HELP!!!! Picture problem!!

kearypik · Dec 12, 2011

I need some help. These pictures are taken in a warehouse where my son races. I would love to get some great shots of him, but am having trouble with setting. Please let me know what I need to do. I use a Rebel xti. I use either the standard 55mm or 55-250mm lens to take the pictures.

#1

ISO/ 1600 1/60 f/5.0

#2

This camera I used my Canon G12
Iso/3200 1/60 f/3.2

tirediron · Dec 12, 2011

You need to get either a faster lens, a better camera, or more light. Even though it may seem bright enough to your eye, your camera's sensor is considerably less sensitive, and the simple fact is, that your current gear isn't up to this. In fact, even with professional gear, these kinds of scenes can be challenging. The simplest (and cheapest) way to do this would be to set up a speedlight at the edge of the track so that you get some more light on him. This will require a speedlight, remote trigger, stand for the flash (a tripod will work fine), and of course permission.

If that's not an option, than you can rent a faster lens; a professional 70-200 f2.8 zoom will help, as would a body that deal with higher ISO settings, but your best result will come by adding more light.

SCraig · Dec 12, 2011

And also learn to pan with the subject. Keep the subject centered in the screen, this will require moving the camera as the subject moves. It will keep the subject sharp and the background blurred as opposed to the subject blurred and the background sharp.

tirediron · Dec 12, 2011

SCraig said:
And also learn to pan with the subject. Keep the subject centered in the screen, this will require moving the camera as the subject moves. It will keep the subject sharp and the background blurred as opposed to the subject blurred and the background sharp.

D'ohhh... totally missed that. Excellent suggestion Scott.

Robin Usagani · Dec 12, 2011

Need a faster lens and maybe 6400 ISO.

kearypik · Dec 12, 2011

I had a feeling I just didn't have the best equipment for the job. As for panning I have done that and have a few shots that are ok. Just hard to pan in all the areas! Thanks so much for the help. If I would get a better lens, would that help enough?

480sparky · Dec 12, 2011

kearypik said:
.....Just hard to pan in all the areas! .........

Why? Are you squeezed in somewhere and physically restricted from moving?

kearypik said:
...........If I would get a better lens, would that help enough?

I'm not a Canon shooter, so I can't speak with any authority about what you have. But it sounds from other posts like you've got an entry-level camera and you're trying to take 'pro' images with it. Yes, a 'better' lens will help, but you still may not get the results you desire.

Robin Usagani · Dec 12, 2011

if you had a 50mm 1.8, you could have shot the 2nd one at 1/200 with ISO 3200 and get the same exposure.

analog.universe · Dec 12, 2011

I think adding one or two speedlights off camera would be the best solution here. The alternative is upgrading the body and the lens, to the order of $2.5k easily, and you'd still need to deal with the terrible lighting in that place. $500 in speedlights, triggers and stands will get the job done with your current optics, and give you some creative control over the light to get some really outstanding shots.

Check out Strobist. It's mainly focused on teaching inexpensive off camera flash technique, lots of sports related articles as well. Be sure to check out the "Lighting 101" section, as it will really give you a feel for the gear involved, and what you'll eventually need to learn to make it work.

SCraig · Dec 12, 2011

Stopping motion such as that is difficult at virtually any shutter speed. If the camera is held still the subject is moving across the sensor while the shutter curtains are open, and even a few inches movement will show up as blur. Your best chance, by far, is to pan with the subject. It is not always easy but that is going to be your best bet.

Those shots were both shot at 1/60 second (although the second one was show with a Canon PowerShot G12). Panning with a subject at 1/60 is going to be a challenge but at the same time you don't have much light to work with. A faster lens will HELP but it's not going to solve the issue all on its own.

The first shot shows that the flash was fired but there is still not much light on the subject. I'm guessing this was the pop-up flash on the camera. A better speedlight flash would be beneficial, but changing the metering mode from matrix to center-weighted or spot would help a lot more. I don't shoot Canon equipment so I'm not familiar with what the Rebel can do so I may be recommending things it's not capable of doing.

That and a lot of practice would be my recommendations. Now you see why the Sports Illustrated guys carry a ton of equipment and get paid a lot to make those kinds of shots.

Canuk · Dec 12, 2011

As a person that races motocross and is starting in to photography in it, I would say a better lense and stay away from flashes.
Racing is hard enough w/o being blinded w/ a flash trying to land a jump or overtake another racer w/ in a corner.
Last thing you want to do is cause a crash.

kearypik · Dec 12, 2011

Thanks again everyone! This really help a lot! looks like What I need is better equipment, but most of all better lighting!

KmH · Dec 12, 2011

And more technical photographic knowledge and understanding.

The easiest motion to stop is motion directly at or away from the camera, like the first photo you posted. The hardest motion to stop is motion straight across the camera, like the second photo you posted.

MLeeK · Dec 12, 2011

Can you place flashes in the arena so that they will illuminate him at the right time? A simple speedlight with a trigger set placed strategially would make your equipment work just fine. if not? you are in need of a very HIGH ISO and a very fast lens.