Photo help needed (bike content)

gordon · Post by **gordon** » Wed May 23, 2007 10:11 am

Hello. I've tried finding a photography forum to post this on but they all seem crap so i remembered a few guys on here were pretty handy with photography, photoshop etc.

Been out on the bike trying to get some acton shots before i throw it into the scenery, and have been struggling. There is a long 70-80mph left hand sweeper near me where you can carry loads of speed and lean angle and get everything decked out. Tried to get a mate to sit on the inside to catch it but keep gettin a black blur when i go by. I had the camera set to sport spectator mode which is supposed to be for quick capture.

Also tried to get a few wheelie shots, but they came out blurry too. i'll post a few up in a couple of mins.
Is there any way i can tidy the blurry shots up a bit with a photoshop program or something. Not keen on going out and doing this alot infront of the camera as it attracts a bit of attention, and i get a bit nervous "doing it for the camera" and if i'm gonna flip it i really dont want a camera there

, so would like the clean up the shots i have if poss??

I've got good action shot of the Elise and the Caterham, so just wanted some of the bike too to show the grandkids.

Rich H · Post by **Rich H** » Wed May 23, 2007 10:16 am

No idea about Photography, but welcome back!

gordon · Post by **gordon** » Wed May 23, 2007 10:19 am

Any ideas????

Photo's were taken with a wee Nikon 4600

Rag_It · Post by **Rag_It** » Wed May 23, 2007 10:20 am

Gordon,

Good to see yo uback on here, i have a camera but not handy enough to dish out advice yet!

Here is an idea, you could tell us when you 'might' be going past a certain place at a certain time, we could hide in the bushes with our pap lenses and secretly capture you up to your tricks!!

Dave

P.S Seriously though someone will offer you advice!

gordon · Post by **gordon** » Wed May 23, 2007 10:25 am

RICHARDHUMBLE wrote:No idea about Photography, but welcome back!

Not returned yet

, just need some help coz i was hoping to get some of the shots printed.

Actually saw a group of Elises headin up the towards Dukes pass last night, along with TVR ,Caterham etc. I was in the van. Dunno who the guys were but they were on my side of the road cutting a right hander a bit and it looked like the guy got a bit of a shock when he saw a big ass yellow van coming towards him.

Rich H · Post by **Rich H** » Wed May 23, 2007 10:27 am

Remember:
Scottish Elises - You don't have to be Scottish and you don't have to have an Elise!

MacK · Post by **MacK** » Wed May 23, 2007 10:31 am

I'm no photography expert, but it looks like the photographer isn't panning with the moving bike.

You need to get the bike in the frame and follow it still in sight and take take the photo and keep following the bike in the shot, that 'should' mean the bike is in focus and the background is blurred.

A fast shutter speed, close focal distance (assuming the bike is close) and spot metering.

HTH

fd · Post by fd » Wed May 23, 2007 10:45 am

Whoever took the pic obviously just pressed the shutter hoping for the best

. . . they didn't track the bike (panning) and hence the background is slightly less blurred than the bike, but it all looks out of focus and motion blurred and it looks like the shutter speed was way too low in any case or certainly for their ability . . . in short . . . if you want some decent pics . . . get someone who knows one end of a camera from the other

. . . (i know - you have to learn somehow so good on him for at least trying !)

What about taking the bike up the dukes pass and letting someone who does know how to use a camera take some pics for you . . . I'm sure you have my email address, I'll be very close to the pass on Thursday evening prepping the caterham for the weekend at Kames, I can easily take the camera gear along . . .

Fd

thinfourth · Post by **thinfourth** » Wed May 23, 2007 10:51 am

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.

Dominic · Post by **Dominic** » Wed May 23, 2007 11:16 am

fd wrote:Whoever took the pic obviously just pressed the shutter hoping for the best . . . they didn't track the bike (panning) and hence the background is slightly less blurred than the bike, but it all looks out of focus and motion blurred and it looks like the shutter speed was way too low in any case or certainly for their ability . . . in short . . . if you want some decent pics . . . get someone who knows one end of a camera from the other . . . (i know - you have to learn somehow so good on him for at least trying !)

What about taking the bike up the dukes pass and letting someone who does know how to use a camera take some pics for you . . . I'm sure you have my email address, I'll be very close to the pass on Thursday evening prepping the caterham for the weekend at Kames, I can easily take the camera gear along . . .

Fd

Having seen some of FD's photography, I would suggest that is an offer not to be missed

..... there may even be a lardy golf putting in an appearence

gordon · Post by **gordon** » Wed May 23, 2007 11:26 am

fd wrote: What about taking the bike up the dukes pass and letting someone who does know how to use a camera take some pics for you . . . I'm sure you have my email address, I'll be very close to the pass on Thursday evening prepping the caterham for the weekend at Kames, I can easily take the camera gear along . . .

Fd

Thats awesome Fd. I've still got your number in my phone and should have your e mail addy on some past mail.
Only problem is i'm on lates this week so dont finish till after 10. (Makes a change from all the 2-3am finishes, blame the RAC and Vinny jones for that farce.

)

I know your a busy man, so i'll get in touch and we can possibly arrange something for another time.

I'll try and find a decent sweeper up there 1st. It will touch down a bit at the hairpins but that is pretty risky as you basicly just flopping it on it's side and really loading the front, thats how most guys lose the front. The Dukes pass is really hilly so on the faster stuff it's bucking about and getting some tank slappers over the brows if you've got a bit of lean on. I'll find something though.

As for the wheelies i'm sure that the slower i go the easier it will be so could just crack it up high in 1st, 15-30mph, then put it down. It's not really got enough power to clutch up that great in 2nd, so i have to stand up, bounce the forks, and basicly drag the bars up to me, but them it's up at about 40-50mph, and i'm not the best at wheelies yet so it gets a bit shoogly

.

fd · Post by fd » Wed May 23, 2007 12:14 pm

You don't need to hold your wheelie for long . . . probably only 1/60th of a second . . . after that you can fall off/wobble/shoogle/etc 'cos we'll already have the picture

(seriously tho' - it has to be safe and that bit is up to you

)

I'm sure we can work something out w.r.t meeting up times . . . email addy is fergusatziplockkdotcom.

Always liked this pic of you in your caterham . . . exhaust dragging along the ground, nice heat haze, tyres rolling off the rims, biker leaning head . . .

Fd

gordon · Post by **gordon** » Wed May 23, 2007 12:42 pm

Cheers Fd, i'll be in touch.

Ideally this is what i'm aiming for....

Post by **simon** » Wed May 23, 2007 12:49 pm

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

GregR · Post by **GregR** » Wed May 23, 2007 12:54 pm

good to see you're still about Gordon - keep giving a proper gaze into AA vans incase its you driving

You going to pop along to KH for the TT track part? I know you miss the 1 handed appraoches to Duffus..