New To Forum
Oct 20, 2011 10:39:54 #
I was very excited to come across this forum. I would like to be able to get feedback and information to improve my photography skills and pick your brains. :) I'm a race track photographer using a Sony A700 shooting with the sports setting and panning. My objective is to get a photo of the winning horse as close to the finish line as possible. I have to shoot from one spot and in varying weather conditions from bright sunlight to cloudy and rainy conditions. Attached are a few samples for comment. Any suggestions as to any manual settings would be appreciated. Right now any adjustments are made in photoshop.
Oct 20, 2011 11:12:42 #
I can't really say much about the settings, except to say that when panning, you probably shouldn't be using your "sports" setting. That will give you a very fast shutter speed and so the background will not be blurred.
Panning technique is to keep pace with the subject on a relatively slow shutter speed, say 1/125 or 1/250, This should freeze most of the subjects action but the background will have "motion blur"..
Now, horse limbs move pretty fast, so you may get hooves and legs that still blur slightly...
I'd be firing that camera as fast as the motor drive would let me too, if I wanted a nose just crossing the line... :thumbup:
Panning technique is to keep pace with the subject on a relatively slow shutter speed, say 1/125 or 1/250, This should freeze most of the subjects action but the background will have "motion blur"..
Now, horse limbs move pretty fast, so you may get hooves and legs that still blur slightly...
I'd be firing that camera as fast as the motor drive would let me too, if I wanted a nose just crossing the line... :thumbup:
Oct 20, 2011 11:38:13 #
Thank you for your input....I plan on doing some experimenting, but can't necessarily do it on the job.
Oct 21, 2011 16:43:32 #
nikondaddy
Loc: Mayfield,Kentucky
You doing ok if this the camera doing the trick. You can in your off time shoots basede exposures and shutter speed combinations tll you see what you lke best. This what a photo finish looks liuke in your shots. just keep them people happy and considered your self blessed and don,t bet on the horses.
Oct 21, 2011 18:17:10 #
I only rarely bet the horses, I like photographing them instead. I'm definitely going to be pushing the equipment to see what I can do with it on the off season. Thanks.
Oct 21, 2011 22:52:07 #
Hi Trackphotog, I shoot a lot of professional and amateur equestrian events. Primarily professional GP. I use a Nikon D3 with a Nikkor 200x400 VRllSuper Telephoto set on shutter priority 1/500 @ 10fps. My tripod is setup with a stabilizer and the artificial horizon in the D3 so I can pan to several angles without much adjustment. Here are a few examples un-edited. Check them out on full screen if you can. CJ7
Oct 22, 2011 11:36:45 #
Nice! I don't have the luxury of using a tripod, I need to take multiple shots panning to make sure I get the winning horse at the wire. But I'll take any critiques and/or suggestions. Thanks!
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.