Panning Technique

[pavman]

Panning Technique: C & C Welcome Thank you

Camera Canon 40D Lens EF70-200 F2.8 L USM
TV 1/90
AV F13
Focal Length: 160mm
Shot RAW Processed in PS Lightroom

[derek773]

You seem to have cracked it, nice shot!

[pavman]

Thanks Derek
this is an earlier attempt at capture fast moving cars:
TV 1/500 and AV F4.5



and two motorbikes:

[derek773]

The middle bike shot is nice, it can be tricky as a spectator to get into the best position for the best light.

[pavman]

Yes I agree Motorbikes taken at Thruxton. I would love to shoot the cars and bikes from a lower level as well. One of the best places to shoot is at Brands Hatch ( Druids corner) as there is an area inside the corner to shoot from, safety fence is only about 4 foot high

here's one taken at Druids:

[derek773]

Its a nice shot, but I think I'd like to see a tighter crop.

[BenBirchall]

Good panning technique. You really need to get into a position where the action is coming towards you as action going away really doesn't work. Really study the track and do your homework. Like I say, faultless panning technique!

Ben

[james crawford photography]

The yellow car shows good panning technique but the racing car appears a little static (like it's just parked stationary on the track.) The answer seems to be in the shutter speeds you've quoted - 1/90th for the yellow car and 1/500th for the racing car. To get the best result with long lens, hand-held shots like this, I'd personally work at 1/160. This provides the tell-tale movement in the car's wheels and streaks the background sufficiently but allows for pin sharp rendition of the car's body.

I have a few examples on my website - Go to the "Latest News" page and see the "Knockhill Racing" article

http://www.jamescrawfordphotography.com

Good luck - definitely on the right lines here.

[pavman]

Thanks James Had look at your site great images
I should have stated that the 1/500 image was taken when I first started taking images of racing cars/bikes, with feedback and attending as many races as I can (nd trying not to neglect the family!!LOL) to improve my technique which I believe I am getting there and now need to work on composition, angles etc, The amateur togger at motor sport events do not always have the best vantage points and having to overcome catch fencing, not ideal but I love racing as well as photography so "killing two birds with one stone" I attend events at Thruxton, Brands Hatch and Silverstone Thank Peter

[sdo01]

Great panning I love the shot of the 2 bikes side by side, nice DOF to get both bikes sharp