Speeding along
...I've always wanted to get driving shots. That is shots of how it feels like to be driving - and you know me - especially driving at night. However, since the car is moving and you have little light these shots are hard.
One of my contacts (toni V) has many terrific driving shots. I was hoping to replicate this shot he has, but I failed. More on that in a bit...
www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=1095139960&context=s...
...I had heard that using a Gorilla tripod strapped to the headrest is one solution. However, when I took this shoot I did not have my Gorilla Tripod yet (the Amazon box was waiting for me when I got home today!!). So I strapped the tripod in the backseat with the legs on each side of the divider. Then I secured it used both seatbelts in the back. I also used the passenger's seatbelt. It was pretty sturdy and did not move much.
Then I attached my Rebel with my new 10-20mm Sigma. I wanted a wide shot so I could see all the windows so I shot wide open at 10mm.
My first shoot got too much of me (see the first shot below) so I adjusted the camera and moved my seat way back and inclined the seat backwards. Fortunately, my car has a telescoping steering wheel which I adjusted to towards me so I could reach it. Then I started driving slowly and smoothly. This takes some effort since I typically drive somewhat aggressively (if you drive this car like a Camry you find yourself wanting a Camry - which is no bad thing mind you). Also I drive mostly alone so I don't have to think about jolting people or tripods with expensive gear on them around with sudden burst of speed or jolting gear changes.
I also tried to avoid potholes, but in Jersey this is hard. Most of these shots are from Port Imperial Blvd. (goes along the Hudson with nice views of Midtown Manhattan) at speeds of about 30 mph.
Then I decided to go on the Turnpike at speeds of 50-70 mph. Surprisingly these shots did not turn out that badly.
I need to experiment a lot more with this, but I happy for a first try.
I also attempted to replicate this shot by Toni V:
www.flickr.com/photos/toniphotos/1730053829/
Terrific don't you agree? I love his shot. He took it without a tripod (it is a 10 second exposure!!!). He also provided this sketch:
www.flickr.com/photos/toniphotos/1491592704/
I tried this sitting still in a parking lot (and pressing the camera against the glass and got blurry shot every time. Toni V must have arms of steel...
I also should have taken these shots without rain (to see better through the windshield and with more traffic (this was arond 10 pm). I will try to zoom closer to the windshield as well.
You can also try these shots during the day with some cool results as another contact of mine does (hermanau)
www.flickr.com/photos/hermanau/543534281/
Here is the slideshow of my shots...
www.flickr.com/photos/85625337@N00/tags/mazdadrivingnight...
UPDATE: I deleted a shot and added two more.
Speeding along
...I've always wanted to get driving shots. That is shots of how it feels like to be driving - and you know me - especially driving at night. However, since the car is moving and you have little light these shots are hard.
One of my contacts (toni V) has many terrific driving shots. I was hoping to replicate this shot he has, but I failed. More on that in a bit...
www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=1095139960&context=s...
...I had heard that using a Gorilla tripod strapped to the headrest is one solution. However, when I took this shoot I did not have my Gorilla Tripod yet (the Amazon box was waiting for me when I got home today!!). So I strapped the tripod in the backseat with the legs on each side of the divider. Then I secured it used both seatbelts in the back. I also used the passenger's seatbelt. It was pretty sturdy and did not move much.
Then I attached my Rebel with my new 10-20mm Sigma. I wanted a wide shot so I could see all the windows so I shot wide open at 10mm.
My first shoot got too much of me (see the first shot below) so I adjusted the camera and moved my seat way back and inclined the seat backwards. Fortunately, my car has a telescoping steering wheel which I adjusted to towards me so I could reach it. Then I started driving slowly and smoothly. This takes some effort since I typically drive somewhat aggressively (if you drive this car like a Camry you find yourself wanting a Camry - which is no bad thing mind you). Also I drive mostly alone so I don't have to think about jolting people or tripods with expensive gear on them around with sudden burst of speed or jolting gear changes.
I also tried to avoid potholes, but in Jersey this is hard. Most of these shots are from Port Imperial Blvd. (goes along the Hudson with nice views of Midtown Manhattan) at speeds of about 30 mph.
Then I decided to go on the Turnpike at speeds of 50-70 mph. Surprisingly these shots did not turn out that badly.
I need to experiment a lot more with this, but I happy for a first try.
I also attempted to replicate this shot by Toni V:
www.flickr.com/photos/toniphotos/1730053829/
Terrific don't you agree? I love his shot. He took it without a tripod (it is a 10 second exposure!!!). He also provided this sketch:
www.flickr.com/photos/toniphotos/1491592704/
I tried this sitting still in a parking lot (and pressing the camera against the glass and got blurry shot every time. Toni V must have arms of steel...
I also should have taken these shots without rain (to see better through the windshield and with more traffic (this was arond 10 pm). I will try to zoom closer to the windshield as well.
You can also try these shots during the day with some cool results as another contact of mine does (hermanau)
www.flickr.com/photos/hermanau/543534281/
Here is the slideshow of my shots...
www.flickr.com/photos/85625337@N00/tags/mazdadrivingnight...
UPDATE: I deleted a shot and added two more.