ADVERTISEMENT
Comments
Mark, I have been watching a few of your latest uploaded photos and have not commented but wondered if there may be something wrong with the focussing on your camera? I have also wrestled with focus and depth of field issues, along with blown highlights and/or dealing with minimum places to take photos at motorsports events. Of your last 4 photos, the latest is the sharpest but it still lacks clarity on close inspection. Also, the first 3 appear to have a 'blur' on the right hand side - almost if they were shot through a window - one I recall has an oblong blur - is this something obstructing the lens perhaps? I am not familiar with your camera (I recall the film versions were highly thought of) and whether you have autofocus or rely on manual focussing.
It is odd that your 1/800th shutter speed hasn't helped you. Personally, I think the high shutter speed tend to make the bikes look static unless they are at a dramatic angle but, again, in the first 3 of the four, the focus appears to be on the second bike of two, when you want the closest one (or both) sharp. Looking through your portfolio 'Have a Clear Lead' is a good shot and you have 'panned' the camera on that occasion and, while not as crisp as it might be, it is well taken and has greater impact for that and the eye doesn't tend to dwell on the sharpness.
Normally, a high shutter speed (1/800) would give you a sharp shot but a static-appearing bike (if photographed on the straight) so I am not sure why the photos are not sharp. Are you perhaps moving the camera slightly as you shoot (neither still nor panning if you see what I mean). You could increase the aperture to increase depth of field, reduce the shutter speed and pan to blur the background which would also give you an exposure which might reduce the highlights. Of course, we are often stuck with the bright light and only changing position can solve the problem - I always find that the best position for light is usually the wrong side of the bike - rider's head on the other side!!
Your latest shot has good composition but is quite tight in the frame, perhaps a square composition, or a 2x3 ratio, would have created an even better photo with less space surrounding it.
I hope you find these comments helpful. It just occurred to me that there seems to be a theme to the photos and a quick review of your camera might reveal where the problem may lie and raise your success rate. There are many good exponents of motorsports photography, MikeMar, Brownstonechip and Richie being very good examples, I often visit their portfolios and you can see the you the settings they use as a guideline to start.
Chris
It is odd that your 1/800th shutter speed hasn't helped you. Personally, I think the high shutter speed tend to make the bikes look static unless they are at a dramatic angle but, again, in the first 3 of the four, the focus appears to be on the second bike of two, when you want the closest one (or both) sharp. Looking through your portfolio 'Have a Clear Lead' is a good shot and you have 'panned' the camera on that occasion and, while not as crisp as it might be, it is well taken and has greater impact for that and the eye doesn't tend to dwell on the sharpness.
Normally, a high shutter speed (1/800) would give you a sharp shot but a static-appearing bike (if photographed on the straight) so I am not sure why the photos are not sharp. Are you perhaps moving the camera slightly as you shoot (neither still nor panning if you see what I mean). You could increase the aperture to increase depth of field, reduce the shutter speed and pan to blur the background which would also give you an exposure which might reduce the highlights. Of course, we are often stuck with the bright light and only changing position can solve the problem - I always find that the best position for light is usually the wrong side of the bike - rider's head on the other side!!
Your latest shot has good composition but is quite tight in the frame, perhaps a square composition, or a 2x3 ratio, would have created an even better photo with less space surrounding it.
I hope you find these comments helpful. It just occurred to me that there seems to be a theme to the photos and a quick review of your camera might reveal where the problem may lie and raise your success rate. There are many good exponents of motorsports photography, MikeMar, Brownstonechip and Richie being very good examples, I often visit their portfolios and you can see the you the settings they use as a guideline to start.
Chris
