Discussion
white_van_man said:
Im off to le mans on thursday, im after a few tips on taking night pics, both long and shortish exposures. I dont have an extra flash so its only the built in one for lighting purposes!!!
any tips would be great
If we're talking motorsport at night, the built-in flash will be useless. You'll have to make do with what light there is, so you certainly won't be freezing any action. I'd try Shutter Priority and experiment to see what gives the best results. Expect long light trails!
If your subject is within range of the flash, say 20 feet, then you can get some interesting effects with the combination of long shutter speed and flash, and also try rear curtain synch.
One thing I might suggest is on the location front. If you haven't been before, go to the Arnage corner after dark and pan with the cars as they brake. The disc's glow bright red. You can get some very good, almost sureal, photos there and your not far from the cars. The panning will negate the catch fencing quite a bit if you don't use the flash.
Long Exposures - Park yourself at the start of the pit straight. There's a grandstand there which by 2 am probably won't have a marshall anywhere near it so tickets won't be a problem. From there you can aim straight up the track and take a long exposure and capture the rear lights going up the track.
I had my first go at a few last year at LM - If you can (and this year will be the last year it will be possible), get into the Welcome Enclosure and up onto the tower at night:
but do take something with you to keep the camera still on a long exposure!
Other examples here: <a href="http://markbarton.digimig.co.uk/c243709.html">http://markbarton.digimig.co.uk/c243709.html</a>
It was all guesswork on my part really - I've got an old film camera, and just kept the shutter open for as long as I thought it might take. It probably took the cars a good five seconds to pass the tower on that second shot, so you can get away with quite long exposures.
>> Edited for poor spelling, and to add that there are some other (better) examples of night photography in the Spa collection on the site
>> Edited by MarkBarton on Wednesday 15th June 11:29
but do take something with you to keep the camera still on a long exposure!
Other examples here: <a href="http://markbarton.digimig.co.uk/c243709.html">http://markbarton.digimig.co.uk/c243709.html</a>
It was all guesswork on my part really - I've got an old film camera, and just kept the shutter open for as long as I thought it might take. It probably took the cars a good five seconds to pass the tower on that second shot, so you can get away with quite long exposures.
>> Edited for poor spelling, and to add that there are some other (better) examples of night photography in the Spa collection on the site
>> Edited by MarkBarton on Wednesday 15th June 11:29
This is my first post on the photo pages - I am usually reading and learning but I've finally found a subject I can contribute to!!!!
My suggestion would be get into one of the stands opposite the pits in the early hours when there are no marshals around. This will give you a clear view of the pit lane without the fencing in the way.
Set your tripod up, zoom in on a garage and wait for a car to pit. Snap away with exposures on shutter priority from a couple of seconds upwards. I got some great shots of a crisp car / garage with a blur of mechanics running around it.
I can't go this year so am very envious! Enjoy.....
Longers
My suggestion would be get into one of the stands opposite the pits in the early hours when there are no marshals around. This will give you a clear view of the pit lane without the fencing in the way.
Set your tripod up, zoom in on a garage and wait for a car to pit. Snap away with exposures on shutter priority from a couple of seconds upwards. I got some great shots of a crisp car / garage with a blur of mechanics running around it.
I can't go this year so am very envious! Enjoy.....
Longers
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