Many of the best motorsports photos have one thing in common: a real feeling of speed. Fast shutter speeds will freeze moments of action, and highoctane car and bike racing are perfect subjects for this treatment.
At 1/3200 sec you can capture a crisp shot of a motorbike zooming round a circuit; however, you’ll also freeze the background and wheels, removing any indication of motion, and for all the viewer can tell, your subject could be parked on the track. To retain that sense of motion you need to shoot at a much slower shutter speed, but the problem here is that this will blur the entire subject.
The answer is to sight and track your subject through the viewfinder, match its speed while engaging continuous focus, and press the shutter when everything is perfectly framed. This technique is called panning – do it in one fluid movement and you’ll capture spinning wheels and a tack-sharp subject surrounded by smooth lines of motion blur.
Faster subjects and slower shutter speeds result in more motion, but it becomes harder to keep the subject sharp. 1/320 sec is a good middle ground that provides decent motion blur and a high hit rate of sharp subjects, but feel free to shoot at faster shutter speeds to begin with. So read on and get panning: you’ll be shooting super-slick shots of speeding bikes and cars in no time at all!
1 USE A LONG LENS
A lens with a large zoom range is preferred – the Nikon AF-S 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6 we’re using is an ideal choice. It boasts plenty of reach for when you’re positioned far from the track, but is still suitable if you can get a little bit closer to the action. If you can get fairly close to the track then a 70-200mm lens will be sufficient.
This story is from the May 11, 2023 edition of Photography week.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the May 11, 2023 edition of Photography week.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
CANON RF 24-105MM F/2.8L IS USM Z
A standard lens is reborn
MASTER DODGING AND BURNING
James Paterson shows you how to use these essential tools for old-school darkroom-style image enhancements
TRACKSIDE TIPS AND TRICKS
Chris Nevard explains how you can capture photorealistic images of model railways on a budget
THESE FOOD PHOTOS WILL MAKE YOUR MOUTH WATER
Pink Lady Food Photographer of the Year announces shortlist for 2024 contest
30 TIPS FOR SHOOTING SUPER SHOTS THIS SPRING
Pro photographer Simon Roy reveals his key techniques
AKASO LAUNCHES AFFORDABLE BRAVE 8 LITE ACTION CAMERA
Budget model arrives with new features include HDR and Hindsight modes
VILTROX AF 27MM F1.2 PRO
A 'pro' lens with a consumer price tag
HOW TO...MASTER SHADOWS AND HIGHLIGHTS
This powerful tool has more to it than meets the eye, and it's ideal for landscapes
PATCHWORK PORTRAITS
Mike Harris uses the Brenizer method to shoot and edit a bokeh panorama with a super-shallow depth of field
PHOTO CONTEST CELEBRATES BRITAIN'S NATURAL WONDERS
British Wildlife Photography Awards feature amazing images of fauna and flora