How to Capture Speed in Your Cycling Photos

As a photographer who loves capturing the sense of speed and movement in cycling photos, I've developed a technique that I find effective. In this blog post, I'll be sharing my approach so you can create dynamic cycling photos in manual mode via this strategy. These tips can help you take your cycling photography to the next level and capture speed in your cycling photos.

Throughout the post, I'll be including examples of my own photos and the camera settings I used to capture them. I should note that I currently use a Sony A7 IV, and some of the features and settings I'll be discussing are specific to that camera. However, even if you don't have a Sony A7 IV, you can still apply the principles I'll be discussing to your own camera and settings.

How to properly focus on the subject

To capture a fast-moving subject, it's crucial to ensure that your camera's focus settings are set correctly. This is the foundation of a sharp and crisp image. Without proper focus, the image can turn out blurry and ruin the shot. Spending time testing your camera's focus settings is essential.

It's best to prioritize focusing on the rider’s face to ensure the most important part of the image is in focus and the viewer's attention is drawn to the right place. Unless you want to focus on the bike of course. However, this can be challenging when the rider is moving quickly. Therefore, set your camera to continuous autofocus mode (AF-C) and use a focus area that tracks the subject as they move.

Below you’ll find the steps I use to set my focus settings on my Sony A7 IV camera.

Focus Mode: Continuous Autofocus (AF-C);
Face/Eye Priority in AF: On;
Face/Eye Subject: Human;
Focus Area: Tracking Expand Spot;
Metering Mode: Highlight.

Setting the right aperture and shutter speed

When I’m shooting shots like this, I often set my shutter speed at 1/20 second. When it’s that low you’ll get that artistic fuzzy vibe, which perfectly captures the speed. Depending on your personal preferences and style, you could play around a bit to test your ideal settings. Depending on the light, I’ll play a bit with my aperture to see how much light I’m capturing. Mostly it’s somewhere between f/10 and f/22 with this strategy. However, shooting with a wider aperture at lower shutter speeds can result in overexposure, so it's important to adjust the aperture based on the available light to ensure a well-exposed image.

Shooting in burst mode

With my camera, I'm able to shoot up to 10 images per second by switching my burst mode to high. Some cameras can even shoot at 15 frames per second using the mechanical shutter, like the Fujifilm X-T5. However, you don't necessarily need to shoot at the maximum speed to benefit from burst mode. Shooting a few shots per second gives you the flexibility to choose the best shot, for example, one where the rider's legs are in the most dynamic or interesting position.

White Balance and ISO

To be honest, I often leave my white balance and ISO on automatic. Of course, it's best to test out the optimal settings for your shot. In my case, I'm often shooting on the go, so circumstances are constantly changing. From one moment to the next, I can find myself shooting my friend Rik speeding after a switchback while I stand between the trees, and capturing a cozy little village in full sun a few moment later. Therefore, I need to be flexible, and leaving the white balance and ISO on automatic is a safe choice while shooting during a cycling trip.

Cropping the image

After taking the photo, it's time for post-production! A big part of this process is cropping the image to the right aspect ratio. The examples in this article are all in a 3:2 aspect ratio, because I find that aspect ratio works well with my blog design. If you want to post them on Instagram, it's best to use 4:5 for the timeline or 9:16 for stories. By using these aspect ratios, you're making the best use of the available screen space. Once you've determined the right aspect ratio for your photo, it's important to crop the picture in a way that leaves more space on the side where the cyclist is going. This gives the viewer the illusion that the subject is speeding towards that direction.

Editing techniques

To truly capture the sense of speed in your cycling photos, you'll want to use some post-processing techniques to enhance the movement and energy of the image. One editing technique I find effective is to decrease the contrast in the image, which can create a more atmospheric, dreamy effect. To do this, you can use an editing tool like Lightroom, which is my personal favorite. After decreasing the contrast, you can add a layer mask to your subject and increase the contrast only on the subject. This will make your photo look more dynamic, with the attention focused on the moving subject and the background receding into a blur. To achieve this effect, you can use the brush tool to selectively apply the contrast adjustment to the subject while leaving the background untouched.

Additional tips

In addition to the technique I shared earlier, here are a few more tips to help you capture the sense of speed in your cycling photos.

Firstly, consider practicing your camera handling skills. You can attend a local cycling race or ask a friend to model for you to improve your skills quickly.
Another helpful tip is to save a few of your favorite shots from other photographers and try to recreate them. Although it's best to shoot in a similar location and atmosphere, practicing the same angle can help you develop your skills.
Lastly, don't be afraid to experiment with your camera settings to discover the boundaries of your camera and how they affect your personal style of photography. Remember, there's no one-size-fits-all approach to photography, so find what works best for you.

Hopefully you’ve learned something, and I wish you good luck with trying this out for yourself. Remember that the most important thing is enjoying the process! Make sure to tag me on Instagram or send me your photos. Would love to see your work.