I’d like to try photographing motorsport; what settings should I try?

Bethany King, Richmond, North Yorkshire

Brian Says… I’d start by using shutter priority, and selecting a shutter speed to freeze the motion of the competitors; 1/1000 sec is a good starting point. Use slower shutter speeds and pan with the subject for an alternative result. Make sure the focus is set to AI Servo, and set the drive to continuous high speed. Press the shutter button and take a short series of pictures, starting before the subject reaches the point where the action is.

I suggest using the manual select zone AF focus area. This gives a good size of focus points, and ensures the camera focuses on the subject covered by the AF points, not by something not in your field of view. I would also select AF Case 4 to refine the focus system for motorsport.

Like most genres of photography, knowing the subject is a big part of getting good results. Study other photographers covering similar motorsport events, even at the same venue.

Smaller-scale motorsport events frequently allow closer access to the racing, and have fewer high fences than events at major tracks