I'm going to take my new Rebel XTi and 70-200 F4 IS L lens to an all MINI track day next month and was looking for insight. I haven't had the chance to play with the camera much other than the preset modes (which are great) however I wanted to get some shots of cars in motion (difficult I know but well worth the effort) where the car is in focus but background is blurred.

Any recommendations for how to set the camera up? I'm new to it and will need to break out the manual I know. With it being Seattle it will likely be high overcast or sunny/cloudy day.

Any input appreciated.
Todd

 

Learn to pan.

Example:


Check out the Panning Only Group on Flickr.

 

Yup, panning is a must. Panning is following the car with the camera so the car remains in the center of the frame. In other words, move the camera, don't hold it still... watch the car through the camera as you take the pictures. Be smooth.

Your best bet is to not use the built-in modes on the camera. Especially not the "sport" mode. Sport mode will try to freeze the action, so all the pictures will look like the car is parked.

Put the camera in shutter priority mode, and set the shutter speed to something like 1/60 second if the cars are going ~60mph... 1/30 second if the cars are going 30mph... 1/100 second if the cars are going 100mph... etc. The longer the exposure (the slower the shutter speed - 1/30 is slow) the harder it will be to keep the car from becoming blurry along with the background.

After you take some, look at them (even on the camera). Zoom in close when looking at the pictures you took and see if the car is blurry / jumpy. If you cannot get a clean shot at 1/60 second, jump the shutter speed up a notch or two. You'll get less motion blur, but it will be easier to get a clean shot of the car.

If you're going to try panning, take lots and lots of pictures, as you will have to delete a huge percentage of them because they will be blurry all around.

 

+1, what they said.

I'd add going into manual mode too. Before the cars are out on the track, take a photo while in manual mode where you'll be shooting the cars in motion, then review the result and the histogram, adjust exposure setting if needed. What I found was a black car and a silver car would both throw off the light meter and cause over/under exposed shots while in shutter priority mode. If you're in manual mode, remember to periodically check your histogram to ensure you're at the right exposure settings, especially if there is cloud cover.

Add a monopod to your equipment list as they are cheap. You'll see the pros using them for good reason and they make a big difference.

Read carefully what Snid said as it's accurate and important! FWIW, I used 1/125 of a second for cars going 60+ mph by me and I got a better hit rate of photos. They didn't have a ton of motion blur, but the wheels were properly blurred. You can also try starting at 1/160 of a second and work your way down to slower shutter speeds from there after reviewing your photos. 1/30 to 1/60 of a second on a fast moving car is really tough to get a good photo, but if you can get it, it looks amazing.

Look at Jimz68 and Mark S.'s photos in this thread from Monterey last year to see how the experts do this. Is anyone here going to the Monterey Historic races this weekend?

 

You may have seen my first attempts at panning from the Sunrise drive a couple weeks ago (Sunrise Hillclimb). I was using WAY to slow of a shutter for a first time. f/25 1/30 sec just didn't turn out very well, IMO.

Out at Pacific Raceways, a great location is going to be turn 9, I think. It's right at the end of the huge sweeping left hand turn, and standing just to the left of the fence as the cars are entering 9 should be decent. Your 70mm may be TOO close for that location, though.

I'm sure we'll talk out there, too, since I'll be shooting many frames when I'm not on track.

 

I had planned to sit there, at 3/4, and 5/6 if I can get in the infield. The corner on 9 would be really tight with the 70mm. I'd be better off hitting the approach to 8 at 200mm but I think it'd be a bit far away.

We'll see what happens.

Great info. all! Keep it coming.
Todd

 

The discussion on panning is correct. Very old technique.

But also realize there are times when you want motion, it all depends upon the story your trying to tell.

With that lens, don't forget to set it to the correct IS setting. Check the little manual that comes with it, its not the normal IS mode while hand holding a normal shot.

Also, I would never center a car in any shot. ... boring. Remember the rule of thirds.

 

If it's got "Mode 1" and "Mode 2," you want Mode 2, which does NOT stabilize the horizontal direction. Otherwise it'll be trying to undo your panning.

I never say never, but generally I try to use the rule of thirds. And cars look better (again, generally speaking) going INTO the frame, not OUT of it. Of course, I've broken all the above rules just on the pics below. So, what the heck do I know.

I'll take the opportunity to display some track pans I've taken...











I think all these were with an IS 2.8 70-200L lens. Canon 30D.

--Dan
Mach V
FastMINI.net

 

Very nice pics! Your right, Never say never. But in general I was trying to get across you don't want the "Here's grandma in front of the Eiffel Tower" type pics ... amatuerish snapshot where everything is centered.

The panning give that great sensation of speed while letting the car blur also gives the great sensation of speed.

 

Oh yeah. You're familiar with the layout. Forgot that.

Yes, the infield is accessible. Just remember to look left when crossing over the track. If you feel like treking a bit, you can get all the way down to 2, if that's where you want to be. You can probably get some good ones down there, at the exit to 2, from the infield, with the trees blurring in the background.

 

http://www.motoringunderground.com/f...ead.php?t=3521

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/...splay.php?f=90

http://community.automotivephoto.net...isplay.php?f=7

 

HERE is a detailed writeup with some suggestions

 

JT kills!

 

That is excellent advice. Love it.

 

Following up on this thread. My pictures can be found here http://picasaweb.google.com/Sanderskog/ALLMINITrackDay

Lots of lessons learned.

Todd

 

shutter priority is your friend. IS wont even be needed once you get your technique down