how to do motion shots

GS300Rich · 04-08-06, 09:19 AM

What settings do you put the camera on when you are doing a motion shot from inside the car, like pointing the camera at the wheels while you are driving 5 mph or whatever? Also I really like the night shots when a car is light up by a street light or some overhead light only, is there a special setting the camera needs to be put on for this to come out? Ive done it without the flash and using a tripod but the picture doesnt seem to come out very good. I am using a Kodak 7mp camera, not a nice SLR like most use here so would I still be able to get these shots with this camera?

whoster · 04-08-06, 10:41 AM

depends on what motion shot you're talking about...

if you want a closeup of the wheels while the car is moving...that's a RIG shot--which is basically attaching a boom to your car, having a long shutter exposure, then photoshopping out the boom rig later in post-processing.

a tracking shot, which is done by taking your subject car, driving it at X miles an hour, and having a lead car driving at the same speed, and doing a 1/30" - 1/60" shutter exposure (the slowest you can do...while getting a clean image) while focused on the subject car.

for nightshots, you need to figure out a way to custom white-balance your camera, then you MUST use a tripod. (custom white balance is necessary since most streetlights are horrifically yellow/orange, screws up the color of the car)
this is an extreme example of my nightshot... the shutter was 198 seconds (but i have a DSLR)

for your sake...you should see if you have a shutter priority setting, or a full manual setting on your Kodak. if it's a 7MP...it should have a few of the settings.

but the main priority you have right now is to figure out how to manually control the shutter speeds. if you can do that---you're good.

good luck.

GS300Rich · 04-08-06, 02:01 PM

Thanks for the help whoster. The motion shot I was talking about sounds like the one I will need a boom to do, so I guess I can count that out. My camera does have different shutter settings. I guess I am going to have to play around with the settings and see what I can come up with. How do I white balance the camera?

whoster · 04-08-06, 02:34 PM

it'd be nice if you give the exact model name of your camera.

but somewhere in a menu, in a submenu, somewhere..

your camera should have settings that lets you choose the white balance.

whether it is automatic, flourescent lighting, incandescent lighting, direct sunlight, in the shade, indoor shade, etc. etc. (to mention a few)

or if you're lucky, a custom white balance setting...which is basically--you take a white piece of paper and take a picture of it lit under the conditions you want to shoot....and the camera recognizes that white paper card as the default white.

but most point and shoots as far as i know dont' have this option...

O. L. T. · 04-08-06, 08:23 PM

Damn good info Whoster

bb6lude · 04-09-06, 11:33 PM

since you have a p&s that's relatively light in weight, you can get a suction cup mount and attach it to the doors or fenders. check and make sure the suction cup is securely fastened to the car, and the camera to the cup. some of these cups are pretty strong and can bend your sheetmetal.

use the self timer to trigger the shutter, or a remote control if your camera has one. turn the flash off, set the camera to the lowest ISO and smallest aperture (largest number) if you can control these settings. pick a smooth road, ideally a little before or after sunset.

ricky

Quote:

Originally Posted by GS300Rich

What settings do you put the camera on when you are doing a motion shot from inside the car, like pointing the camera at the wheels while you are driving 5 mph or whatever?

GS300Rich · 04-10-06, 05:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bb6lude

since you have a p&s that's relatively light in weight, you can get a suction cup mount and attach it to the doors or fenders. check and make sure the suction cup is securely fastened to the car, and the camera to the cup. some of these cups are pretty strong and can bend your sheetmetal.

use the self timer to trigger the shutter, or a remote control if your camera has one. turn the flash off, set the camera to the lowest ISO and smallest aperture (largest number) if you can control these settings. pick a smooth road, ideally a little before or after sunset.

ricky

Thanks for the great info ricky

GS300Rich · 04-14-06, 08:13 PM

Thanks for the help guys. I tried messing around with the settings and came up with some pics. These are my two favorites. Let me know what you think

The car is dirty but I wanted to try it out. I think they came out ok. I will definately be doing a lot more practice. By the way, my camera is the Kodak DX7630

whoster · 04-14-06, 08:55 PM

well aside from taking the picture from the wrong side (the side of the car you're taking a picture of...isn't lit)

they came out rather well.

the first one has better white balance than the second.

GS300Rich · 04-14-06, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whoster

well aside from taking the picture from the wrong side (the side of the car you're taking a picture of...isn't lit)

they came out rather well.

the first one has better white balance than the second.

I actually wanted it that way. It gives it a kind of dark look to it. I took many other pics tonight but only uploaded a few. I will be taking more pics once I wax the car tomorrow and get some things cleaned up. I didnt do any white balancing at all, still cant figure out how to do that, but overall I think the pics came out pretty good. I guess my next mod should be a digital slr

UberNoob · 04-14-06, 10:58 PM

to do a motion shot, u have to have a quick shutter setting

in a dark environment, ull have to use small f number

so combine 2 together, quick and big shutter
chachink

i dont think there are any point and shoot cameras that can do that...

only in an SLR

boy... i miss my old digital rebel