How to Photograph a Car in Motion

Tips for Photographing Cars in Motion

Whether a car is designed to transport you from A to B or to go around a circuit as fast as possible, they certainly have one thing in common: you capture them in all their glory when they are in motion. But how do you make sure that movement is clearly visible in your photo? We give you some tips and tricks to get started.

As a car enthusiast, you have probably taken a snapshot with your phone of a beautiful sports car driving by. Nice as a memory, but the speed probably did not jump off the photo. This has everything to do with a shutter speed that is too fast and ‘freezes’ all movement. This way of photographing can certainly come in handy in automotive photography, but to emphasise movement, it is better to choose different camera settings. We will tell you about two techniques for capturing moving cars: the panning shot and the rig shot.

Panning Shot

With a panning shot, the car is sharp and the background is blurred. This makes it look as though the car is moving through the photo. This emphasises the movement of the car and creates a special effect.

How do I make a panning shot?
The name already gives it away a little. You make a panning movement with your camera, which means moving the camera along with the car. Because you move along with it, the car appears sharp in the image, while the background gets motion blur. Try to make sure that your sideways movement is stable and that you follow, as it were, a straight, horizontal line. This will give you the best results.

How do I set up my camera for a panning shot?
Set your camera to shutter priority mode. In this mode, you can focus on the shutter speed without worrying too much about the other settings. There is no fixed shutter speed that always works. The shutter speed depends, among other things, on the speed of your subject and the amount of blur you want to see in the background. In addition, set the autofocus to continuous mode and choose burst mode.

Practical tips for creating a panning shot

• Experiment with shutter speed and do not be afraid to make mistakes. For example, start with 1/60, see what it does to your shot, and only then adjust your shutter speed up or down.
• Follow the car before you start shooting. Make sure you already have the car in your viewfinder and are already moving along with it. This way, the movement is smoother and you achieve better results.
• Turn off the lens image stabilisation. It will do its best to minimise movement, and that is exactly what we do not want right now. If you have a lens with a mode for horizontal stabilisation only, you can use that.
• Use a monopod for horizontal stabilisation. This helps you maintain a stable sideways movement along a straight, horizontal line.
• Take many photos in succession using burst mode. This greatly increases the chance of getting a sharp one. You can filter out the blurry, less successful photos later.
• Practise, practise and practise again. Many of your photos will fail, but practice makes perfect. Just stand by a road and refine your technique.

Rig Shot

A rig shot is a photo made using a rig attached to the car. It takes a bit more time, effort and money to get started with, but it helps you distinguish yourself from other photographers.

How do I make a rig shot?
To make a rig shot, place your camera on a rig. A basic version of a rig consists of suction cups, a (long) pole, and a (flexible) arm with a ball head for attaching your camera. The rig is attached to the car using the suction cups. Because of the long pole, the camera hangs at such a distance from the vehicle that it fits completely in the shot, especially when using a wide-angle lens. You later remove the visible rig in Photoshop.

How do I set up my camera for a rig shot?
Just like with a panning shot, choose a slow shutter speed to create a sense of speed in the photo. This can even go up to several seconds. Focus after you have attached the camera in place and it no longer changes position. Once you have the correct focus, switch off autofocus to prevent the focus from accidentally shifting. Naturally, you can no longer operate the camera by hand, so make sure it is connected to a remote control.

Practical tips for creating a rig shot

• Push the car while the engine is off (and in neutral). A successful rig shot gives the illusion that the car is driving fast, but this is not necessary at all. As long as you choose the right shutter speed. A running engine only causes unwanted vibrations.
• Experiment to find the right composition. An angle from the front or rear often works better than directly from the side. Also think about the height of the camera.
• Use an ND filter. It may happen that your shutter speeds become so long that an ND filter comes in handy to block the available light and prevent overexposure.
• Try taking a photo while the car is going through a corner for an extra special effect.
• Position the rig so that you have to clone out as few details as possible in Photoshop when removing the rig from the photo.
• Be aware of what can go wrong. Secure everything carefully to prevent damage to your camera or car. You do not want the camera to come loose and end up on the asphalt.

Bonus Tip: Car-to-Car Shot

There is a lot involved in creating a rig shot. Fortunately, you can make a similar type of photo in a cheaper and simpler way. What do you need? Two cars with drivers who are coordinated with each other and a steady hand. From one car, you photograph the other. Shutter speeds of several seconds, as with a rig shot, will not work here, but with shutter speeds around 1/50 you can already achieve a beautifully blurred background. You will not easily match the professional and polished look of a rig shot, but it is certainly worth trying.

Please note: Only do this in controlled environments or locations where it is quiet. Make sure that both drivers keep their eyes on the road and their hands on the steering wheel at all times.