A traditional way of capturing speed in a still photo was to pan the camera as you took the shot so the fast moving object was in focus and the surrounds just a blur. I've had a go at this on my layout. Here are a few of the results.

And a few more


I feel I should point out that this is Duchess of Hamilton as preserved. She did run through Dawlish Warren when she had her main line ticket back in the 1980s/90s

It's something I've used for some time when filming short films of stock on my layout and the real thing on steam rail tours in the area. Having somewhat shaky hands I would recommend a suitable monopod/tripod you can swivel round to track the subject. Experience comes with practice and taking still pics of motor cycle racers stood me in good stead (in those days movie capability wasn't available on SLRs that I owned). I did get some good pics of the Red Arrows as they were doing a show over Douglas beach in the Isle of Man.

I had a go at panning out at Hill End in the NSW goldfields during a geology field trip back in the 1980s. Apart from a few specks of gold the size of talcum powder, I had no success.

Seriously, they are good pics you've managed to achieve there, Chris. 

Just as seriously, the first paragraph is true  :'(

Quote from: Bealman on July 22, 2021, 06:52:20 AM
I had a go at panning out at Hill End in the NSW goldfields during a geology field trip back in the 1980s...

That's the type of panning I had in mind when clicking into the thread!

Seriously though, you've found gold with the 47 Chris. 

Quote from: Chris Morris on July 21, 2021, 08:54:14 PM
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47 581 was allocated to Old Oak Common while in toothpaste livery so she quite probably would have gone through Dawlish Warren while in this livery. I believe the Great Eastern nameplates didn't stay on long once she was transferred, can't think why. 😉

Yes, that 47 photo is nice and crisply in focus. That's my favourite out of your pan shots. 

I always think the main object of the pic doesn't necessarily have to be in pin sharp focus. An ideal example is Chris's pic of the Duchess which gives a much better impression of being at speed

I've done quite a lot of panning at air shows, I use a monopod with a Manfrotto 222 head, discontiued but quite a few on Ebay e.g.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/353513001326?hash=item524f04516e:g:7RwAAOSwpAhgNSxs
Being on a monopod allows you to easily pan, squeezing the handle of the head allows you to tilt if needed, or if on a tripod allows you to track the moving item.

Mine is this Sirui product which acts as both monopod and tripod.
The monopod has an interchangeable metal/rubber foot

https://www.onestop-digital.com/sirui-p-204sr-aluminum-monopod.html?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIgKKqs_D28QIVAhoGAB3S3gELEAQYASABEgJTLvD_BwE

tried panning, but didn't find any gold  :'(

Getting a sharp shot whilst panning something as close as a model railway is even harder than shooting on a racetrack! A tripod or monopod helps, something like a couple of drinking straws joined together (or some plastruct) attached to the top of the camera up out of shot wil help you keep the camera pointed at the same part of the loco to keep the shop sharpest.
Brilliant stuff so far, I look forward to seeing more!