Help with shooting fast moving objects

[Captain]

Using the Sony A7iii and Tamron 28-75mm i want to get some pictures of me and my dad on our motorbikes but as this is the first time i am attempting this, i need some guidance.

The finished picture i want is us in focus with a nice soft blurred background.

If you could help me select the correct mode, AF settings etc that would be great.

Do i need a tripod? What about filters?

It will be tomorrow lunch time so it may be bright sunshine or it may to torrential rain!

Thanks.

 

[sHo0sH]

Will these bikes be moving? Or literally shots of you on it?

If stationary it's very easy, I would use aperture priority mode, set to 2.8, then stand far enough back to get a good framing with around 50mm or above - you can use a single shot shutter mode and wide area af should be fine

If moving it's more difficult and will require more settings. You will probably get better results with a tripod or monopod but you can do it without one. I would again go with shutter priority mode set to about 1/50th to start off with (this will vary on light, speed of target etc and you may want to try slower), but the focus would be on continuous and so will the shutter. You want to the try and match your panning speed with the speed of the bike, and hold your finger down on the shutter release and follow the bike as it goes past, taking multiple shots. You may also need to zoom out a little as the bike approaches, depending on how close to the road you are standing. (Beware if zooming out and holding the shutter release you will also get blur from the zoom from a slow shutter speed)

This is how I would try to do it, but it is by no means the best way, happy to be corrected by someone who has tried it more than I.

 

[Captain]

Thank you for your response, the bikes will be moving, I'd say around 60mph, may be more or less depending on the road.

The road we have chosen is very wide but the path is roughly 1.5 metres away from the road so the 75mm should be ok for that.

I have a tripod I can use with a rotating head so at least if I follow the bike while shooting, it'll be a smooth movement.

It just means I can't go out on my bike because the tripod is too awkward for me to carry while on my bike.

 

[sHo0sH]

Just expect a high miss ratio on this one!

Another way if you want to try without the tripod is to use the camera strap - put it behind your neck then hold out so the strap is taught, it gives you a lot more stability - you can use the screen on the back to see rather than the evf

 

[AndyCr15]

Not that I'm particularly experienced in this, but I would prefer the strap method over a tripod for this. As the bike passes, you're turning quite quick to try and keep it in the middle of the frame. I would also suggest, you generally need to try and aim the lens slightly ahead in order for it to end up with the bike quite central

 

[Captain]

Just expect a high miss ratio on this one!

Another way if you want to try without the tripod is to use the camera strap - put it behind your neck then hold out so the strap is taught, it gives you a lot more stability - you can use the screen on the back to see rather than the evf

That's a good idea actually as it saves me trying to carry the tripod around! I expect it to take me ages to get it right!

 

[Captain]

Not that I'm particularly experienced in this, but I would prefer the strap method over a tripod for this. As the bike passes, you're turning quite quick to try and keep it in the middle of the frame. I would also suggest, you generally need to try and aim the lens slightly ahead in order for it to end up with the bike quite central

That's true, i bet the first few goes i'll either get the background in focus or the whole image will be one big blur

 

[sHo0sH]

How did you get on?

 

[Captain]

How did you get on?

****, ended up not bothering as it's rained heavily all day tomorrow is supposed to be better but I'm working so probably go out on my own and get some landscape images instead.

 

[The_Abyss]

Rain would have been good, as the spray from the tyres and gear, beading on visor etc looks great. It sounds like you're very close to the bike, so you're going have to be at the wider end of that focal length and will need a slower shutter. I'd imagine that hand held on the Sony would be fine - I haven't used mine for any panning action shots yet but you can shoot such slow stills that it feels possible.

Below was 1/100 at 150mm f/10 (at the top of Grimsel Pass )

 

[Captain]

What lens was that taken with? What would you have to do to get it more in focus?

 

[The_Abyss]

I think that was a 70-200. I suppose a shorter shutter speed would bring more into focus, but the helmet is the focal point and is fine.

 

[Captain]

The helmet is still not as in focus as it could be though when zooming in, when viewing on my monitor anyway.

 

[The_Abyss]

In that case, it just needed to be a better shot!

 

[Pooh]

I suggest that you go and practice for an hour or so on some passing cars and bikes to refine your technique before the main event.

It can be difficult to get it right.

1/50 or 1/60 if you can and I would shoot at F8 as the panning movement would blur the background anyway

These aren't great but will give you an idea. Try and leave some space in the shot in front of the direction of travel as it will look better

 

[Luke]

I spent a morning at Cadwell Park practising panning. I also spent some time at the side of a motorway which got me some odd looks but was worth the effort!
IMG_8100 by Luke V, on Flickr
IMG_0191a by Luke V, on Flickr

 

[Pooh]

Good efforts, well done

 

[The_Abyss]

Th lack of protection on those Yamaha riders really bothers me.

 

[Pooh]

Th lack of protection on those Yamaha riders really bothers me.

yup me too. Bike doesn't look like the best maintained either

 

[azazl187]

I came here looking for guns..... i was met with cameras... disappointing