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Cycle Racer III - Cropped


 
BetterPhoto Crew: King   Panning Rider
Panning Rider
Panning shot taken at races at the Redmond, WA, velodrome. Much better with closer crop and subject moving into the frame.

Jim Miotke

 
 
 

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Was this picture taken using a digital camera and if so, how did you capture a action shot? Mine comes out with streaks. I know I probably don't have the best of cameras but I was using a Polaroid PDC2300z 2.3 megapixel. Help!!!! I am new at this. Is there a digital camera that can capture action shots? I know that 35mm is probably the only camera good for action shots.


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November 06, 2001

 

BetterPhoto Member
  I have been under attack for going to work as a photographer - I went to work for Olan Mills and was attacked. My Casio digital camera has been stolen from me! But I refuse to give up I was able to save my 35mm camera and I really do want to keep my job.

Can you suggest a better way to protect my rights than by just putting a label on me and a copyright. (I had the Casio camera for a long time and can not replace it and I have no money for legal help and the abuse of the system has not stop.)

I will continue to do photography and would like to go into film making my best work is yet to come. Thank you for letting me enter your contest and when I find that picture that is roaming with in all I minds I would like to continue to enter my photos in your contest. But I will only have my old Canon Rebel X 35mm to do so. Thank you again. People who hassle each other for the work that they do or for the life that they live take ugly pictures anyway.


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November 09, 2001

 
BetterPhotoJim.com - Jim Miotke

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  Hi and thanks for your comments.

I used a film-based SLR for this shot. It is very hard to do such a panning shot with most digital cameras. This is mainly because most suffer from a bit of a delay when you press the button. Also being able to control shutter speed really helps.

If you can get your hands on a digital SLR or other "prosumer" level digital camera, you should be able to get similar results. You just have to be able to set a shutter speed between 1/15 - 1/60 sec. Then "track" the subject as it goes by you, moving the camera. When the subject reaches optimal position (or just before), press down the shutter button as you continue to follow the subject.

Enjoy!


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November 10, 2001

 

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  Thanks Jim


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November 11, 2001

 

BetterPhoto Member
  There is a way to get some action shots from a digital camera without paying too much. As long as you have a pre-focus feature (i.e. point where you will shoot, and press the shutter half way). Then track the subject (with the shutter down half way), and shoot as it passes the point you focussed for. With a bit of practise, you get a feel for timing, and can get some pretty good pictures. It works best when you can anticipate where the sibject is going, e.g. greyhound tracks, cycle tracks, athletics meets, etc.


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November 23, 2001

 
BetterPhotoJim.com - Jim Miotke

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  Thanks Mitt - that is indeed a great suggestion. It goes to show that, while the equipment plays a part, it does not make the photographer :)

Thanks again,


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December 07, 2001

 

Cathy M. Gromball
  Cool shot Jim! Panning sure does gives the viewer a sense of the action!

Cathy :)


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May 26, 2019

 

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  very nice pic, could the shutter set to AUTO using a nikon EM and 800iso film capture the rider?


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March 21, 2005

 
BetterPhotoJim.com - Jim Miotke

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  Thanks again. David, I am not familiar with the Nikon EM but I would say no to your question. You really need to go off of the auto into a shutter priority mode (or other mode which allows you to choose a slower shutter speed). And I would imagine that going with a lower ISO would be better than a high one such as ISO 800.

I hope this helps get you going in the best direction. Have fun panning!


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March 21, 2005

 
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