photographing race cars?

Question by annabell_leigh: photographing race cars?
I am photographing a dragster for a friend of mine on Sunday the car will be racing throughout the day. He wants pictures to use for a website. I have never photographed for purpose before just for fun. I have shot some race cars before for fun but have never been quite pleased with the results. Does anyone have any advice?

I use a canon sx10is.

Best answer:

Answer by sagara
there are a few concepts needed to photograph race cars.

1. fast shutter speed. Cars are fast, you’ll need a fast shutter speed.
2. long lens, people are a too far to get really close to the car, so they have to rely on the lens.
3. panning. this is where to move your camera with the car. This makes the car look still while the background is moving. (this takes a lot of practice to get right. I sometimes stand by the side of hte road, practicing this technique).
4. monopod. Gives you a place to rest your camera while being able to pan.

In reality. People spend more on a camera than a new car, in order to photograph race cars. IN ACTUAL PRACTICE, USING YOUR CANON…
1. learn how to pan. Before you go out, practice next to a highway.

2. zoom out as far as you can.
3. find out the right shutter speed. It needs to be relatively porpotional to the speed of the car
4. shoot level, to make panning easier.
5. choose the best iso to match your speed.

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