This is Photography

[VicSkimmr]

Must be? Some people (Sdobbins ahh!!!) claim to have a secret that they won't reveal. Maybe some people put a pillow in the window or something and use it as a platform, I don't know. Hanging out the door and firing the shutter away is my only strategy...

I actually don't think I've seen any of sdobbin's rollers, but I don't know what secret he could be holding out on.

Here are the best tips I can give. I don't typically give this info out, so don't spread it around.

Aperture set to about f/8

Focus set to AI Servo (for Canons). It's the focus that automatically refocuses for every shot.

Burst mode burst mode burst mode

I usually use about 1/35 for shutter speed, but the faster it is the less chance of camera shake you'll have

I brace myself with my legs and cradle the camera with both hands. I use my right hand thumb to hit the shutter release button. Obviously we never go very fast, 45mph is the max I ever shoot at. Otherwise I might lose a knuckle on a bump. For obvious reasons, SUVs make poor cars to shoot from.

Make sure you have stuff near your car that you're driving by, that's what will give the speed effect. The wheels and road will imply movement, but without trees or something close by the background will be frozen.

Lighting is key (isn't it always?) I get my best results from strong, indirect light and I only shoot rollers during the golden hour (or just before).

Too much light will make the photo look harsh, not enough will make everything too soft. It's a fine balance and it's truly a crap shoot with rolling shots. The hard part isn't getting a little bit of the car in focus, it's getting the entire car in focus.

Here's some examples for comparison. Look over the entire car to see what I mean.

Good lighting (light source is approximately to the left of the house)


Poor lighting (direct light, light source is beside the car on the drivers side)


Poor lighting (not enough light, right side of car is soft)

[izthistaken]

No rigs. I'm using a 10-22 so no IS either. I guess it's just from practice?

Just got mine haven't done a roller w/ it yet. Can't wait.

You guy understand when you shoot with a rig you can seriously push the car and make it look like 70mph, speed is irrelevant once you can drag the shutter and not worry about vibration

The price of a rig compared to a normal rolling shot.. Rigs are cool, but VERY pricey. I'm not against either. Getting my rig soon..

Need friends w/ lower cars.. lol


Dodge Ram by izthistaken, on Flickr


rolling Jeep by izthistaken, on Flickr


srt8 rolling by izthistaken, on Flickr


Dave's RX8 rolling by izthistaken, on Flickr


Soap's Terminator rolling by izthistaken, on Flickr


2011 5.0 belle isle bridge by izthistaken, on Flickr

[VicSkimmr]

Just got mine haven't done a roller w/ it yet. Can't wait.

You just got a 10-22? They're great lenses, but they're more difficult for rolling shots than you might at first think. I generally shoot my rollers at around 17mm.

[izthistaken]

Yup, just got it 2 weeks ago. I noticed that 10 is probably too wide to do rollers. I tried to do a roller of a semi truck, my g/f was going too fast though. lol Going to try it soon. Was going to do it the way you do before I read that. lol

[87e30]

Hey Jason, thanks for sharing your secrets.

I shoot something similar, usually with a faster SS but then it doesn't turn out as well. I think your focus on light is key and it's something I'd never considered for the focus of the entire car. I will DEFINITELY keep this in mind more often. not enough light really can soften things up:

This image way way too dark out.


This one was boring and overcast:


And this one had a nice sunshine diffused through trees:



Before your mention of light I'd never put all of this together... but the last is definitely the best in my opinion.


I also agree, I shoot rollers from 15-24 most usually. (crop sensor)

Cool shots posted above.

[izthistaken]

^ Nice shots. I like the Ruckus one a lot. Here's a bike I shot, wish I had a wider lens.


Yamaha R6 rolling by izthistaken, on Flickr

[izthistaken]

BTW, any of you guys who aren't on www.photography-on-the.net/forum you NEED to be. I've learned most everything I know from there. Same user name as on here if you care.

[VicSkimmr]

Yep exactly.

I think understanding light is by far the most complex part of photography, and it's especially difficult with cars because they're shiny and reflect it. And that makes it even more difficult for rolling shots because the light is constantly changing. A lot of people will probably find this offensive, but I feel like using artificial light is a lot like cheating and is never as good as natural light (for cars only).

For a lot of colors I've found it's more important to make sure that the scene the car is reflecting is properly lit than the car itself. If you keep a keen eye out for car pics that you like, I think you'll notice that the cars themselves never (ok, almost never) receive direct sunlight.

[87e30]

Is that the canon site?

At any rate I've picked up a lot of photo knowledge from tons of different places, but it comes down to practice... which is the step I'm missing. For example I haven't shot a rolling shot since probably september.

Also I learned a lot when upgrading to an (old) nicer body that forced me to think more.

[87e30]

Yep exactly.

I think understanding light is by far the most complex part of photography, and it's especially difficult with cars because they're shiny and reflect it. And that makes it even more difficult for rolling shots because the light is constantly changing. A lot of people will probably find this offensive, but I feel like using artificial light is a lot like cheating and is never as good as natural light (for cars only).

For a lot of colors I've found it's more important to make sure that the scene the car is reflecting is properly lit than the car itself. If you keep a keen eye out for car pics that you like, I think you'll notice that the cars themselves never (ok, almost never) receive direct sunlight.

Light is definitely tricky. Recognizing it quickly and putting together the colors in your head is a huge challenge and is where tallent comes through... and where I either fail or just get plain lucky.

Some of my favorite photos are sun+strobe lit. But I get what you're saying. I completely agree on artifical light, I think it opens up a crazy amount of opportunity. All (okay almost all) commercial work is going to be done with artificial light.

[Pussy30]

Yep exactly.

I think understanding light is by far the most complex part of photography

Understanding light IS photography.

[izthistaken]

Yep exactly.

I think understanding light is by far the most complex part of photography, and it's especially difficult with cars because they're shiny and reflect it. And that makes it even more difficult for rolling shots because the light is constantly changing. A lot of people will probably find this offensive, but I feel like using artificial light is a lot like cheating and is never as good as natural light (for cars only).

For a lot of colors I've found it's more important to make sure that the scene the car is reflecting is properly lit than the car itself. If you keep a keen eye out for car pics that you like, I think you'll notice that the cars themselves never (ok, almost never) receive direct sunlight.

I'm not starting a war, just wondering if you've shot cars w/ artificial light? It's a pain in the ass. I think strobes can really bring out a car if done right. Not that I have any idea how to do that yet. I'm still learning. lol

Yes, it's the Canon site, but accept anyone.

Agree w/ all other comments.

[VicSkimmr]

Photography is the art of painting light, but a lot of people who call themselves photographers don't really understand it or how to utilize it best.


Yeah most commercial stuff is definitely shot with artificial light, but I just can't seem to like it usually. I guess it's just a personal preference.

[izthistaken]

Yup, once the Nikon/Canon wars start I always say that they are all lightboxes, they are just boxes that capture light.

[87e30]

Photography is the art of painting light, but a lot of people who call themselves photographers don't really understand it or how to utilize it best.


Yeah most commercial stuff is definitely shot with artificial light, but I just can't seem to like it usually. I guess it's just a personal preference.

I used to feel that way but I've become incredibly impressed with their ability to design on the computer. It's an entirely new aspect. jeff ludes portfolio and scott dukes portfolio online if you're interested...