Seeing Improvements Pt. 2

Here's a shot of Scott Dixon at Infineon Raceway that I took this year. I think that it shows improvement from the previous year. I changed a few settings that allow for better focusing. Last year I used the AF-A setting for focusing, this year I went with AF-C. This allowed the camera to focus faster, which in turn produced more "keepers".

I've had the D40 for over a year at this point, and I have probably shot over 35,000 shots. I have since noticed that my camera tends to underexpose. So, as a result, I adjusted the exposure compensation to +0.7 to brighten up the shot. My compositional skills have improved as well. For this shot I tried to minimize distractions by isolating the car. The line in the picture gives the car somewhere to go. And the red color really attracts the eye.

Next year, I hope to have better equipment for the event. I would like to try renting a long telephoto lens so that I can get a little closer to the action and fill the frame for even better composition. LensRentals.com provides a great selection of equipment to rent. It's a great way to try gear before buying. I have never rented from them, but when I do, I'll let you know how it went.

For this type of photography, the D40 may not the best choice. I would like a faster FPS, as well as faster focusing. Understanding the limitations of your equipment can help you to get great shots regardless of what type of camera you have. With the correct settings, you can get great results from an entry-level camera. Just remember...the camera is only a tool.