DPI Tutorial #1 - Handheld panning

Paddy · November 28th, 2006, 10:51 PM

Without much doubt, the drift photographers preferred technique. If your shots have no life, motionless wheels and solid tyre smoke then you need to read on ...

1 - Body Stance

Stand with your feet a shoulders width apart, with your torse facing the direction the car will be passing. Use your left hand at the end of the lense, right hand on the trigger.

2 - Camera settings

The fastest way to get to your pan shot is to shoot in Tv mode (Shutter priority) You'll need to judge the distance between the car and you and also the speed of the car. Also don't forget to set your focus to AI Servo so that the camera is constantly trying to focus on the moving subject. I personally use a centre spot only along with the AI Servo.

3 - Shutter Speed

This is the trickiest but always remember, start high, then progressively slow your shutter speeds down. Start at 1/125 (For cars at approx 40/50mph) and work down to 1/60. If your feeling lucky try dropping that speed down, but do not expect to come away with too many 'keepers'

4 - Shooting

Do not ever press the shutter button. Gently squeeze your shots off from whilst turning from your waist.

5 - Practice

Practice, practice, practice, practice, practice, practice, practice, practice, practice, practice, practice, practice, practice, practice.

- Paddy
Drift Photographers International

Some Samples -

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y65/paddymcgrath/moennight.jpg

50mm, ISO1600, f1.8, 1/60 of a second, Manual

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y65/paddymcgrath/SLAMsun-332.jpg

300mm (Full frame Sensor), ISO400, f/20, 1/125 of a second, Shutter Priority

jayhawk · November 29th, 2006, 12:09 AM

Thank you! I have been baffled on how to do panning, that really cleared it up for me.

watto · November 29th, 2006, 12:21 AM

Awesome! Thanks Paddy!

Even if it meant looking like a bit of an idiot, probably the best way to practice is to stand on the side of a main road and just go photo crazy!

Curlay · November 29th, 2006, 2:41 AM

sounds easy enough, now time for me to get out there and give it a go

andyhui01 · November 29th, 2006, 4:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by watto

Awesome! Thanks Paddy!

Even if it meant looking like a bit of an idiot, probably the best way to practice is to stand on the side of a main road and just go photo crazy!

done that on St. Kilda road outside NGV for 45mins with a friend, came up with 1 good picture images/smilies/lol.gif

Shadowness · December 1st, 2006, 1:10 PM

Nice one Paddy.
Ive got panning nailed, just working on trying to get slower shutter speeds, 1/60 is about my safest lower limit.
What tutorial next? Composition?

whoster · December 2nd, 2006, 5:13 PM

to add to Paddy's tips.

a monopod helps stabilize your shots. especially if you're using heavy lenses

jeffy777 · December 2nd, 2006, 8:54 PM

Those who are practicing: Post some of your efforts guys images/smilies/smile.gif

zenkidori · December 5th, 2006, 7:45 AM

Sitting by a roadside is actually a pretty good way to practice, most of the cars are going at a known rate of speed and you can get a good feel for what works with what speed.

Something I use is try to pick a spot on the car and keep it a certain distance from something in your viewfinder, like the edge or if you have a center "crosshair"(dunno if there is a photo term) try and bead that on one spot of the car and your rate of success should increase quite a bit.

also if you have an autowinder or your camera has a sequence mode or whatever that helps your chances as well.

Paddy · December 6th, 2006, 4:53 PM

I've not been a fan of "spray & pray" single shot mode FTW images/smilies/biggrin.gif

I dont use IS or monopods either, regardless of how heavy the gear is, doesnt feel natural ...

zenkidori · December 6th, 2006, 7:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cosworth

I've not been a fan of "spray & pray" single shot mode FTW images/smilies/biggrin.gif

things are a little different when that one good shot pays your bills, lol.

mancs · December 7th, 2006, 3:53 PM

You already wrote this to me, when I asked, but thanks AGAIN! images/smilies/wink.gif

Here is some of mine (unedited though...) :

http://www.mphoto.hu/gallery/albums/Driftedzes/_1010201.jpg

http://www.mphoto.hu/gallery/albums/Matra/_1010462.JPG

http://www.mphoto.hu/gallery/albums/Matra/_1010523.JPG

Curlay · December 10th, 2006, 12:25 PM

Here is one of my shots, this is from qualifying at Bathurst this year, you'll have to excuse the graininess, it was taken on my IXUS 55 point and shoot Digital Camera

http://img143.imageshack.us/img143/9910/img0423qf4.jpg

odo · December 19th, 2006, 12:58 AM

Image Stabilizer will do amazing things to keeper rates in this kind of shooting...IS IMHO is the best innovation in photography for ages...

ArosaMike · December 21st, 2006, 7:07 PM

Here you go. The best panning shots I've taken images/smilies/smile.gif

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v427/ArosMike/Renault%20World%20Formula/R25-01.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v427/ArosMike/Renault%20World%20Formula/Clio-04.jpg

Shadowness · December 22nd, 2006, 4:30 PM

^^Great effort with the F1 car, can't imagine how hard they are to photograph!

This was shot at 1/20 I think

http://i5.pbase.com/o6/11/595211/1/71632303.uD8EuZ3W.DSC_0815.jpg

I HATE CONES! images/smilies/mad.gif

http://i5.pbase.com/o6/11/595211/1/71632293.kaIhzRSF.DSC_0737.jpg

pterps · December 24th, 2006, 8:27 AM

I started doing panning shots this year, here is one I really like:

http://img28.imagevenue.com/loc507/th_48793_3706_by_pterps_087_aan_122_507lo.jpg

I just found another one:

http://img171.imagevenue.com/loc381/th_59081_3906_by_pterps_818_aan_122_381lo.jpg

47 · December 28th, 2006, 11:01 AM

wow, great photos guys. I think I'll have to have a go soon images/smilies/smile.gif

pterps · December 29th, 2006, 8:28 AM

On board panning shots images/smilies/wink.gif

http://img139.imagevenue.com/loc363/th_40424_5206_by_pterps_082_aan_122_363lo.jpg

http://img136.imagevenue.com/loc589/th_40430_5206_by_pterps_085_aan_122_589lo.jpg

Shadowness · December 29th, 2006, 11:09 AM

^^ wow great shots! Im working on shots of the same style at the mo, just bought an ND filter to give it a go.

November 29th, 2006, 12:09 AM	#2
jayhawk Cigar Smoking Man Joined: Dec 11th, 2005 Last Online: 2:19 AM Location: Aurora, IL. Age: 34 Posts: 6,475 Car: 07 Subaru WRX, 09 VW Tiguan. Rep Power: 234	Thank you! I have been baffled on how to do panning, that really cleared it up for me. __________________ Instead of attending the circus, I visit Autoblog to see the clowns comment instead.

November 29th, 2006, 2:41 AM	#4
Curlay Joined: Jun 5th, 2005 Last Online: October 6th, 2008 Location: Sydney, Australia Age: 23 Posts: 60 Car: 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer Rep Power: 19	sounds easy enough, now time for me to get out there and give it a go __________________

December 1st, 2006, 1:10 PM	#6
Shadowness Joined: Jun 20th, 2005 Last Online: Yesterday Location: Midlands, UK Age: 22 Posts: 1,093 Car: RenaultSport Clio 182FF Rep Power: 29	Nice one Paddy. Ive got panning nailed, just working on trying to get slower shutter speeds, 1/60 is about my safest lower limit. What tutorial next? Composition? __________________ Photo gallery----> http://www.danfreemanphotography.com/

December 2nd, 2006, 5:13 PM	#7
whoster Joined: Jun 7th, 2005 Last Online: November 16th, 2009 Location: toyota city, CA Posts: 795 Car: Lexus GS400 Rep Power: 21	to add to Paddy's tips. a monopod helps stabilize your shots. especially if you're using heavy lenses __________________ 1998 Lexus GS400 twit.

December 2nd, 2006, 8:54 PM	#8
jeffy777 Joined: Feb 8th, 2005 Last Online: 2:11 AM Location: US Age: 28 Posts: 6,295 Car: '04 Toyota Sienna, crippled people like vans.... Rep Power: 91	Those who are practicing: Post some of your efforts guys __________________ A man named Jeffy once said, "If laziness is craziness, then I've lost my marbles...and I don't feel like trying to find them."

November 28th, 2006, 10:51 PM	#1
Paddy Previously known as Cosworth Joined: Mar 24th, 2005 Last Online: Yesterday Location: Waterford, Rep of Ireland Age: 23 Posts: 1,992 LFS Status: Rep Power: 42	DPI Tutorial #1 - Handheld panning Without much doubt, the drift photographers preferred technique. If your shots have no life, motionless wheels and solid tyre smoke then you need to read on ... 1 - Body Stance Stand with your feet a shoulders width apart, with your torse facing the direction the car will be passing. Use your left hand at the end of the lense, right hand on the trigger. 2 - Camera settings The fastest way to get to your pan shot is to shoot in Tv mode (Shutter priority) You'll need to judge the distance between the car and you and also the speed of the car. Also don't forget to set your focus to AI Servo so that the camera is constantly trying to focus on the moving subject. I personally use a centre spot only along with the AI Servo. 3 - Shutter Speed This is the trickiest but always remember, start high, then progressively slow your shutter speeds down. Start at 1/125 (For cars at approx 40/50mph) and work down to 1/60. If your feeling lucky try dropping that speed down, but do not expect to come away with too many 'keepers' 4 - Shooting Do not ever press the shutter button. Gently squeeze your shots off from whilst turning from your waist. 5 - Practice Practice, practice, practice, practice, practice, practice, practice, practice, practice, practice, practice, practice, practice, practice. - Paddy Drift Photographers International Some Samples - 50mm, ISO1600, f1.8, 1/60 of a second, Manual 300mm (Full frame Sensor), ISO400, f/20, 1/125 of a second, Shutter Priority __________________ w: www.pmcgphotos.com e: paddy@pmcgphotos.com Last edited by Paddy; November 28th, 2006 at 10:56 PM.

November 29th, 2006, 12:21 AM	#3
watto Unloved and lacking a title Joined: Jun 13th, 2005 Last Online: November 16th, 2009 Location: Melbourne, Australia Age: 24 Posts: 5,707 Car: MY06 Impreza 2.0R Hatch Rep Power: 73	Awesome! Thanks Paddy! Even if it meant looking like a bit of an idiot, probably the best way to practice is to stand on the side of a main road and just go photo crazy!

December 5th, 2006, 7:45 AM	#9
zenkidori Banned For Trolling Joined: Jun 12th, 2005 Last Online: November 15th, 2007 Location: A mile high...and then some Posts: 4,809 Car: RX-7, Jeep Cherokee Rep Power: 0	Sitting by a roadside is actually a pretty good way to practice, most of the cars are going at a known rate of speed and you can get a good feel for what works with what speed. Something I use is try to pick a spot on the car and keep it a certain distance from something in your viewfinder, like the edge or if you have a center "crosshair"(dunno if there is a photo term) try and bead that on one spot of the car and your rate of success should increase quite a bit. also if you have an autowinder or your camera has a sequence mode or whatever that helps your chances as well.

December 6th, 2006, 4:53 PM	#10
Paddy Previously known as Cosworth Joined: Mar 24th, 2005 Last Online: Yesterday Location: Waterford, Rep of Ireland Age: 23 Posts: 1,992 LFS Status: Rep Power: 42	I've not been a fan of "spray & pray" single shot mode FTW I dont use IS or monopods either, regardless of how heavy the gear is, doesnt feel natural ... __________________ w: www.pmcgphotos.com e: paddy@pmcgphotos.com

December 7th, 2006, 3:53 PM	#12
mancs Joined: Feb 26th, 2005 Last Online: November 20th, 2009 Location: Hungary Age: 22 Posts: 1,461 Car: Lada 2107 (only race), VW Golf MKII LFS Status: Rep Power: 22	You already wrote this to me, when I asked, but thanks AGAIN! Here is some of mine (unedited though...) : __________________ Oversteer is when the passenger is scared, Understeer is when the driver is scared. Xprovid.hu My Project Car

December 10th, 2006, 12:25 PM	#13
Curlay Joined: Jun 5th, 2005 Last Online: October 6th, 2008 Location: Sydney, Australia Age: 23 Posts: 60 Car: 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer Rep Power: 19	Here is one of my shots, this is from qualifying at Bathurst this year, you'll have to excuse the graininess, it was taken on my IXUS 55 point and shoot Digital Camera __________________

December 19th, 2006, 12:58 AM	#14
odo Joined: Jul 24th, 2005 Last Online: November 15th, 2009 Posts: 17 Rep Power: 0	Image Stabilizer will do amazing things to keeper rates in this kind of shooting...IS IMHO is the best innovation in photography for ages...

December 21st, 2006, 7:07 PM	#15
ArosaMike Resident Kart Racer Joined: Apr 30th, 2005 Last Online: July 25th, 2009 Location: Birmingham, UK Posts: 842 Car: SEAT Arosa Sport LFS Status: Rep Power: 19	Here you go. The best panning shots I've taken __________________ It's Pain Time...Wooooh

December 22nd, 2006, 4:30 PM	#16
Shadowness Joined: Jun 20th, 2005 Last Online: Yesterday Location: Midlands, UK Age: 22 Posts: 1,093 Car: RenaultSport Clio 182FF Rep Power: 29	^^Great effort with the F1 car, can't imagine how hard they are to photograph! This was shot at 1/20 I think I HATE CONES! __________________ Photo gallery----> http://www.danfreemanphotography.com/

December 24th, 2006, 8:27 AM	#17
pterps Joined: Dec 23rd, 2006 Last Online: August 28th, 2007 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 2 Car: Seat Leon FR TDI 150 Rep Power: 0	I started doing panning shots this year, here is one I really like: I just found another one: Last edited by pterps; December 24th, 2006 at 11:18 AM.

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December 28th, 2006, 11:01 AM	#18
47 Joined: Mar 6th, 2006 Last Online: 12:52 AM Location: Croatia Age: 25 Posts: 1,431 Car: Focus 1.6, Kawa ER6n Rep Power: 30	wow, great photos guys. I think I'll have to have a go soon __________________ 47 - tuned by Medtronic

December 29th, 2006, 8:28 AM	#19
pterps Joined: Dec 23rd, 2006 Last Online: August 28th, 2007 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 2 Car: Seat Leon FR TDI 150 Rep Power: 0	On board panning shots

December 29th, 2006, 11:09 AM	#20
Shadowness Joined: Jun 20th, 2005 Last Online: Yesterday Location: Midlands, UK Age: 22 Posts: 1,093 Car: RenaultSport Clio 182FF Rep Power: 29	^^ wow great shots! Im working on shots of the same style at the mo, just bought an ND filter to give it a go. __________________ Photo gallery----> http://www.danfreemanphotography.com/

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