Motorsport/trackday photo tips?
Discussion
Hi all.
I'm going to castle combe this weekend and am hoping to get some half decent shots of some people I know when they're on track.
I've been several times before but not since I got decent photography gear. My plan is to get there early to give me time to practise panning and think about where to stand etc.
Just wondered if anyone had any good tips they could share? Any good angles? Good places to stand at combe? suggestions of shutter speeds etc?
I'll be using a 5D and one question is to other Canon users would you recommend the AI Servo focus? or a better method?
I'll be using my 70-200, poss with a 2x converter. I'll be taking a monopod (only just got one so a bit of learning to be done there too).
Cheers
I'm going to castle combe this weekend and am hoping to get some half decent shots of some people I know when they're on track.
I've been several times before but not since I got decent photography gear. My plan is to get there early to give me time to practise panning and think about where to stand etc.
Just wondered if anyone had any good tips they could share? Any good angles? Good places to stand at combe? suggestions of shutter speeds etc?
I'll be using a 5D and one question is to other Canon users would you recommend the AI Servo focus? or a better method?
I'll be using my 70-200, poss with a 2x converter. I'll be taking a monopod (only just got one so a bit of learning to be done there too).
Cheers
Hey up Dave,
No specific tips for CC as I haven't shot there but think of your backgrounds. Try to avoid too many orange vests/cones/vans etc. Also, for panning, position yourself so that your body is square on to the point you want to fire the trigger then rotate from there. You then end up being in the right position at the point of firing.
Another one, try putting the base of the monopod in a pocket or something about waist height as it pivots with you then whilst still supporting the camera. You will need the monopod with a 2x on the front imo.
Try to get some ¾ shots as well as just pans as well as they are usually more interesting.
Then enjoy your day
No specific tips for CC as I haven't shot there but think of your backgrounds. Try to avoid too many orange vests/cones/vans etc. Also, for panning, position yourself so that your body is square on to the point you want to fire the trigger then rotate from there. You then end up being in the right position at the point of firing.
Another one, try putting the base of the monopod in a pocket or something about waist height as it pivots with you then whilst still supporting the camera. You will need the monopod with a 2x on the front imo.
Try to get some ¾ shots as well as just pans as well as they are usually more interesting.
Then enjoy your day
Sat 21st April - performance car action day?
If the marshalls are kind (they are sometimes at track days) then get yourself into the pit lane entrance. You get great shots as they tip into the start finish straight through Camp corner.
If not you may be able to get on the pit wall.
Otherwise - walk from the pits towards quarry and on the raised banking at Folly is good. Just off the banking between Folly and Avon rise you can get quite close to the circuit.
Don't forget Quarry also, that's a classic corner for incidents.
My 70-200 was OK, although the 1.4x convertor helped. Being just the F4 LUSM I tend to hand hold.
Tower is also quite good as a corner and there's usually Bristol TVR? marshalling
If the marshalls are kind (they are sometimes at track days) then get yourself into the pit lane entrance. You get great shots as they tip into the start finish straight through Camp corner.
If not you may be able to get on the pit wall.
Otherwise - walk from the pits towards quarry and on the raised banking at Folly is good. Just off the banking between Folly and Avon rise you can get quite close to the circuit.
Don't forget Quarry also, that's a classic corner for incidents.
My 70-200 was OK, although the 1.4x convertor helped. Being just the F4 LUSM I tend to hand hold.
Tower is also quite good as a corner and there's usually Bristol TVR? marshalling
[quote=bramley]Just wondered if anyone had any good tips they could share? Any good angles? Good places to stand at combe? suggestions of shutter speeds etc?
[quote]
there are some excellent tips/tutorials from a guy called KennyG in the motorsports section on http://photography-on-the.net/forum/
d
edit: actual post link: http://photography-on-the.net/forum/s
[quote]
there are some excellent tips/tutorials from a guy called KennyG in the motorsports section on http://photography-on-the.net/forum/
d edit: actual post link: http://photography-on-the.net/forum/s
Edited by F308 MAN on Tuesday 17th April 15:10
On the raised bit by Camp corner looking down Dean straight (and the pit straight) is a good vantage point. No fencing in the way. You can see the place (grass) top left here:
www.stevecarter.com/combe2/9.jpg
Steve
www.stevecarter.com/combe2/9.jpg
Steve
matthew_h said:
luca brazzi said:
Don't be afraid to angle your shots...sometimes it works sometimes it doesn't...see here:
I'd say definitely don't do angled shots as I think they look awful imo.
As I said, sometimes they help add that bit of extra impact, hence the comparison shots above....one of which you previously said you really liked
LB
No shadow of doubt for me - get yourself to the exit of Quarry where you get a great shot of the horror on their faces as they slide across the grass into the tyre wall. First lap specials with cold tyres and early doors shots - be ready! Oh, and for me being a lazt bustard it is right next to the car park!
matthew_h said:
It was the visor reflection ones wasn't it.
Yep
But you highlight an interesting point. One day something looks great and different and punchy, another day it can look boring, over used, and failing.
I'll no doubt be doing the same again this weekend, mixing the flat with the angled, and we'll see what people think. And if its bright enough, I'll use the polariser on the 28-75, leaving the 70-200 and 300 clear. By the way, do you know where I can look for a drop in polariser for the 300mm?
Thanks,
LB
F308 MAN said:
there are some excellent tips/tutorials from a guy called KennyG in the motorsports section on http://photography-on-the.net/forum/
Ken knows his stuff. I've picked up a hell of a lot of good tips from him and a few others on that site, it's well worth a look.
Personally, tilted shots do nothing for me and pan after pan gets a bit boring, but that's your choice to make
Shutter speeds. Shoot shutter priority, use the centre focus point and AI Servo (don't let the camera choose AF points) - For head-on & 3/4 shots stick to a maximum of 1/400th, preferably 1/320th. Try and keep the aperture at f8 (ish) use the ISO settings to acheive the required aperture.
If you're panning start at 1/250th and lower the shutter speed as you get the hang of it. No need to worry about aperture settings for pans but make sure your sensor is clean or it might show.
Always keep the sun (if there is any) behind you. It'll light up the inside of the cars nicely and Track day drivers like to see themselves
Edited by monkeyhanger on Tuesday 17th April 16:50
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