Manual setting for moto x / dirt track in day light. Also positioning?

[Aakajx]

What setting is best for moto x / dirt track in daylight ? Do you think panning is good for it?
What positions on the track are best, how close do you get to the riders, do you worry about getting hit by a rider that looses control?

 

[tirediron]

The ones that work. Yes. The ones that get you closest. About >< that far. No.

In short, it's virtually impossible to give advice for a setting about which we know nothing. Generally: I will set shutter priority and select a speed which will freeze motion (>1/500) for some shots and pan others (~1/60). Corners/curves and jumps/hills are good places to set up as you're able to get better angles and 'air' shots. If you can get them in air, then I also like to pick an SS which will stop the motion of the bikes, but allow some blur in the wheels.

 

[KmH]

You don't want to freeze all motion in the shot.
You want the rider and most of the motorcycle sharply focused, but you want the wheels of the motorcycle blurred so the sense of motion and speed is enhanced.
Panning allows doing that.

So you want to position yourself so you can pan. You can't pan if the bike is heading straight at, or close to straight at you.

Over the years many photographers have been hurt by being hit by riders, motorcycles, rocks, and other debris by being to close to the track.
"The better part of valor is discretion, in the which better part I have sav'd my life." - Henry The Fourth, Part 1 Act 5, scene 4.

 

[DBA]

What setting is best for moto x / dirt track in daylight ? Do you think panning is good for it?
What positions on the track are best, how close do you get to the riders, do you worry about getting hit by a rider that looses control?

With motocross you'll want to freeze the motion (high shutter speed) and keep the panning shots to a minimum. I'd suggest setting your shutter to 1/1250, the aperture as close to wide open (smaller number) as you can (while making sure that the rider/bike still fall into the DOF), and then use your ISO to dial it in.

You'll also want to get in tighter on the rider, either via a longer lens or getting closer to the track. Also whenever possible try to stay at least eye level to the rider, don't look down on them.

Corners produce some of the best shots, however just be careful where you stand as they tend to blow them out (go wide on the exit, sometimes off the track).

Yes getting hit by a bike is a big concern, I know a few photogs that have been hit, some seriously injured. ALWAYS have an escape path for when the **** hits the fan. Not a matter of if, but when that happens. Always be aware of your surroundings and shoot with both eyes open.

 

[fishing4sanity]

Panning is great for action shots in moto-x. I also like to shoot from corners where the bikes are coming at you but with a long lens so you are safely out of there way. I watch some of the motos before my son races and pick out spots where I want to be when his race starts. In these two pics I was well out of the way, but you still get the feeling that the action is coming at you.

 

[JClishe]

You don't want to freeze all motion in the shot.
You want the rider and most of the motorcycle sharply focused, but you want the wheels of the motorcycle blurred so the sense of motion and speed is enhanced.

You might want to tell Simon Cudby that most of his photos are wrong then.

Simon Cudby Photo/Video - Home page images

 

[Braineack]

You don't want to freeze all motion in the shot.
You want the rider and most of the motorcycle sharply focused, but you want the wheels of the motorcycle blurred so the sense of motion and speed is enhanced.

You might want to tell Simon Cudby that most of his photos are wrong then.

Simon Cudby Photo/Video - Home page images

There's noticeable wheel blur in most of the shots in that link... now what?

Should we get Simon Cudby to tell KmH that he wasn't wrong then?

 

[DBA]

You don't want to freeze all motion in the shot.
You want the rider and most of the motorcycle sharply focused, but you want the wheels of the motorcycle blurred so the sense of motion and speed is enhanced.

You might want to tell Simon Cudby that most of his photos are wrong then.

Simon Cudby Photo/Video - Home page images

There's noticeable wheel blur in most of the shots in that link... now what?

Should we get Simon Cudby to tell KmH that he wasn't wrong then?

I guess this depends on what you mean by "blurred"? From what I got from KmH's post he's saying to blur the wheels to the point where you can't really tell the knobs apart. There are definitely times when you'll have a slight wheel blur due to the sheer speed that the wheel can rotate at.

Go look at a few of Simon's covers and tell me how many have wheel blur?
Simon Cudby Photo/Video - Covers

Some more from Simon
Simon Cudby Photo/Video - Motocross Shoots