Uber sledding

[Julie1]

This is a picture of my kids being pulled behind our old jeep. It was my first time trying to get a blurry background with a focused subject. I didn't think it was too bad for a first try although the kids are a little out of focus. But I really like how there is green in the background and in my son's coat.

This is also my first time posting on this forum - in any thread - but I am looking for constructive critiquing so....have at it!



Taken with a
canon EOS SLR
f16
1/25

[Julie1]

Any criticism would be appreciated....hello....

[Daisie]

I'm not an expert at panning, but I like this one a lot. The composition is interesting, and I like the colors in the blurred background.

The kids could be more in focus, but overall it's a nice shot.

[Chip]

I think you were very close to having a great shot. But you're right about the kids being just a bit too blury.

I've taken some panning shots, but am by no means an expert. It seems to me that either your shutter was a bit too slow or you were moving the camera a bit too fast. With practice, you'll begin to figure it out.

Panning isn't easy, and you came quite close to nailing it.

I agree that the colors work well on this shot.

Sorry that your post went un-responded to for too long. That happens from time to time, unfortunately.

Good work, and welcome.

[zebthepilot]

There are a three "tricks" to panning shots.

1) practice
2) luck
3) take lots of them...

Seriously though, it's a good shot for what it is... with a little sharpening it's pretty good at this small size.

had your shutter speed (1/25) been about twice as fast you would still have the blurred background but the minor movements of the kids wouldn't be as much of a problem. Try it again and take a few each at 1/15 1/30 1/60 and 1/125 to see how the difference between the background and subject movement work for you.

I've yet to meet anyone who was an "expert" at panning shots and could get it right every time. This is where it's nice to be shooting digital.. Back when I was editor of my high school yearbook, I'd spend hours in the darkroom helping the underclassmen develop their *rolls* of panning practice. I love still love and shoot film... but there's nothing like plugging an 8GB SD card into your computer.

Good luck. If you do get a chance to do more practice, stop back by and share!

[Julie1]

now that's what I was looking for ! Thank you! I will take all the advice and maybe even try today or this weekend.

I have been lurking around since before Christmas and have learned a lot from this site. Keep up the good work. and Thanks again!

[swilliams61]

It's a GREAT picture...keep practicing! I practiced panning this past summer. I lurked outside while my husband was on his riding mower.

[mmeyer]

Julie, that is a great capture. I like the composition especially with the sled coming into the frame. The background is very cool. Sure, you could get it a little sharper, and you will with practice, but this is a very good start. Panning is difficult, I can't imagine trying it with film.

[Wooglah]

I've tried panning several times but with no success, but I like this image and colours. Maybe you should crop right side to get children on 1/3 of horisontal space, or even remove car cable in PS so it seems they are running on their own, with no car to pull them... but those are small things, main thing is that you did manage to pull it of and save this memory.

[barabe]

I have yet to try panning, I know it is a dificult shot to get right and practice makes perfect.
Kids look like they are having fun.