How to improve panning?

[Vish]

Quite happy with some pics I've been through so far from the F1 on the weekend, but want a bit of advice on how to improve my panning.

Is it possible to get all cars in focus in a shot like this?

Would I be right in thinking the shot below would be near impossible as the cars are travelling in different directions?

Is a faster shutter the only way? Didn't want to use anything faster than 1/250 or 1/320 as the sense of speed was lost, although I suppose the blurred car adds to that?

 

[ukaskew]

I think you're asking for the impossible. Unless you use a very fast shutter speed (and therefore lose all sense of movement) you won't get all the cars sharp, especially if they are moving in different directions.

That's not a bad thing though, in my opinion. It's better to have a clear defined subject as with your second shot, than far too many things to look at in the scene.

I always try to blur as much as possible away from the main subject, this was 1/125...

With a faster shutter speed Hamilton would probably have been fairly sharp as well, but imo that wouldn't add anything to the picture.

 

[Vish]

I see what you mean. I did experiment to as low as 1/50 but haven't had time to see the results; I'm guessing they won't be good though.

So do you think the top pic looks ok with Hamilton in good focus and both Renaults not? I tried faster shutters but those pics bored me as they looked quite lifeless I thought.

That's a cracking photo mate. Have you got them all uploaded? Because your other thread had some superb shots as well. I was using your guide for mine, so thanks a hell of a lot!

 

[ukaskew]

I see what you mean. I did experiment to as low as 1/50 but haven't had time to see the results; I'm guessing they won't be good though.

So do you think the top pic looks ok with Hamilton in good focus and both Renaults not? I tried faster shutters but those pics bored me as they looked quite lifeless I thought.

That's a cracking photo mate. Have you got them all uploaded? Because your other thread had some superb shots as well. I was using your guide for mine, so thanks a hell of a lot!

It works in a strange way I guess, in terms of it being Hamilton in focus between two Renaults. However, 'conventionally' it would normally be the front car in focus with the rear two blurred.

1/50 is hard work with F1 cars, I was quite surprised at how much quicker they really are (stupid, I know!), you should have more success with pretty much any other motorsport.

I've not got any more from the Friday, only really grabbed a few shots as I wasn't there to shoot, just wanted to watch.

 

[Vish]

Oh that's a shame mate. I really like your photos in general.

Hamilton is probably in focus because I was following him all the way up to and through the corner.

And yes the are damn quick! lol That's why I like Luffied as they flow smoothly around it.

 

[skatedemonuk]

buy this months digital photo theres a good section bout panning in there

 

[Ian]

Tbh, not having seen any of your work before I'd say these are very good in terms of technique! They look really sharp. However, I don't like the first one because I didn't even notice Hamilton was in focus to begin with, only that the front car is out of focus.

 

[Vish]

Thanks. My first efforts with an DSLR. I kind of like only having Hamilton in focus but would prefer if they all were. You do have to kind of look for it, but on the larger images its a lot easier and quicker to spot.

Will look out for the panning section, cheers.