Bad photos

Declanb95

Declanb95

Messages
13
Name
Declan
Edit My Images
Yes
Hello people of talkphotography.co.uk . I am only new to this site. I am a rally photogragher and my camara is a Olympus E-420.I am use the mode "A". My photos are not turning out the best HQ. (sample below). does any one know why this is?

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the exif doesnt seem to be there, so its hard to tell.
but for that shot i would guess you arent using a fast enough shutter speed

i'm not familiar with the A setting.. is it auto?

you've also got a bloody great big C in the middle of the photo
 
A mode - I'm assuming that on the Olympus that'll Aperture Priority?

If that's the case then that'll be part of the problem - you'll need to swap to Tv (shutter priority).

Once you do that the fun starts. You need to select a shutter speed that keeps the image sharp, but retains motion. There is no set rules and opinions will differ as to the best shutter speed - but generally speaking if you shoot 160-200 you can get quite good result. For head on and tail on shots you migt want to even go a smidge higher. (Monopod is worthwhile on bigger non IS lenses)

If the car is moving across the frame - then you'll need to pan (follow the car in your viewfinder and fire a batch of shots when it approaches where you want to frame it) Slower shutter speeds make for smoother background bluring, but will increase the number of duffers generally I like 125-200th for most things (although on some occaision you can go higher).

Experiemnt and practice I've found are key - it's constant progress; just when I think I have it right I see something on here that makes my stuff look like cave paintings.
 
Focusing: continuous
Shutter priority I find is preferable to aperture
shutter speed needs to be fast enough that camera shake isn't a problem, but slow enough for creative blur on wheels etc.,
ISO: as low as required.

I find I have less success with rearward shots, or maybe my lens is superior in focussing on a closing subject, than one moving away.
 
I would suggest that you haven't actually tracked the car in the shot going by how clear the arrow and junction number is, as Gary says having no exif in there we can't see what the settings were you used, but the shutter speed to me doens'nt look THAT slow tbh. (enough to have given a nice background blur if the car had been tracked correctly)

Would it be possible to show a couple more images from different locations / angles and we may be able to give more constructive answers.
 
It looks to me as though the background is nice and sharp, but the car is blurred due to motion.

This suggests that you aren't using a high enough shutter speed to freeze the motion of the car so it appears nice and sharp, and in poorer light you will need to increase the ISO to get fast enough shutter speeds. You will be surprised how far the cars can move, even in 1/320 of a second!

However using faster shutter speeds may result in the car looking motionless, as though it is parked on stage which is probably not the effect you are after.

You can often get away with faster shutter speeds on gravel events, as the clouds of dust and stones being kicked up by the car give a good impression of speed and motion.

What you probably want to do is to start tracking/panning the cars as they pass you. With practice, you can keep the car nice and sharp, and the background will be more blurred as you move camera whilst taking the image. This will give the impression of speed and motion.
 
I think Marcos has hit the nail on the head - the background is in focus and the car isn't, suggesting that it's selection of focus points proving the issue rather than shutter speed.

I would suggest first selecting a single focus point, even the centre one whilst you're learning, and keeping this focus point locked on the car by following it through the frame. Use Shutter Priority on the camera and select a shutter speed of 1/320 to star off with and once you've mastered the art of tracking the car start to reduce the shutter speed (with slow shutter, the world is your oyster - go as low as you dare!).

There's a lot more to think about with motorsport photography including panning, composition and backgrounds but you'll get to this in time. Post up some more shots and let's see how you're improving! Most motorsport togs are a friendly bunch so ask plenty of questions.

DB
 
Another one that thinks Marcos has hit the nail on the head. The shot looks to me that the camera could well have been static, or at least very close to static.

Could of course be wrong, but without any further details it's impossible to tell.

Simon.
 
rally-media said:
I would say you're probably right, but the camera has been held still to where he wanted to take the shot.
Click to expand...

absolutely

but wide open in Av mode on a sunny day like that, would have frozen it.. So i disagree that Av mode was necessarily the wrong mode, just should have been wide open.

nice to see everyone being helpful on a rally thread though! I knew it would happen one day LOL
 
Declanb95 said:
So really what everyone is saying is make the shutter speed as low as you can?
Click to expand...

No not really.

First of all I think you need to concentrate on getting the subject in focus.

Do this by setting your Auto Focus mode to tracking or servo or whatever it is called on the Olympus. Use the centre focus point, a high shutter speed in Shutter Priority mode and pan with the subject.

Once you've got this sussed start lowering the shutter speed to get the panning effect. As low as you dare to exaggerate movement.
 
Right so follow the car and start with high shutter speed and move down when i get the hang of it?

Thanks to everyone for helping
 
Declanb95 said:
Right so follow the car and start with high shutter speed and move down when i get the hang of it?

Thanks to everyone for helping
Click to expand...

That's exactely it, the more practise you get the better the results, then start decreasing the shutter speed. The hit rate will start to deteriate the slower you go but that's a risk you may be willing to take later on.
 
my advice would be to get some of the text on your website sorted out too.

'DBPICS was set up by Declan Boyle. We specialise in Motorsport Photography but later on in the year I plan to do a few truckfests. We are only new into the photography but no doubt we are one of the cheapest. We take pride in all our work and sometimes put the camara ahead of other events. We attend as many events in the North-West as we can. All images captured by a olympus digitally camara.'

'All photos for Topaz Donegal International Rally 2010 in A4 size is now only €10. (with out frame)
This deal is only for The Donegal Rally 2010!
Rescission busting prices!'

and in business, never use 'being the cheapest' as a plus point.
 
Declanb95 said:
So really what everyone is saying is make the shutter speed as low as you can?
Click to expand...

Maybe they are, but I think the real answer is to focus on the car, regardless of your shutter speed.
 
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Mikesphotaes said:
Maybe they are, but I think the real answer is to focus on the car, regardless of your shutter speed.
Click to expand...

Indeed, but possibly pre-focus where the car will be rather than trying to focus track it.
Still pan with the car and press the shutter when the car reaches the point you pre-focused on - remember to keep panning the camera while pressing the shutter.
I say this because because ....

Freester said:
Do this by setting your Auto Focus mode to tracking or servo or whatever it is called on the Olympus.
Click to expand...

... focus tracking on Olympus E bodies is called "pretty rubbish" by me :)
While it is possible for it to work well, even with a busy background, most days it misses much more than it catches. It especially causes me nightmares if the object I am attempting to track is moving towards me and then away as is often the case with cars/bikes.

So, by all means try tracking the cars but if you end up swearing as much as I do then give pre-focusing a go :)
 
Yes, let us professionals be nice to the man!

We can't really give you any advice until you tell us what settings you used.

And from your previous posts we can assume you don't know what setting you used apart from the camera being on 'A'?

Does your camera manual tell you what 'A' is?

By 'panning' the subject, you can start to use slower shutter speeds until you find the most effective speed for the shot you want.

Experience will tell you what shutter speed you will need for different effects.
 
Gary said:
my advice would be to get some of the text on your website sorted out too.

'DBPICS was set up by Declan Boyle. We specialise in Motorsport Photography but later on in the year I plan to do a few truckfests. We are only new into the photography but no doubt we are one of the cheapest. We take pride in all our work and sometimes put the camara ahead of other events. We attend as many events in the North-West as we can. All images captured by a olympus digitally camara.'

'All photos for Topaz Donegal International Rally 2010 in A4 size is now only €10. (with out frame)
This deal is only for The Donegal Rally 2010!
Rescission busting prices!'

and in business, never use 'being the cheapest' as a plus point.
Click to expand...

Surely the thread is about the photo not his website, or did I miss the post where he asked for website C&C?

With regard to the photo, I pretty much agree that you need to practice some panning, I am in the process of that myself and its very hit and miss at the moment for me, I am getting better though.
 
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Quaker said:
Surely the thread is about the photo not his website, or did I miss the post where he asked for website C&C?

With regard to the photo, I pretty much agree that you need to practice some panning, I am in the process of that myself and its very hit and miss at the moment for me, I am getting better though.
Click to expand...

Whilst I take your point, and did think twice about posting, its not going to help the OP get any customers by having a badly written website. I tried to word it carefully to make it helpful rather than taking the p.
 
I am sure if the OP had asked about his website people would have been right to respond. I have seen moderators pull people up for this very thing. I have seen many, many websites linked from here that could do with some help but unless invited, its rude to comment imho.

"Let him without sin" as they say...
 
Quaker said:
Surely the thread is about the photo not his website, or did I miss the post where he asked for website C&C?
Click to expand...
So if it had been a builder advertising for business on a website when he clearly didn't have a clue about building that would be alright then?

It's called deception.
 
Swiss Toni said:
So if it had been a builder advertising for business on a website when he clearly didn't have a clue about building that would be alright then?

It's called deception.
Click to expand...

Sorry mate but what this has to do with critiquing this blokes photo I have no idea.
 
Gary said:
lets get it back on track, or i'll have to do another tidy-up session
Click to expand...

I can't see what track there is to get back on?

The only information that Declanb95 can give us is that he had the camera set on 'A' which according to the manual for his digitally camera is Aperture Priority!

Apart from that, he can't tell us what ISO, Shutter speed or even how he focused it. :bang:

Some people have already given valuble advise. Surley this thread has run it's course?
 
Deasy said:
I wonder what lens the op uses? :)
Click to expand...

a 14-42mm but there a new lens on the way. I have learned something from reading all your comments. For the website forget about it because the is a domain website on the way for DB-pics

When i focus i take it when it is in the middle but i don't bother trying to get she whole movement when it goes past me. I mainly focus on one point so next rally i go to i will get all the movement.

I am still learning a lot about the camera and i will have a good study on it tonight on the shutter speed and all the modes.

Thanks for everyone for there help (y)

Regards
Declan
 
Hi Declan,

Welcome to the forum. Glad to see that you have taken up photography and found a subject that you are interested in. I'm not a motor-sport photographer myself, but do understand that it is quite hard to get spot on.

There are many threads on this site with people asking advise, so you are not alone. So have a flick through these by using the search in the top right of your web page.

I also had a quick stumble around and found this link which may prove helpful: http://www.carphototutorials.com/make_panning_shots_like_a_pro.html

My advise would be to take every comment and criticism on-board and learn from them, people never set out to intentionally cause offense but rather offer personal opinions which may enhance your images.

You've done the right thing by joining here and offering up an image for some advise, in the future try and make a note of settings you are using, as this will really help people when commenting on your photos.

Cheers

Paul
 
Thanks Paul. My next event is the 24th of July so Il let every one know that helped out how i got on what i learned etc.

Declan
 
I got to a early event so the pictures improved anyway

071%20copy.jpg


I also took the copyright C of the photos. Tell me what you think?
 
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