Help - I've Forgotten How To Photograph Cars!!!!

[John Harwood]

I''ve just got a new fast lens and I've been out and about getting used to it. I'd intended to go the Chatsworth Horse Trials but they were cancelled due to water logged ground. So after talking to Ian Yarwood & Stu last Thursday evening I decided to visit Oulton Park for the Aston Martin Owners Club race meet.

I found that the lens handled nicely and I had no trouble tracking the cars as they sped past. It was quite easy to fill the frame with the cars as I panned. However , I have only succeeded in freezing the motion, the cars look static as though we're parked on the track. There isn't the sense of speed, motion or dynamism that I thought I was capturing. ( see the first two images )

I think that I've just automatically used the same shutter / aperture settings as I use when I'm photographing horses, where a wide aperture and high shutter speed are required. ( see the third image )

I think I should have used a slower shutter speed and smaller aperture when panning. Am I right?

Can anyone give me a few pointers please?

John

http://www.flickr.com/photos/harwood-im ... otostream/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/harwood-im ... /lightbox/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/harwood-im ... /lightbox/

[PhilipHowe]

John,

I agree, the first one does look a bit static. I use f8 aperture priority ISO 100 and let the camera decide on the speed as a first test. Then, set the shutter speed to that and adjust to get the desired effect.

I also have is on my lenses, so it helps to keep the subject as sharp as possible.

I don't know what lens you used. They are good photos, nice and crisp, but I see how you didn't get the effect you were after.

You could always fix in post effects, however, in camera is a lot more pleasing.

Decent shots, none the less.

[John Harwood]

Thanks Philip for such a prompt response.

I used to Be good at this but that was in the days of slow lenses and slow film.

I'll take your Advice next time and start off with a smaller aperture. I think I got carried away with shooting the cars and I was concentrating so hard on filling the frame that I forgot to review my images properly until I got home.

Lesson learned.

Cheers
John

[PhilipHowe]

John, don't throw them away though, they are still good images. My comment was only on the technique you wanted to achieve.

[John Harwood]

Thanks Philip
I won't throw them away buy I was hoping for something a bit more like this:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/46985032@N ... /lightbox/

Personally I would have liked it a bit sharper but it really does look dynamic.

Cheers

John

[Stu B]

Hi John.
Looks like your new lens purchase is a good one. The images are sharp and full of detail. I think, in general you answered your own question, and just need another go at it.. Agree with Phil, I usually use an f8 aperture, only differing by also setting the shutter speed to around 1/200 sec and letting the Iso do the work.. You will always freeze the action at 1/4000th sec. A good set of images nevertheless...

[Walter Brooks]

John, the image IMG_7248 looked promising with the front of the car sharp and the front wheel with good blurring effect from motion, what lets it down for me is everything from that front wheel arch backwards, including the windscreen looks artificially blurred - shame really as with good positioning; shutter speed and panning, it could have come out better. There again it may in fact be a straight shot ...
W

[John Harwood]

Stuart
I think you're right, I'll have to find time to give it another go.


Walter
Now you mention it II can see what you mean, I've found another shot from the same day by someone else that looks more natural.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/hipwellpho ... /lightbox/

Cheers John

[John Harwood]

Eureka

Just reviewed my images from last week and I found these:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/harwood-im ... hotostream

http://www.flickr.com/photos/harwood-im ... otostream/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/harwood-im ... otostream/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/harwood-im ... otostream/

I remembered thinking about changing the shutter speed for a few shots and went back to look for them. I think I changed to a faster shutter speed when taking some almost head on shots.

John