DARKSTI v. Rollin' Rollin' Rollin' 56K = :X - Page 3

TurbeauxREX · 11-09-2006, 08:45 AM

A few more tips for shooting moving cars.

SHUTTER SPEEDS
Anything under 1/250 will generally give decent blur in the wheels and still provide sharpness in the subject. The slower the shutter speed the more blur, naturally.

SELECTABLE FOCUS POINTS
IF your camera has selectable focus points, choose one that is either left or right of center, depending on the direction of travel. Place the focus point over the front of the vehicle (the front wheel or grill area works well). When combined with a slow shutter speed (1/125 or less) you will realize a fading sharpness from the front of your subject to the rear, e.g., the front of the car in focus with the rest of the car becoming progressively blurred; very cool effect. Works well with fill-flash, also.

EXAMPLE:

FOLLOW THROUGH
Don't stop moving the camera after squeezing the shutter release. Continue to follow the path of your subject. This will ensure that you don't cause blurring or an out of focus condition because you stopped moving the camera while the shutter was still open. Also, the more fluid your panning movements are the better your results will be.

IMAGE STABILIZATION
If you use Image Stabilization lenses with multi-stage IS, such as the Canon 70-200 2.8 L IS, set the lens to IS position 2. IS position 2 is designed for panning.

COMPOSITION
Avoid placing your subject (car) in the center of the frame. Have some
lead-in area to give the impression that the car is coming into the frame, or exiting. Remember the 'Rule of Thirds'.

DUST SPOTS
Shooting at slow shutter speeds in bright day light will cause you to shoot at smaller apertures (F16+) in order to achieve 1/200 and less. This will acentuate any dust that is on your sensor (DSLR) that you otherwise may not have realized shooting at wider apertures. This generally becomes painfully obvious as dust spots in your images when shooting at F22+. Learn how to clean your sensor. There are tutorials on the web for doing this at a minimal cost. I use Pec Pads and Eclipse fluid on homemade cut-down spatula handles and a Rocket bulb blower. DO NOT USE COMPRESSED AIR!

Shoot multiple frames. Shooting at slow shutter speeds are typically low-return as far as keepers go. At least as far as others are concerned, that is. What I like, someone else may not. Since my goal is to sell photos to racers, well, I have to please their taste without compromising mine. So, shoot plenty at varying shutter speeds from 1/250 to 1/15 and wiegh the amount of background blur against the lack of sharpness in your subject and find what works best for you.

Tons of samples at www.pbase.com/cvbjr . Just look in any of my galleries of races - road racing, drag racing, STi, etc. Most of the photos have the EXIF data available so you can see the camera settings I used to make the shot.

Peace,

Curtis

TurbeauxREX · 11-09-2006, 09:20 AM

Nice shots, DARKSTI. Try some rolling shots from another vehicle sometime. Those are cool, too.

How are you liking the MkIIN, btw? Nothing like a pro body.

Curtis

***sti-liger*** · 11-09-2006, 09:26 AM

as always very nice shots!! and TurbeauxREX nice write up

Pennywise · 11-09-2006, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TurbeauxREX

...Snip...

call me crazy, but that picture you posted kinda looks like photoshop... the front wheel doesn't look like it is spinning.

I won't hijack the thread (in fact, I'll go create another thread on panning shots

), just something I noticed.

TurbeauxREX · 11-09-2006, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pennywise

call me crazy, but that picture you posted kinda looks like photoshop... the front wheel doesn't look like it is spinning.

I won't hijack the thread (in fact, I'll go create another thread on panning shots

), just something I noticed.

I don't know you well enough to call you crazy, so...

I assure you, it's not photoshopped, other than basic editing. FYI, these cars (sub-7 second) carry the front wheels for the first 60 feet or so, hence, the front tire is not rolling. Have a look at my NHRA galleries and see more examples.

Curtis

Pennywise · 11-09-2006, 10:27 AM

I realized after I posted that the wheels were probably up when you took the pic... my bad

ghibli99 · 11-09-2006, 11:01 AM

Looks pretty damn good for being your second go at it!

Blur looks a little weird/dizzying in #4 (the profile shot where the STI is pointing to the right), and if I wanted to nitpick, I'd say I'd love to see a little more background motion blur in #3 (the shot you cropped for your sig).

How do you like your L lens? I'd love to see more shots. Bokeh looks decent on the first shot, although I wish there wasn't so much begin reflected on the side of your car.

-Mike

DARKSTI · 11-09-2006, 11:55 AM

Thanks, Tioga Pass is actually in CA, its an entrance to Yosemite

Quote:

Originally Posted by nandanrp

Very nice, I'm jealous of the scenery you guys have in NV

I personally like the weather in those shots too, the mist gives it character

What mode did you shoot those in, and do you have any general tips/tricks to shoot rolling shots well?

DARKSTI · 11-09-2006, 11:57 AM

I love my L, I am very happy with it...very sharp. The pics I posted have very little sharpening applied, some don't even have any.

Yea, like I said, it was my second time so I will get better

Quote:

Originally Posted by ghibli99

Looks pretty damn good for being your second go at it!

Blur looks a little weird/dizzying in #4 (the profile shot where the STI is pointing to the right), and if I wanted to nitpick, I'd say I'd love to see a little more background motion blur in #3 (the shot you cropped for your sig).

How do you like your L lens? I'd love to see more shots. Bokeh looks decent on the first shot, although I wish there wasn't so much begin reflected on the side of your car.

-Mike

Yea I plan to! I LOVE it, as you can see, the weather was wet and it was nice not having to worry about some rain. The focus was freaking fast also

Quote:

Originally Posted by TurbeauxREX

Nice shots, DARKSTI. Try some rolling shots from another vehicle sometime. Those are cool, too.

How are you liking the MkIIN, btw? Nothing like a pro body.

Curtis

kym · 11-09-2006, 01:14 PM

Nice pictures, Ryan! Looks beautiful there.

DARKSTI · 11-09-2006, 01:45 PM

Yea,even in shi|y weather its great

Quote:

Originally Posted by kym

Nice pictures, Ryan! Looks beautiful there.

**Parker** · 11-09-2006, 05:04 PM

you need to take a trip to socal so we can go shoot!

DARKSTI · 11-09-2006, 05:20 PM

Yea, I need to come down anyways so I can learn the way the HSPN guys edit video. I just need to find the time

Quote:

Originally Posted by Parker

you need to take a trip to socal so we can go shoot!

GCtoSTI · 11-10-2006, 08:56 AM

the fourth pic is best by far.. noice..i love black on the 06's

diddy808 · 11-15-2006, 11:24 AM

Looks like your moms had some fun with your ride. Nice pics!!!

11-09-2006, 08:45 AM	#31
TurbeauxREX Junior STI Driver Car: 2004 STi & 2005 LGT Fav Mod: Track Time Location: Des Allemands, La Posts: 55 Join Date: Jan 2006 Trader Rating: (0)	Panning Tips A few more tips for shooting moving cars. SHUTTER SPEEDS Anything under 1/250 will generally give decent blur in the wheels and still provide sharpness in the subject. The slower the shutter speed the more blur, naturally. SELECTABLE FOCUS POINTS IF your camera has selectable focus points, choose one that is either left or right of center, depending on the direction of travel. Place the focus point over the front of the vehicle (the front wheel or grill area works well). When combined with a slow shutter speed (1/125 or less) you will realize a fading sharpness from the front of your subject to the rear, e.g., the front of the car in focus with the rest of the car becoming progressively blurred; very cool effect. Works well with fill-flash, also. EXAMPLE: FOLLOW THROUGH Don't stop moving the camera after squeezing the shutter release. Continue to follow the path of your subject. This will ensure that you don't cause blurring or an out of focus condition because you stopped moving the camera while the shutter was still open. Also, the more fluid your panning movements are the better your results will be. IMAGE STABILIZATION If you use Image Stabilization lenses with multi-stage IS, such as the Canon 70-200 2.8 L IS, set the lens to IS position 2. IS position 2 is designed for panning. COMPOSITION Avoid placing your subject (car) in the center of the frame. Have some lead-in area to give the impression that the car is coming into the frame, or exiting. Remember the 'Rule of Thirds'. DUST SPOTS Shooting at slow shutter speeds in bright day light will cause you to shoot at smaller apertures (F16+) in order to achieve 1/200 and less. This will acentuate any dust that is on your sensor (DSLR) that you otherwise may not have realized shooting at wider apertures. This generally becomes painfully obvious as dust spots in your images when shooting at F22+. Learn how to clean your sensor. There are tutorials on the web for doing this at a minimal cost. I use Pec Pads and Eclipse fluid on homemade cut-down spatula handles and a Rocket bulb blower. DO NOT USE COMPRESSED AIR! Shoot multiple frames. Shooting at slow shutter speeds are typically low-return as far as keepers go. At least as far as others are concerned, that is. What I like, someone else may not. Since my goal is to sell photos to racers, well, I have to please their taste without compromising mine. So, shoot plenty at varying shutter speeds from 1/250 to 1/15 and wiegh the amount of background blur against the lack of sharpness in your subject and find what works best for you. Tons of samples at www.pbase.com/cvbjr . Just look in any of my galleries of races - road racing, drag racing, STi, etc. Most of the photos have the EXIF data available so you can see the camera settings I used to make the shot. Peace, Curtis This ad is not endorsed by this member. Please register or login to hide this ad.

11-15-2006, 11:24 AM	#45
diddy808 Junior STI Driver Car: MY06 WRX STi Fav Mod: my mud flaps Location: haiku, maui Posts: 117 Join Date: Jul 2005 Trader Rating: (0)	Looks like your moms had some fun with your ride. Nice pics!!! This ad is not endorsed by this member. Please register or login to hide this ad.

11-09-2006, 09:20 AM	#32
TurbeauxREX Junior STI Driver Car: 2004 STi & 2005 LGT Fav Mod: Track Time Location: Des Allemands, La Posts: 55 Join Date: Jan 2006 Trader Rating: (0)	Nice shots, DARKSTI. Try some rolling shots from another vehicle sometime. Those are cool, too. How are you liking the MkIIN, btw? Nothing like a pro body. Curtis

11-09-2006, 09:26 AM	#33
*sti-liger* this space for rent Car: 04 psm sti Fav Mod: custom 03 seats Location: california Posts: 742 Join Date: Jul 2006 Trader Rating: (8)	as always very nice shots!! and TurbeauxREX nice write up

11-09-2006, 10:27 AM	#36
Pennywise Professional STI Racer Car: 06 black sti Fav Mod: remote start Location: Boostin, MA Posts: 659 Join Date: Feb 2006 Trader Rating: (0)	I realized after I posted that the wheels were probably up when you took the pic... my bad

11-09-2006, 11:01 AM	#37
ghibli99 Professional STI Racer Car: 08 GD3 5MT Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 809 Join Date: Sep 2005 Trader Rating: (0)	Looks pretty damn good for being your second go at it! Blur looks a little weird/dizzying in #4 (the profile shot where the STI is pointing to the right), and if I wanted to nitpick, I'd say I'd love to see a little more background motion blur in #3 (the shot you cropped for your sig). How do you like your L lens? I'd love to see more shots. Bokeh looks decent on the first shot, although I wish there wasn't so much begin reflected on the side of your car. -Mike

11-09-2006, 01:14 PM	#40
kym Travel bug. Car: Zoom Zoom Posts: 109 Join Date: Jun 2006 Trader Rating: (1)	Nice pictures, Ryan! Looks beautiful there.

11-09-2006, 05:04 PM	#42
Parker Photography Mod Car: 06 SGM STI Location: San Diego Posts: 3,024 Join Date: Mar 2006 Trader Rating: (7)	you need to take a trip to socal so we can go shoot!

11-10-2006, 08:56 AM	#44
GCtoSTI Senior STI Driver Car: 04 wrb sti sil/bbs Fav Mod: air conditioning... Location: tri-states Posts: 308 Join Date: Oct 2006 Trader Rating: (0)	the fourth pic is best by far.. noice..i love black on the 06's