Please dont shout at me ...but..

[webmistress]

Ok, I'm new to SLR type photos, but can someone please explain how in "the olden days" photos of cars @ speed had the background all blurred and the car nice and focussed, but recent pics I have noticed taken professionally @1*0 mph look static.

I would like to invest in a new digital camera, but really don't want to lose the moment!

Thanks
webmistress

[imperialism2024]

It's a technique called panning. Basically, you focus on the car, leave the shutter open for a relatively long time, and follow the car a bit with the camera. Done correctly, the car is nice and sharp and the background is blurred. But with the insanely fast shutter speeds on most newer cameras, many people just snap away without trying to pan.

Hope that clears things up

[RobDickinson]

Nothing to do with camera technology , as said above all to do with technique and what the photographer can and wants to achieve.

[TonyHetherington]

RobDickinson said:

Nothing to do with camera technology , as said above all to do with technique and what the photographer can and wants to achieve.

The technology is, in essence, the same. Lens, a hole that's as wide as you set it and open as long as you set it, and the image that gets let through is recorded. The only difference now is that rather than that image going onto a film, it goes to a digital sensor.

Edited by TonyHetherington on Thursday 21st June 09:22

[GetCarter]

Matt's pic of my car - digital camera

[mneame]

my attempt at this. was taken with digital

[Scoobylicious]

Take a look here for more inspiraiton: http://www.flickr.com/groups/panningonly/

[webmistress]

Thanks everyone, much appreciated.

I did think it might be a bit of a stupid question when I posted it, but am pleased to learn that it's about technique and ability rather than anything else.

Love those 'speed photos', that's what it's all about!

Will have a play with panning when I next get a chance.

webmistress

[webmistress]

Had a go at panning at Goodwood FoS and got one (of about 10) nearly right here OK, I have a lot to learn, but did make me smile . FoS pics taken with borrowed 35mm SLR (attached image scanned), new Canon EOS 350D digital SLR arriving next week

Thanks again for sharing your knowledge....

wm

[mneame]

although the whole car isn't in the shot it works for me because it's entering the shot. nice indication of speed.

you'll love the 350d. you can see what you've taken rather than having to wait to get the film processed. It just gives you a greater opertunity to retake if you need to, rather than maybe missing a shot - if that makes sense?