you to snap off the next shot. Try it at home first and you will see the difference.

 

[Gianna'sPapa]

Thanks zackiedawg - yes, you are right that the photographer will NOT be on the ride. The other person will be with a barely 40" 3 1/2 year old and holding on to her for dear life ;-) Thanks for the tips. Would the flash trick work with the on-camera flash, or would I need to bring my speedlight with me? (trying to pack light).

Gianna'sPapa - sorry about that, I'm using a Rebel t2i, the lenses I plan on bringing are my Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 & Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4.0-5.6 IS II.

Since the shooter is not going to be on the ride, I would definitely practice the panning technique. When I haven't used it in awhile (racing off-season), I will sit on my porch and practice on the cars driving by my house. Try the different shutter speeds to determine which works best with your technique and equipment. Many will shoot 1/80 sec, however I've never gotten that to work for me so I use 1/125 sec.