Motion blur backgrounds

  • Thread starter Thread starter BradKinder
  • 8 comments
  • 3,099 views
B

BradKinder

(Banned)
Messages
610
Messages
BRADKINDER
I see many photos where the background appears to be motion blurred while the cars are not. Are these pics just taken with a fast shutter speed and then photoshopped? Because, as far as I know, the camera in photo mode is always stationary.

If you cannot tell, I don't really know much about using photoshop.
 
This is in the wrong section. It should be in the photomode general forums.

But to answer your question, they're all using panning mode 3.

Hit triangle to while you're aiming you camera and go down to panning mode and select mode 3.
 
Mode 1: The camera is as if it's on a tripod, it swivels to match the motion of the car, but it stays in the same spot. Example:
suzukacircuiteastcourse.jpg


Mode 2: Mix of 1 and 3 AFAIK Example:
suzukacircuiteastcourses.jpg


Mode 3: The camera follows the car perfectly. All of the car is in focus, but the background is blurred. Example:
highspeedringhdr32.jpg
 
In addition to what MetalBeerSolid pointed out so well, I'd like to say that Panning Mode 1 does have its uses. For far away shots I've found that Pan 1 is best (how far you ask? Enough to fill a quarter of the frame with the car when using a 400-500mm focal length).

Think of it like this: if you are using Pan 3 when far away, the camera is moving at the same speed and direction as the car, even though it is really far away. So what happens is that the background doesn't blur as much as you'd like, because the parallax (change in perspective) is far less. Pan Mode 1 in these cases will give focus to most of the car while still having some background blur.

An example:

Silver_Arrow_4.jpg
 
I see. So the panning mode simulates the movement of the camera up to the moment the picture was taken. Mode 1 is as if the camera is on a tripod and has been following the car. Mode 3 is as if the camera is attached to the car directly.

And I guess the camera is taking some other kind of path in mode 2.
 
There is a sticky in the photomode forum about using the camera that I found helpful in learning about the features and options. Try that out.
 
Ok, so mode 2 is like a replay camera from an older gran Turismo. Flying along with the car, focused on the center of it. Any change of direction of the car will be represented by blurring at the edges of it. I think I've got it.

This sucks. I've been taking all my pics with the default panning mode. I could never get it just right. Now I know why.
 

Latest Posts

Back