Just a shot of an N-guage railroad layout at the local HobbyTown toy shop. I tried to capture the imagination of a model train enthusiast when he sees his model as a full-scale train chugging down the tracks.
I sure like your motion shots Mark. This is no exception and very well done. My dad had a train setup in the basement when I was a kid and this sure brought back some memories.
Thanks Klaus. My intention was to make this train look real by blurring the scene with the motion, and to bring the viewing angle down to where a child might be looking. I remmber getting down low and close as a child while imagining my toys were the real things. Now, of course, I have to back away or get my reading glasses to see things clearly
Really nice. Would like to learn how to pan like you did here. How do you keep the subject in focus and not blurred? Calculate the speed the train's moving at?
essphoto wrote:
Really nice. Would like to learn how to pan like you did here. How do you keep the subject in focus and not blurred? Calculate the speed the train's moving at?
Hi,
Thanks for the compliment. I've been experimenting a lot with slow shutter panning lately and in this shot I held the camera about 3-5 inches away from the train engine as it traveled slowly down the tracks. This N-guage model is only about 5 inches long so you have to be close. Then it's just trial and mostly error as the camera has to follow the exact motion of the train to get a clear shot. It's pretty difficult but I love the results when you get one right. This train is one of my favorite pan shots so far just because the motion completely transforms the artificial model train layout into a more real looking environment.
Thanks for explaining how you achieved this shot Mark. I agree that it "transforms the artificial model train layout into a more real looking environment". Very nicely done! ~Jamie
contre-jour wrote:
Thanks for explaining how you achieved this shot Mark. I agree that it "transforms the artificial model train layout into a more real looking environment". Very nicely done! ~Jamie
Thank you Jamie. I'm glad you feel the same way about the realism derived from the pan. I'm going to experiment with a lot of other subjects and slow shutter. It's fun, and it can disguise an otherwise ordinary image.
You have done it yet again ! Great shot and great take on the subject.