Photo help needed (bike content)

jason · Post by **jason** » Wed May 23, 2007 12:56 pm

thinfourth wrote:On top of fergus it looks like you might not have enough light as the background looks "noisy" so maybe the camera is trying to ramp up the ISO to get better shutter speed

Try it when there is more light and start off slow so you mate can learn to pan.

According to the EXIF it's f2.9 1/88s @ ISO 200, so the shutter speed could be a little faster to help panning (say 1/180s @ ISO 400) when learning.

If you have another play with your mate shooting using the compact (rather than the full gravy of an Fd or other's shots

) try to find somewhere he can stand a bit further back - which will make the panning a LOT easier and keep the subject equidistant from the lens throughout the shot. Also, pre-focus/meter on a patch of tarmac where you'll actually take the shot during the panning (and lock it by keeping the shutter button half-way pressed), or the pic won't be in focus with a compact. Then, lastly, allow for the exposure delay in compact digi cameras - as you pan with the bike in frame.

Oh... and I wouldn't even bother trying a head-on shot with a compact. Nice pic of that bike leaning

Reasonable panning shots *can* be achieved with compacts - eg. I took this at the 'Ring last summer with an IXUS (1/400s so a bit too fast a shutter) - but your best pic's gonna be a full gravy by Fd or A.N.Other with the kit and skills

:

fd · Post by fd » Wed May 23, 2007 3:21 pm

While you can do nice panning with a wide angle lens (this one with a 10.5mm fisheye)

As Jason says it's much easier with a nice long lens 50 metres away from the subject

You could do it all with a wee compact in manual probably but shutter delay will make it 'challenging' . . .

As for the head on shot . . . easy . . . but you'll need a nice bright day . . . and perhaps an ambulance

Fd

GregR · Post by **GregR** » Wed May 23, 2007 4:08 pm

is mckeann on the 'phone in that pic?!

SteveBanks · Post by **SteveBanks** » Wed May 23, 2007 6:52 pm

Get a bit of 2x2, cut to length, balance the bike at the right angle and then adopt the above pose. Then photoshop out the bit of wood and voila! Impress all your mates without fear of breaking any bones or wiping out the photographer!

k12chu · Post by **k12chu** » Wed May 23, 2007 9:16 pm

simon wrote:I'd be using a loooooong lens to take a shot of you like that

i was thinking more on the lines of acquiring pilot license

graeme · Post by **graeme** » Thu May 24, 2007 10:32 am

Practice practice practice. There's no way a mate with a pocket camera can acheive the results you want. You need a pro!

There's a lot of hard work and time goes into learning this stuff. (I'm trying, so I know!). Processing digital images after they're taken can take time too, depending what needs done. People make a living from selling images of a lower standard than Fd's so don't underestimate the value of his offer! I've paid for CD's of images at trackdays which can't hold a candle to Fd's work. I'm hoping I have the good fortune to drive by his mighty lens one day...

fd · Post by fd » Thu May 24, 2007 5:28 pm

graeme wrote:Practice practice practice. There's no way a mate with a pocket camera can acheive the results you want. You need a pro!

There's a lot of hard work and time goes into learning this stuff. (I'm trying, so I know!). Processing digital images after they're taken can take time too, depending what needs done. People make a living from selling images of a lower standard than Fd's so don't underestimate the value of his offer! I've paid for CD's of images at trackdays which can't hold a candle to Fd's work. I'm hoping I have the good fortune to drive by his mighty lens one day...)

Hmmm, yup - practice really is the thing, I'm just a trackside amateur with a clever camera but I will say that having press access to tracks makes their life much easier - they can take pictures that you simply cannot without closer access to the track . . . I just let a clever camera get on with it and don't worry too much about things as it's not my living . . .

You can achieve good results with a compact, but it needs to be in manual for this kind of stuff IMHO . . . would be a good wee challenge to see what is possible . . . but I don't have a compact cam so can't try it myself . . .

Fd

graeme · Post by **graeme** » Thu May 24, 2007 5:50 pm

fd wrote:I'm just a trackside amateur with a clever camera

That may be true, but you're bloody good!

Skyenet · Post by **Skyenet** » Thu May 24, 2007 11:26 pm

I only have a compact camera and have managed to get some nice panning shots but not only is it due to panning but also down to exposure time which is not something I have control over as its auto exposure. I used to do some bike photography years ago with film SLRS and you certainly need to practice as many shots were worthless. Using digital cameras allows you to take loads of photos to experiment with the correct panning technique and getting the exposures right.

Would love to get some nice action shots of my bike and the Dukes Pass would be a great location. Would really appreciate if FD could manage tto get some time to try some shots out.

Was up there last week.

http://www.scottishelises.com/phpbb/vie ... 5259#95259

Managed to get my Archos setup and did a wee test clip on the bike last night. Will need to get a video of the Dukes Pass run to go with the Elise video material I have from Dukes Pass runs.

http://idisk.mac.com/Skyeweb-Public/R1200GSBend.mov