Panning and Crop - Motorcycle racing

[subsonic]

Hi all...

I am brand new here and would like any critique you can offer regarding the image below.

This was my first time attempting any panning. Would appreciate specific comments regarding:

- does it work as a panned shot to convey the feeling of motorcycle racing?

- is the background too blurry?

- did I crop too tight; i.e. would more background be better?

- does it seem OK for focus? I really wrestled with autofocus settings and have a lot to learn in that respect.

Things I like are the general feeling and I love the track reflection in the rider's visor.

EXIF data here: Exif | Fast reflections | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

[graciousness]

It's so well defined, this photo, for something that has been panned on a moving object!

But for me, I think it is cropped too tight. It almost seems like the bike is not moving due to the tightness, perhaps. Some more background and track would convey the movement even more, I think.

No, the background is not too blurry. You need that blur to reveal movement.

Or perhaps, a slower shutter speed? It's seems almost the bike is on a standstill (except for the blurred background and the bike on the tilt that suggests movement).

[subsonic]

OK, thanks, much appreciated.

I will revisit the Master and try another crop, see if it livens up the impression of motion. Next time out I will plan to try more manual settings and see how it goes.

These are tough to get right, but a major interest of mine, so feedback is really helpful.

Now I just have to wait for summer...!

[JFSanders]

Needs room on the right. The pan is fine as the background is blurred. You have some blown highlights but not sure if you could help that due to the high noon sun. Looking at your exif suggests that you could have slowed your shutter speed down considerably and or dialed in 1 stop of negative EV.

[sk66]

Originally Posted by subsonic

Hi all...

I am brand new here and would like any critique you can offer regarding the image below.

This was my first time attempting any panning. Would appreciate specific comments regarding:

- does it work as a panned shot to convey the feeling of motorcycle racing?

- is the background too blurry?

- did I crop too tight; i.e. would more background be better?

- does it seem OK for focus? I really wrestled with autofocus settings and have a lot to learn in that respect.

Things I like are the general feeling and I love the track reflection in the rider's visor.

EXIF data here: Exif | Fast reflections | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

1. kind of, see #3
2. No.
3. Way too tight...completely constrained/froze the image
4. Yes, but part of the problem is you are on the wrong side of the light (sometimes you take what you can get)

For autofocus (Nikon) I use AFS-C, 12 pt, short delay for sports/birds. (not all options avail on all models)

[subsonic]

JF and SK, thanks mucho for those critiques - that is a big help for me...

Should have thought more about which side of the light, but as you note, there are limits on where one can move at the track.

Funny enough, I am also hoping to do some birds/wildlife as well, so looking forward to play with those AF modes...

[RichardTaylor]

In addition to the comments above.

Try moving around the track during the day, following the light whilst watching the background so it is "clean".

If you are at the track on a rainy or cloudy day it is great as you can shoot in any direction.

I do a bit of bird photography as well as motor sport and the principals are the same. I set the camera up the same way, except usually I use slower shutter speeds for the motor sport, and I use the same lens and mono pod.
The birds are like the riders/drivers, they never do what you want them to do.

Re panning, you may find this tutorial, on this site, helpful.

Panning: Motor sport

[subsonic]

Awesome, thanks Richard!

I'm really hoping to shoot a race or two in the rain this year - Should be pretty spectacular...

[RichardTaylor]

Thanks.

Originally Posted by subsonic

Awesome, thanks Richard!

I'm really hoping to shoot a race or two in the rain this year - Should be pretty spectacular...

That's my favourite shooting conditions for motor sport. Just make sure you have good rain gear for yourself and your camera.

[subsonic]

Great tutorial, BTW....

#73 bike looks really good, the track space above and in front of the rider is more effective than the crop in my shot, as everyone remarked.