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How to pan for trailing lights in Night photos
Posted By: hinman, 09-24-2007, 07:31 PM

I try to pan a shot with K100D and FA 50 f/1.4 trying to get some
trailing lights in a car's movement while retaining a readable sign
for "Jack In The Box". This Wednesday, I want to shoot a 'J' photo
for a photograph ABC event in a blogging community.

I don't quite like the 'J' photos that I have so far as I really
have not nailed the panning for night time shot for special effects
with trailing light following the movement of the car.

#1 (no panning)


#2 (car is too bury, I pan to left following the car movement, a
qucik horizontal move to left)


#3 (closest one I like but the sign is too blurred, oh my)


#4 my backup with johnson's baby, backup is still a backup


I am looking for suggestions and I don't quite know to to pan the
shot without making the "Jack In the Box" blurred too much. I know
that I may be looking for something that are contradicting to each
other -- the trailing and non-blurred sign in "Jack In The Box".
Thanks a bunch for your help.

My previous entry on 'I' with Inhaler -- a personal blog post about
my asthmatic son

Inhaler - Hin's Photo Blog

and I still manage NOT to have my first burger in IN-N-OUT

IN-N-OUT - Hin's Tech Corner

Thanks,
Hin

Last edited by hinman; 09-25-2007 at 12:18 AM.
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09-24-2007, 07:42 PM   #2
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Hin,

Are you allowed to use software for the effect?

If you are try a wind effect, and from what I can tell it's similar to what your after.
09-24-2007, 07:50 PM   #3
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I don't have any software that do this

QuoteOriginally posted by little laker Quote
Hin,

Are you allowed to use software for the effect?

If you are try a wind effect, and from what I can tell it's similar to what your after.

Of course, software is allowed as that event is not competition and meant for pure photo fun. I have downloaded 'photoplus', last I remember I get a suggestion from you, does it have this feature, I will look again.

Thanks,
Hin
09-24-2007, 11:41 PM   #4
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Instead of panning, I use long shutter 0.5sec

I took some advice from another forum in not using panning and use a long shutter speed, I get the best one with 0.5 second in this one with traffic going to my camera's right side. It would have been nice to have both ways flowing at the same time

#1


and some have the trailing lights but not as dramatic

#2


#3


#4


I have so much fun in that 5 minutes trying out long shutter speed on my way home. I use Tv mode with 0.5 seconds throughout and iso are roughly picked up by auto as iso 400 and the best shot #1 is at f/5.0.

Thanks a bunch, will try more tomorrow.

Hin

09-25-2007, 09:39 AM   #5
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You should use a tripod if you're using longer shutter speeds. Focus on the sign then let her rip. ^_^ you get the trailing blur on the car and the "Jack in the Box" will be super sharp
09-25-2007, 10:31 AM   #6
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Thanks for suggestion, focal b&w variation

QuoteOriginally posted by qdoan Quote
You should use a tripod if you're using longer shutter speeds. Focus on the sign then let her rip. ^_^ you get the trailing blur on the car and the "Jack in the Box" will be super sharp
Yes, I actually don't mind a somewhat blurry background but just clear enough to see the sign of "Jack In The Box" especially the J letter. And I don't have a tripod with me yet -- low budget for newbie on training wheels.

I have taken the advice on longer shutter shot with steady grep on my
camera, with some post processing, last night's attempt with 0.5
second shutter comes out as follows. I would have liked the "Jack in
the box" sign to be clearer but that can be left for another time



pp with Picasa Focal B&W and shadow, highlight and a bit of sharpening

Picasa Tutorials - Hin's Tech Corner

Thanks for the comment,
Hin
>
09-25-2007, 02:09 PM   #7
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(Firstly let me apologize for rambling... just saw this post and I'm writing as I'm working it out in my head).
Well adding to what has already been said... and probably what you read... you may get best results using a tripod to steady everything. If no tripod... get someone or something to steady the cam (Another car would do too... ). If funds permit... or later when funds permit, perhaps you could try a flash with trailing shutter sync. Of course.. the distance between flash and camera may be an issue but a little creativeness will go a long way.

One could try small aperature (f11 or f8) long shutter... preferably bulb. A flash, and an accomplice. Place accomplice across the road in front of store across the road out of frame with flash in hand... charged and ready to fire. Once car enters frame fire shutter. Accomplice pops flash at the car. Once flash fired.. close shutter.

Hrmmnn... maybe that will work.

maybe.

Good luck

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