Panning - Historic Racing

[matt-chops]

Below is a selection of panning shots I took much earlier in the year at a 'Test Train & Tune' Day put on by The Historic Racing Car Club (Qld) at Morgan Park Raceway in Warwick. I haven't really received much feedback on my motor sport shots so I thought I might put a few selections together starting with these. Comments and critique is most welcomed.

Austin A40


Ford Anglia


Ford Escort Mk I


Ford Mustang 1967

[PiroStitch]

Well done mate. Was this your first go at panning? Looks like you've got the technique down pat!

[ozimax]

Now there's some real cars...nice shots too.

[Raskill]

MAte, these are good. WHat setup you using?

Your DOF is very good, blurring the background, but not any of the vehicle. I gather it was overcast on the day? I think maybe add a bit of brightness, but your contrast and saturation levels are really good, with your blacks very nice.

I would be tempted to crop number 2 a bit tighter, to get rid of the tyres in the bottom left corner, the are a distraction and add little, if anything, to the image. You get enough sensation of speed from your panning technique already.

Your images are also nice and sharp. What is your keeper rate like?

Look forward to seeing more images. Keep at it, always room on the site for more motorsport images!!!

[matt-chops]

Well done mate. Was this your first go at panning? Looks like you've got the technique down pat!

That particular day was my first attempt at panning. I've had a few other opportunities since, so I might post up a few more small collections of shots.

MAte, these are good. WHat setup you using?

Your DOF is very good, blurring the background, but not any of the vehicle. I gather it was overcast on the day? I think maybe add a bit of brightness, but your contrast and saturation levels are really good, with your blacks very nice.

I would be tempted to crop number 2 a bit tighter, to get rid of the tyres in the bottom left corner, the are a distraction and add little, if anything, to the image. You get enough sensation of speed from your panning technique already.

Your images are also nice and sharp. What is your keeper rate like?

Look forward to seeing more images. Keep at it, always room on the site for more motorsport images!!!

The setup I am using is a Canon 400D, 75-300mm f/4.5-5.6 (kit lens) and Manfrotto 681B monopod (brilliant monopod... its tall enough for me at 6'3). At that stage I didn't have any filters or a lens hood, so very sunny days could be a bit of a nightmare, but I've sorted that now. Also picked up a battery grip which is great!

That day was a little overcast. I love it when its like that... evens the light out and I don't tend to burn as much either.

On that day, being my first real attempt at panning my keeper rate was probably 1 in 30 or so as I was experimenting a lot, but since then I know what works, so I usually get at least 1 in 10 really crisp, portfolio quality, shots and at least half of the shots are presentable and very usable. The monopod really helps to keep the camera steady and my arms fatigue free.

I agree with you on #2... a tighter crop would benefit that shot greatly. I don't know why I didn't do that in the first place.


Thanks for the comments on the images. Its always hard not to be too critical or sometimes not critical enough of your own work, so this really helps. Thanks guys.

[Raskill]

Mate, given the lens you are using, you'll probably find your keeper rate will increase if you try to pan without a monopod. The monopod will be mounted under the camera, making it more difficult to pan, as you are panning around the camera, instead of the lens.

I hand hold a 300mm F/2.8 and find my keeper rate is about 80%. Because of where the monopod mounts to this lens, when i use it, my keeper rate improves and it allows me to use slightly lower shutter speeds.

[matt-chops]

Raskill, that's an excellent point. I had considered the physics of the camera rotation axis when doing panoramic shots, but never really applied them to motorsport. You might just be on to something there (more justification for me to purchase another lens ). Do you do motorsport photography on a professional basis?

[Raskill]

I wouldn't call myself 'pro', but I cover a few motorsport events and get payed on occasions. I try to get to as much as possible anyways, and have recently got CAMS accreditation (like a few others in here.....).

Ideally the monopod should mount under the lens, at a point that generally balances your camera and lens. You'll notice most longer zooms (50-500, 70-200, 200-400, 120-300) will all have good monopod mounts.

It's easier (and smoother) to rotate the lens from left to right, than trying to turn the camera itself. If you watch some 'pros' they will actually pan the camera without keeping their eye to the view finder.

If you are interested in motorsport photography I wrote this:

motorsport photography guide.

A few others have added some great comments, so theres some food for thought there.

Happy shooting!

[matt-chops]

Mate, that was one of the first topics I read when I joined this forum. Very informative and well written.

I have one last question for you... What process did you go though to obtain your CAMS accreditation? I noticed that on your portfolio website you have a folder titled 'CAMS Application' so I'm assuming a photographic submission is a part of the application process, so are there any tips (aside from taking good photos) that you could pass on to me? I know it won't happen over night, or without substantial hard work, but hopefully some time in the next 2 years or so, I think this could be an attainable goal for me. Most of what I photograph is Historic Motor Sport, and in places like Warwick, where its a little more remote, and I have noticed it doesn't receive a lot of coverage, so just maybe I have my own little niche in a way. It's not my intention to make this my form of income, I have a nice cushy graphic design job for that, but I'd really like to make a few dollars to pay for some of my equipment so I can keep enjoying taking photos of Historic Race Cars.

Thanks again for all your feedback and guidance. It's very greatly appreciated.

[bwhinnen]

-snip-

It's easier (and smoother) to rotate the lens from left to right, than trying to turn the camera itself. If you watch some 'pros' they will actually pan the camera without keeping their eye to the view finder.

-snip-

One thing I have found with panning with a monopod is to have your other hand (left for me as I am right handed and right eye dominant) resting on the lens hood or there abouts. This helps to stabilise and get a nice smooth motion for me in panning.

These are really good panning examples, and well exposed, lucky it was a nice overcast day out at Morgan Park as it is horrid when there are no clouds out there!

I think if you had the timing right that Mustang would be picking up the inside tyre on the last turn every time

Cheers,
Brett

[Raskill]

I actually hold onto the end of the lens hood, with my finger INSIDE the opening. It doesnt show up on images and really helps stabilise the lens.

What process did you go though to obtain your CAMS accreditation? I noticed that on your portfolio website you have a folder titled 'CAMS Application' so I'm assuming a photographic submission is a part of the application process, so are there any tips (aside from taking good photos) that you could pass on to me?

CAMS does require several things. You need to show then examples of your published work, but it need not be V8's, it can be any CAMS oversighted event, basically any motorsport event in this country. You have to also provide references from editors, event orgainsers etc saying what a good bloke you are and how good your images are. I guess the better the event/publication, the better for you.

Of course, like you said, you also have to provide images that you have taken (within the past 5 years). The images should be more than just pannign shots, they should show a bit of artistic flair. They like to see more than just cars (apparently) with some of the 'hype' shots included also.

Good you've found a niche, now expand on that. If you are happy with your images, start finding magazines to use them, selling them to drivers etc. I would invest in some better glass. Maybe a 70 - 200 Sigma, easily found for around the $600 - $700 mark second hand would be a good start.

[matt-chops]

Mate, thanks for all your help and advice. It's been really encouraging. I guess the next thing to do is get out there and keep on shooting.

As far as lenses go, I think I'm just going to go all out and pick myself up a Canon 70-200mm f/2.8 IS USM as well as a 24-70mm f/2.8 in the not too distant future. I tend not to do things by halves. The way I see it, if I just spend the money on what I really want I'm not wasting any on something simply to fill the gap. All or nothing... or just all.

I'm working on putting together a portfolio site so I can display all my images, its just hard to find the motivation for your own work sometimes when all you do all day is design sites. This has given me a bit of a re-fuel on that front though, so I'm might pull my finger out and just get it done!

In the meantime, how's this one for a little 'artistic'? A little badge rivalry never hurt anyone.