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.

 

[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.

 

[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

 

[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.

 

[Captain]

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

 

[Captain]

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

 

[Captain]

Sorry for the lack of response everyone, the information posted is much appreciated.

I tried to get some practice on some moving traffic but failed massively, everything was just a blur