Anyone else into motion blur images?

[b_1_rd]

That's good. Looking forward to some pictures

[philm]

Took this about 7 years ago can,t get into my flickr account for the better ones



HDR version

[b_1_rd]

One of my more normal subjects...

201608211286_2_WM by Steve Bird, on Flickr

[b_1_rd]

and one with a MG/Rover

20160529102 by Steve Bird, on Flickr

[coolcat]

Motorsport photography is my passion........well that and cats and the Norfolk Broads

A few of mine,

IMG_1522 by Jeff Cranwell, on Flickr
Dtm Brands Hatch May 2012 card1 010 by Jeff Cranwell, on Flickr
20150809_135807000_iOS by Jeff Cranwell, on Flickr
CC9J3673.jpg by Jeff Cranwell, on Flickr
CC9J7990 by Jeff Cranwell, on Flickr

[Phil]

Awesome pictures!
How do you keep a moving object in focus? It must be very difficult.

[coolcat]

Originally Posted by Phil

Awesome pictures!
How do you keep a moving object in focus? It must be very difficult.

Slow(ish) shutter speed and swing your body whilst tracking the subject keeping the shutter half depressed so locking the focus then firing at the right moment whilst still swinging your body, follow through......bit like a golf swing

You can of course also pre focus on the spot where you want to take the shot, then switch the camera to manual focus and track in the same way.
Also there is back button focusing which is also a good technique to try

[b_1_rd]

I tend to use AI servo, which allows the lens/camera to continually adjust focus on a moving subject and high speed continuous drive (also known as burst), follow the subject, and fire off 3 to 5 frames. More often than not, the middle couple of frames are the best.

Combining this with the panning technique as described by Jeff and a bag load of practice and eventually it works.

As a rule of thumb, start with a shutter speed equivalent to the focal length of the lens you are using e.g. if you have a 500mm lens use 1/500, get those shots sharp, then try 1/250 and get them sharp, then try again at 1/125 then 1/60 etc. The slowest motorsport shot I've had recently is 1/50th.

20170322059 by Steve Bird, on Flickr

I have gone slower, mostly with cars, but the keeper rate dramatically drops (thank heavens for digital).

Incidentally, the sidecar in my previous post was at 1/80 but considerably closer to the track side (at Mallory Park, on the infield of the John Cooper esses). The MG ZR was 1/60 (at Quarry, Castle Combe). The shot in this post is at 1/50 of Rob Guiver on the Ducati Romford/Hyside Racing Ducati 899 (inside of Redgate at Donington Park)

Hope that helps

[coolcat]

Originally Posted by b_1_rd

I tend to use AI servo, which allows the lens/camera to continually adjust focus on a moving subject and high speed continuous drive (also known as burst), follow the subject, and fire off 3 to 5 frames. More often than not, the middle couple of frames are the best.

Combining this with the panning technique as described by Jeff and a bag load of practice and eventually it works.

As a rule of thumb, start with a shutter speed equivalent to the focal length of the lens you are using e.g. if you have a 500mm lens use 1/500, get those shots sharp, then try 1/250 and get them sharp, then try again at 1/125 then 1/60 etc. The slowest motorsport shot I've had recently is 1/50th.

20170322059 by Steve Bird, on Flickr

I have gone slower, mostly with cars, but the keeper rate dramatically drops (thank heavens for digital).

Hope that helps

I used to use continuous burst but I'm too lazy to sort the shots out afterwards lol

Glad to see we are following each other on Flickr, probably not going to get to a motorsport event until the BTCC at Snetterton this year.
Spoilt myself last year with trips to Brands Hatch, Snetterton and a great trip to Knockhill

[Phil]

Thanks for the advice guys.
I will have to read up about this...
Back button focusing. Never heard of that!!