Saddlebags

May 17, 2010

Panning capture of a bicyclist in front of Grote Markt's belfry. - Brugge, Belgium - Daily Travel Photos
(Brugge, Belgium)
f/9 ▪ 1/50s ▪ @70mm ▪ ISO250 ▪ Canon 5D ▪ Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8
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Panned photo of a bicyclist in front of Grote Markt's belfry.

Overcast days are perfect for slow shutter speed work. For these types of photos, I initially dial in a 1/30 second shutter speed, lock in the approximate focusing distance then, after the first few test exposures, go from there (everything done manually). Panning with and subsequently capturing the moving subject crisply is much more difficult. In this case, I simply tried to keep one of my viewfinder focus points locked onto his head while panning. I attempted approximately 20 shots before I ended up with ones that I was pleased with.

grote markt bruges
A bicyclist is shown against a motion-blurred background. - Brugge, Belgium - Daily Travel Photos
(Brugge, Belgium)
f/9 ▪ 1/50s ▪ @70mm ▪ ISO250 ▪ Canon 5D ▪ Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8
License This Image

and similar images at

Dreamstime Microstock Agency Logo

and

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A bicyclist is shown against a motion-blurred background.

Of all the photos I shot this evening, this one was absolutely tack sharp. On a non-technical note, Belgian people appear to be a hearty bunch. The winds were howling around this time as the temperatures reached approximately 47°F (8°C). Yet most cyclists had neither gloves or full Eskimo seal leather jackets lined with polar bear fur. As for cowards like your trusty cameraman, I was alternating 15 minutes of shooting with 30 minute cappuccino breaks inside the warm lair provided by French fast food chain, Quick.

belgian bicyclist

2 Comments - Saddlebags

1) Thomas -

Hello,
I was surprised that you investigated the Fries to know if they were Belgian wether not, but then you called Quick 'French' hehe. Sure it's as well a Belgian compagny...;-)
Btw, awesome picks token from my city... keep up the good work!!

March 24, 2011
2) TravelGuy -

Thanks for writing Thomas. You're absolutely right. Big oversight on my part. I even looked it up weeks after this trip but I forgot it somehow. Quick is a Belgian/French company. It doesn't help that my girlfriend is French and told me this is a fully French company. Great cappuccinos (cappuccini?) though I dare not try much else ;-)

March 24, 2011