8 Secrets for VIVID, MIND BLOWING Motorsports Photography
Photographing motorsports is all about capturing the right moment. It's not always easy to get the perfect shot. Take your motorsport photography to the next level with these eight tips.
1. Creativity from Experimentation!
Motorsports photography is one of my favorites because it lets you experiment a lot. The race typically consists of more laps, more heats, and there are many more opportunities to get a good shot.
There may be exceptions to this rule, such as when trying to photograph a specific competitor in a short race. Even so, motorsports often afford plenty of opportunity for experimentation. Start with a few "safe" shots and then get creative. Give panning a try. Try new angles after that. Try to capture some shots of the crowd or the flag at the finish line. If you have time on your side, try something new - you may end up getting your best shot.
2. Convey Motion with Panning
In motorsports photography, blurring the tires isn't the only method of conveying motion. The technique of panning is used to follow the motion of a subject. As a result, the background is blurred while the subject remains sharp.
It takes practice to master the technique. In races with multiple laps, using it is recommended when you have the time to experiment.
In panning, subjects move from one side of the image to the other. When the subject is moving toward or away from you, it will not work.
The first step in taking a panning photograph is to turn on your camera's burst mode if you have not already done so. Any type of action photography can benefit from burst mode. The shutter speed should be set a bit lower than if you were planning to freeze the action. This too may need some experimenting as well.
To begin, start at 1/160 and increase the blur if there is too much blur, or decrease it if there is not enough blur.
As the action unfolds in front of you, move the camera to follow it. While keeping your feet in one place, move your upper body and the camera along with the motion.
The use of a tripod with a pan-tilt head is also an option. As long as the subject is in the same position in the frame, the photograph should be successful. The movement of your subject must be matched with that of yours.
While following the motion, you should keep the shutter button pressed.
It is common for panning to result in several bad photographs and one or two excellent photographs. Be patient if you do not obtain a good image on your first attempt.
For less background blur, increase the shutter speed. Keep practicing and go lower for more background blur.
3. Several Angles creates more Variety!
When you take all of your motorsports photographs from the same location, they will all begin to look the same. Take advantage of angles that will highlight the action - while maintaining a safe distance, of course.
You should shoot from a low angle when photographing a dirt bike making a jump, for example. As a result, the jump will appear even higher than if you were to take the same shot at eye level.
Don't limit your experimentation to the obvious shots. Consider shooting from a position where the action is coming towards you rather than passing you by.
You should focus your attention on the turns where the riders send the most mud flying rather than the jumps at a dirt bike race. You could also try getting in close and then including some shots from a wide angle as well to change up the composition.
4. Prepare your equipment for the right type of Motorsport Photography
My camera (and myself) have been covered in dust and mud more than once. Cameras can be ruined by dust. Before you head out to the track, make sure your gear is ready. This is especially true when you're shooting dirt track motorsports.
Rain covers are great if your camera isn't weather-sealed. By doing this, dust won't get in through tiny cracks and crevices.
Make sure you clean the lens and camera body thoroughly before removing the lens from the camera. You'll expose the sensor to dust otherwise.
For the same reason, don't change lenses at a dirt track.
What's more important than keeping your gear safe? Keep yourself safe. Get in touch with a track rep to find out where you can stand safely.
Use a wide aperture if you have to shoot behind a fence to blur it out. It won't show up in your pictures this way.
Keep an eye on your surroundings. Take your eye off the viewfinder regularly. You can also help by wearing a bright safety vest.
5. Close-up Shots with a Zoom Lens
Speeding cars aren't safe up close. A good telephoto zoom lens is a great item to have in your gear bag.
Bring the action up close with a 300mm lens.
Your camera sensor can get damaged if you change your lens on a dirt track. You'd do better with a zoom lens than a prime lens with a fixed focal length for that telephoto capability.
You can get some good motorsports pictures even with a budget friendly 70-300mm lens. It's a great way to catch the action up close and back off to show more of the track at the same time.
6. For Sharp Images use Continuous Autofocus
Getting great car photography and motorsports photography is challenging because it is difficult to maintain a sharp focus on something that is in motion. Set the camera to continuous autofocus to begin.
By doing so, the camera is able to adjust the focus following the press of the shutter. It is essential to do this when dealing with moving objects.
Consider the autofocus area mode next. Motorsports are better suited to dynamic or AF point expansion modes. The focus will be set to a general area of the frame in this mode. For an improved chance of getting a sharply focused image, the camera will also use the surrounding focal points.
There are some mirrorless cameras that have excellent autofocus tracking modes. When you select the subject, they will follow it for you. There are some cameras in which tracking mode performs less well than dynamic mode or AF point expansion mode.
A pre-focus technique may be helpful in some cases. When you know exactly where the subject will be, this is especially important. During certain types of races, try focusing on the inside lane.
You can prefocus by focusing on a particular lane or spot before the action moves there. When the action is in front of your lens, you won't have to wait for the camera to focus.
7. Anticipate the Action
All sports photography is about anticipation - and motorsports is no exception. Anticipation is easy at many motorsport events.
Circular tracks tend to have a lot of action around the curves. It's the jumps, curves, and moguls on a dirt bike track that make it exciting.
Arrive early to watch the practice rounds if you don't know the track. You'll know which parts of the event to photograph. Try to find the most exciting parts of the track, like curves or jumps.
A track representative will give you safety tips and rules to help you decide where to stand.
8. Freeze Motion with a Shutter – But Not Too Fast
There's no doubt that fast subjects require fast photography. You'll get clear, sharp pictures of motorsports with a fastshutter speed.
If you freeze every movement, it might look like it's parked. Use a shutter speed that's fast enough to freeze the car, but slow enough to not freeze the tires.
As a result, the picture is sharp, while the blur on the wheels makes it feel like it's moving.
Motorsports don't all go the same speed. There's no magic shutter speed for that perfect mix of sharpness and blur. Depending on how fast the car is moving, you'll need the best shutter speed.
Try 1/500 shutter speed and see what happens. Slow down the shutter speed if everything's sharp. Use a faster shutter speed if everything's a bit soft.
Shoot in shutter priority mode or manual mode to change the shutter speed. Shutter speed also affects exposure.
It will be best to pair fast shutter speeds with a wide aperture and/or a high ISO if the scene isn't bright..
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