Photo Techniques - Page 17 - Drifting forum

LufbraAaron · 13-05-2008, 00:24

at 20ft, thats about 6metres so the force due to due moments about the pivot would be about 120N which is 12kg if camera is 2kg

Paddy · 13-05-2008, 00:33

Thank you Mr. Aaron !

@Devilstower, the answer is in the image

DevilsTower · 13-05-2008, 00:41

Oh my, I feel stupid. Never mind though, I actually stumbled upon it when I googled it one last time

Paddy · 13-05-2008, 00:47

I should have it before the week is out so will be sure to share what results I get when it's attached to the Fiesta Zetec-S of doom over the weekend.

AndyC · 15-05-2008, 21:32

Hi all,

I wanted some specific advice on my panning technique, focussing in particular.

Now, I have a 'bridge' camera (Fuji S9600) at the moment until I start taking pics that make me feel like an upgrade to a DSLR is justified. What I wanted to query about my technique is this.

What I do is to pre focus on a section of the track and hold the shutter release halfway until a car comes by then follow it and release the shutter. This seems to work most of the time but sometimes I will only get part of the car in focus nicely and say maybe the rear end will be out of focus.

I recently invested in a sturdy monopod which has helped to a degree but I still feel that something is lacking in my camera setup or technique. For example I can get nice shots at 1/160 1/120 1/100 but seem to hit my 'talent barrier' at 1/80 thing is that I have seen similar pics by togs (yeah, that's you Ross) who go to the same events as me as low as 1/40 and they have the car pin sharp!

Any ideas and advice would be greatly appreciated!

Andy

MikeeB · 15-05-2008, 21:54

Are you using burst mode Andy? If you follow the car with burst mode you'll get more waste shots sure but you're more likely to get that one picture that looks awesome

Panning is all about practice, practice, practice. Check your stance as well before shooting and you'll be taking shots at 1/60 and 1/40 in no time. As regards the monopod, some people find they help some find they are restrictive. Its entirely up to you but try shooting with and without the monopod.

Bolf · 15-05-2008, 21:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paddy

I should have it before the week is out so will be sure to share what results I get when it's attached to the Fiesta Zetec-S of doom over the weekend.

haha , thats funny. I tested my rig out on a fiesta too...

ringer · 16-05-2008, 10:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paddy

First port of call will be to probably dump the telescopic pole for single pieces that can be joined together, think I may need a 'magic arm' aswell but we'll wait and see

I've got one of these for my video rig - Havn't found a performance car I can actually fit it too yet

Tried it on a Lambo LP640 and I couldn't get both pads to stick and support, tried to do a rolling shot with a Cooper Climax and it's too curvy - tried to bend the fibreglass of a Z-Cars mini... agh.

I do have a bastard heavy camera though.

Paddy · 17-05-2008, 18:44

Seems to work fine, just a quick test, identified some problems but are easy fixes

DevilsTower · 18-05-2008, 14:59

Nice one, Paddy! So you're happy with it?

AndyC · 18-05-2008, 20:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeeB

Are you using burst mode Andy? If you follow the car with burst mode you'll get more waste shots sure but you're more likely to get that one picture that looks awesome

Panning is all about practice, practice, practice. Check your stance as well before shooting and you'll be taking shots at 1/60 and 1/40 in no time. As regards the monopod, some people find they help some find they are restrictive. Its entirely up to you but try shooting with and without the monopod.

Nah, not using burst mode as it is too slow on my cam.

I know what you mean about practice, but what I wanted to know was if my thing about focussing was correct?

Paddy · 18-05-2008, 21:30

Your doing everything fine Andy, it's a phenomenon known as Turning Focal plane, which for the sake of my own health I'm not going into but here's a diagram that explains it ...

Basically anything that isn't on the focal plane will be out of focus unless you use a massive fast shutter ...

Ade B · 18-05-2008, 23:22

Some real nice pix in this thread....

Thought I'd just add a few from Jeek's Fast Ford shoot.....

Some regular panning shots, and others a bit more hairy as they were done tracking style out a door of another car

Recently shot another drift car where I took this idea a bit further with me haning out the boot of the camera car, can't post them though as still to be published.

I see rigs being discussed too, here's an example of mine....
4 metre extension to reduce distortion and provide a lot of copyspace

Oh yeah, and here's a random tyre popping pic that I like too

DevilsTower · 19-05-2008, 02:17

I've used the boot-technique too, works a treat! A tad scary when you hit speeds exceeding 60mph when there is nothing stopping you from hitting the asphalt with your head hanging a foot over the ground!

Paddy · 19-05-2008, 12:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ade B

I see rigs being discussed too, here's an example of mine....
4 metre extension to reduce distortion and provide a lot of copyspace

Thats what I'm aiming for, going to the fabricators during the week to get the poles made up. I assume you use something to tie it to the car to keep it from swaying ?

MikeeB · 19-05-2008, 12:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by AndyC

Nah, not using burst mode as it is too slow on my cam.

I know what you mean about practice, but what I wanted to know was if my thing about focussing was correct?

Yeah your focusing technique is correct, just set AF to AF-C and it will constantly focus with the panning and movement of the car

Just read what Paddy put about the focal plane and it should explain why sometimes parts aren't properly focused.

Awesome rig pictures btw! I love how creamy smooth the motion blur is.

AndyC · 19-05-2008, 14:10

Thanks Paddy / MikeeB for the advice! Good to know I am doing it right, just need to do it better now!

Ade B · 20-05-2008, 00:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paddy

Thats what I'm aiming for, going to the fabricators during the week to get the poles made up. I assume you use something to tie it to the car to keep it from swaying ?

Cheers!

No don't tie anything to the car.... the rig has a tensioning wire sytem on top though, hidden from the lens usually as well. Sometimes use a third suction mount for unusual angles and bumpier terrian though.

Paddy · 20-05-2008, 01:01

Is that a hybrid of the automotive rigs one ?

It's seriously cool !

Ade B · 20-05-2008, 09:17

Nah, it's mostly all custom apart from a small amount of parts from a B Haugue one I use sometimes too (which uses modded Manfrotto suction cups)

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13-05-2008, 00:24	#321 (permalink)
LufbraAaron tail slider Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Leamington Spa/Loughborough Posts: 140	at 20ft, thats about 6metres so the force due to due moments about the pivot would be about 120N which is 12kg if camera is 2kg

13-05-2008, 00:33	#322 (permalink)
Paddy ProdriftSeries Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Waterford, Ireland Posts: 1,107	Thank you Mr. Aaron ! @Devilstower, the answer is in the image

13-05-2008, 00:41	#323 (permalink)
DevilsTower touge runner Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Norway ftw Posts: 213	Oh my, I feel stupid. Never mind though, I actually stumbled upon it when I googled it one last time

13-05-2008, 00:47	#324 (permalink)
Paddy ProdriftSeries Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Waterford, Ireland Posts: 1,107	I should have it before the week is out so will be sure to share what results I get when it's attached to the Fiesta Zetec-S of doom over the weekend.

15-05-2008, 21:32	#325 (permalink)
AndyC Drowned Rat Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: On a Clipping Point near you... Goading you for a better pic! Posts: 407	Hi all, I wanted some specific advice on my panning technique, focussing in particular. Now, I have a 'bridge' camera (Fuji S9600) at the moment until I start taking pics that make me feel like an upgrade to a DSLR is justified. What I wanted to query about my technique is this. What I do is to pre focus on a section of the track and hold the shutter release halfway until a car comes by then follow it and release the shutter. This seems to work most of the time but sometimes I will only get part of the car in focus nicely and say maybe the rear end will be out of focus. I recently invested in a sturdy monopod which has helped to a degree but I still feel that something is lacking in my camera setup or technique. For example I can get nice shots at 1/160 1/120 1/100 but seem to hit my 'talent barrier' at 1/80 thing is that I have seen similar pics by togs (yeah, that's you Ross) who go to the same events as me as low as 1/40 and they have the car pin sharp! Any ideas and advice would be greatly appreciated! Andy

15-05-2008, 21:54	#326 (permalink)
MikeeB doughnutter Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Leicester/Swansea Posts: 45	Are you using burst mode Andy? If you follow the car with burst mode you'll get more waste shots sure but you're more likely to get that one picture that looks awesome Panning is all about practice, practice, practice. Check your stance as well before shooting and you'll be taking shots at 1/60 and 1/40 in no time. As regards the monopod, some people find they help some find they are restrictive. Its entirely up to you but try shooting with and without the monopod.

17-05-2008, 18:44	#329 (permalink)
Paddy ProdriftSeries Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Waterford, Ireland Posts: 1,107	Seems to work fine, just a quick test, identified some problems but are easy fixes

18-05-2008, 14:59	#330 (permalink)
DevilsTower touge runner Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Norway ftw Posts: 213	Nice one, Paddy! So you're happy with it?

18-05-2008, 21:30	#332 (permalink)
Paddy ProdriftSeries Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Waterford, Ireland Posts: 1,107	Your doing everything fine Andy, it's a phenomenon known as Turning Focal plane, which for the sake of my own health I'm not going into but here's a diagram that explains it ... Basically anything that isn't on the focal plane will be out of focus unless you use a massive fast shutter ...

18-05-2008, 23:22	#333 (permalink)
Ade B gripper Join Date: May 2008 Location: Glasgow Posts: 12	Some real nice pix in this thread.... Thought I'd just add a few from Jeek's Fast Ford shoot..... Some regular panning shots, and others a bit more hairy as they were done tracking style out a door of another car Recently shot another drift car where I took this idea a bit further with me haning out the boot of the camera car, can't post them though as still to be published. I see rigs being discussed too, here's an example of mine.... 4 metre extension to reduce distortion and provide a lot of copyspace Oh yeah, and here's a random tyre popping pic that I like too

19-05-2008, 02:17	#334 (permalink)
DevilsTower touge runner Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Norway ftw Posts: 213	I've used the boot-technique too, works a treat! A tad scary when you hit speeds exceeding 60mph when there is nothing stopping you from hitting the asphalt with your head hanging a foot over the ground!

19-05-2008, 14:10	#337 (permalink)
AndyC Drowned Rat Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: On a Clipping Point near you... Goading you for a better pic! Posts: 407	Thanks Paddy / MikeeB for the advice! Good to know I am doing it right, just need to do it better now!

20-05-2008, 01:01	#339 (permalink)
Paddy ProdriftSeries Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Waterford, Ireland Posts: 1,107	Is that a hybrid of the automotive rigs one ? It's seriously cool !

20-05-2008, 09:17	#340 (permalink)
Ade B gripper Join Date: May 2008 Location: Glasgow Posts: 12	Nah, it's mostly all custom apart from a small amount of parts from a B Haugue one I use sometimes too (which uses modded Manfrotto suction cups)