Posts Tagged ‘motorsport photography’
You must know the feeling. You’ve bought countless numbers of motorcycle magazines and admired the amazing race photos of crazy fast machines battling it out for that last inch on the race track. You psyche yourself up so that the next time you go to a race you’ll be ready and able to capture pictures just like in the magazines. You are now officially interested in motorsport photography and ready to rock and roll. Now how is this actually accomplished?
1) A DSLR Is A Must
It’s been said that pure talent is enough in most types of photography, with equipment playing a minor role however motorsports is one of the rare exceptions where you definitely need special equipment. A good example of this would be when an aspiring photographer with an average skill level with a point and shoot can capture a beautiful landscape image while a relative newbie could totally botch it up with a state of the art DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex). All the skills in the world will not help you capture a motorcycle traveling at speeds over 200mph: One needs a DSLR for that. Specifically it is the speed and control a DSLR offers.
The main features that come into play is a high frames per second shooting mode, high-speed auto focus, and near-absence of shutter lag. The faster the above is usually better although today even an entry-level DSLR will do the job. A higher end, fast DSLR will definitely make your life easier. As for lenses, obviously the longer zoom range you have the more options are open to you but that doesn’t mean having a short lens will mean it’s hopeless. Work with what you have, and don’t spend time dreaming about what you don’t have.
3) Understanding The Track Layout
Unless you’ve been to the track numerous times, it’s important to explore the track as best as you can to scope out acceptable potential spots to shoot from. If you have never been to a racetrack at all you will see it’s simple to get caught off guard by the sheer size of the track premises. Many times just moving from one side of the track to the other can easily be a 20 minute walk or much more.
When it’s actually time to shoot the race, you want to know the exact locations you’ll go after you’ve finished capturing all the pictures you wanted at a particular spot. By not being prepared you’ll most likely end up getting stuck in the same position the entire time or worse, miss numerous laps (possibly even the rest of the race) by walking around looking for another suitable spot to shoot from. Race weekends usually include practice sessions for the racers. You can use them as your practice sessions too.
3) Totally Embracing The Sport
Having a good understanding of the sport is not necessary to take great motorsports shots but it can at least decrease the learning curve a bit and allow you to quickly move up the ranks to being a motorsport photographer. For example take a look at motorcycle racing. Were you looking to get a pic of racers dragging their knees? It’s best to position yourself at tight, relatively high speed corners to get a good one.
How about a motorcyclist tucked in low and tight behind the windscreen? Stay away from the braking zones where the racers need to sit up to prepare for corner entry. Need to capture a stand-up wheelie shot? No one will be trying any celebratory antics in the middle of a race, so wait until the end.
Although the above three tips may give you a head start of sorts, what they can’t replace is practice and an inevitable amount of trial and error. The first time out may prove to be a rude awakening, but once you get more acquainted with the speed of your subjects and the capabilities of your equipment, it will come together soon enough. Most of all, have fun!