Shooting off road racers - DPChallenge Forums

11/27/2006 05:18:23 PM · #1

HOW??

Daytime, middle of the desert, fast moving cars. I am not looking for perfect, just would love to get some good shots for their website. ANY help would be greatly appreciated. I post them when I get home, sat night or sunday. Thanks in advance guys.

Edit to add..... if your in the area and want to take some photos its a fun event, benefiting toys for tots.

Message edited by author 2006-11-27 17:21:44.

eckoe

Canon EOS-5D Mark III

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

11/27/2006 05:38:38 PM · #2

I'm interested, in CO. Don't have a travel budget, but if I can pull it off, I'll do what I can. Anything for Toys for Tots. :)

I used to shoot Autocross events for friends, Panning is your friend, Get a tripod with a pan head to keep things easy, a remote release is handy too. Knowing where the car is going to be, and being there is the key point. Off road will be alot messier than pavement racing, so you'll want to be in a place where dust won't obscure. Continuous mode would have rocked for me (was shooting film at the time, and didn't have continuous).

Almost every event does a track walkthrough... be there for it. Even if you're not driving. Get to know the race support crew, you might need them to be a "spotter" for you to be able to get to areas. they basically make sure that they're always watching the cars you're NOT watching, preventing you from going splat...

Let me know via PM or email the details for the event, and I'll see what I can do.

11/27/2006 05:58:00 PM · #3

lspr thread has some info

lspr portfolio has some images.

Basically-

- If there are different stages (legs) find out what and where they are.

- Curves are good for good dirt spray, straight aways for pan-action

- Find out where any jumps may be, catching the car in mid-air rocks.

- You'll probably only get one chance per car, if you are shooting for a specific car practice settings on the cars in front of them. Knowing the order the cars are in is good in this situation.

- Take your fastest lens.

- Know the safety zones and where cars can end up if they go out of control, marshalls will tell you where it's safe.

- Have the team finagle you a media pass, that way you can sign your life away for the saaa-weet spots for photos.

- Always always always know where the cars are.

From a curve

Getting bored with 100+ mph cars:

Pan baby, pan!

Personally I would recommend against a tripod (esp. depending on the race format) but Robert seems to like them so you now have two opposing viewpoints :)

eta:
always always always know where the cars are and where they might lose control This is a shot from a spot I was going to stand at, luckily I opted not to. This was in a "safe" spot.

Message edited by author 2006-11-27 18:00:34.

fotomann_forever

11/27/2006 06:04:01 PM · #4

What they said...

And watch your *ss, stay in safe areas. Cars racing are already on the verge of being out of control. One slip and they are barreling at you. NOT FUN - believe me.

FWIW, I haven't done the Off-road thing, but have done Round track on both asphalt and dirt. Shooting racing is fun, probably as much fun as you'll ever have shooting a sport.

Message edited by author 2006-11-27 18:04:37.

Azrifel

Fujifilm X100VI

11/27/2006 06:06:41 PM · #5

What Alfresco said + make sure you are not on the part of the corner where cars end up of they screw up. That's mostly outside of the exit and the midpoint of the corner and inside exit of the corner (the latter because of overcorrection). Also, when there is a big jump, be close to the jump because when the driver makes a mistake the damage will be well after the landing spot. Talk to drivers about it.
It is cool to have access to interesting spots, great when you get a car flipping over, but best when you can show those without your arm in a fancy white tube or worse.

Edit: While I needed a couple of minutes to type this, cheesedude said the same. :)

Message edited by author 2006-11-27 18:07:49.

Sigma 15-30mm f/3.5-4.5 EX Aspherical DG DF for Minolta

11/27/2006 06:13:20 PM · #6

Spectator safety from Rally America, some good information here.

Also, some events (Rally in particular) will close a stage if a spectator steps onto the road during the race - you don't want to become a hated person :)

See where the media photogs are, but use common sense; and if available stand behind a tree (in your case a boulder if no trees are present).

MrEd

Sony DSLR-A100

11/27/2006 06:16:47 PM · #7

Originally posted by liltritter:

Originally posted by eckoe:

Christine, where are you and where/when is the event? Maybe I can hook up with

eckoe and come over and help.

P.S. If you're not used to shooting moving cars...go to the nearest major road or highway and you can practice panning.

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

11/27/2006 06:19:20 PM · #8

You guys are awsome!! Wanna see the the track, have it up both google and a racer map. the race. They have guys that go out on the track and get the pictures. I am staying to the start/finish. I am hoping to get shots of the guys bringing the toys, getting together and just having fun. Thinking that friday at 5pm, bringing some lighting and getting what i can the night before. Then hoping for a group shot..... would be over 100 folks to get in tho. I think it would be awsome for the drivers to have shots of the event to remember. Have a thank you designed that goes to the printer tomorrow. Last year they collected thousands and thousands of toys in just this one event they deserve something back :)

Event is friday and saturday comming up. Wasnt planing photos until today thats why the short notice on the questions.

Message edited by author 2006-11-27 18:20:54.

Ecce_Signum

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

11/27/2006 06:21:04 PM · #9

This may be off topic (slightly) but this is what I call car control!

Smart F2 Diablo Lugo the driver appears to be the safest person around lol

eckoe

Canon EOS-5D Mark III

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

11/27/2006 07:11:00 PM · #10

Damn Mojave beeing so far away... If I still lived in CA I'd drive down for it.

I shot well with the tripod, but I've shot both ways, it's probably a preference. It allowed me to not concentrate, and just follow the car, but it was flat, offroad, all bets are off. I'd have one ready, and try both, see which you like.

This will be a blast for you though. Good luck, and if you can, post some here!

MrEd

Sony DSLR-A100

Sigma 15-30mm f/3.5-4.5 EX Aspherical DG DF for Minolta

11/27/2006 07:28:09 PM · #11

Originally posted by eckoe:

Damn Mojave beeing so far away...

Same here......I'm working Saturday and have a tournament Sunday.

fotomann_forever

11/27/2006 07:28:58 PM · #12

I've never shot racing with a tripod, even at night... seems it would be hard to me, especially with cars that not only move forward, but vertically.

fotomann_forever

11/27/2006 07:29:24 PM · #13

Originally posted by eckoe:

Damn Mojave beeing so far away... If I still lived in CA I'd drive down for it.

I'd love to be there... :-)

MrEd

Sony DSLR-A100

Sigma 15-30mm f/3.5-4.5 EX Aspherical DG DF for Minolta

11/27/2006 07:31:17 PM · #14

Originally posted by fotomann_forever:

I've never shot racing with a tripod, even at night... seems it would be hard to me, especially with cars that not only move forward, but vertically.

Beat me to it. I wouldn't use a tripod. I shot drag racers and it's much easier without. Even more so offroaders, straight flat maybe....but, if they go airborne, take different lines around a turn, etc. no tripod should be easier to follow.

eckoe

Canon EOS-5D Mark III

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

11/27/2006 08:09:29 PM · #15

The above was taken on a tripod. The scan sucks, cause I had some storage issues with the shots from this set, and haven't scanned the negative yet.

I was shooting for this specific shot, and had trouble making this shot the day before (remember this was film, so no instant feedback) I switched to the tripod for day 2 with much better success overall. I was able to lock all axis but one, and just focus on the right-left timing.

Once I got the rythmn I probably could have gone back off the tripod, but haven't been put in that situation since, so am not sure if I'd want/need the tripod or not. Either way, it really made me realize the importance of having the tripod around no matter if you think you need it or not. :) (side lesson)

Offroad probably is a good point, could possibly limit your potential.

Practicing near a highway is fun too.

Either way, will be a fun, and exciting event for you.

Azrifel

Fujifilm X100VI

11/28/2006 01:59:10 AM · #16

Originally posted by eckoe:

...I switched to the tripod for day 2 with much better success overall. I was able to lock all axis but one, and just focus on the right-left timing.

That's why I like to use a VR lens while panning with slow shutterspeeds. It senses you are panning and will only correct for up and down movements.

Tamron AF 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di LD Aspherical IF for Canon

11/28/2006 03:15:52 AM · #17

Sorry so long getting back to read this thread, work kept calling. Work keeps getting in the way of my hobbies, grrr. :) Well in the future if you guys would like a race GTG let me know, ill let you know the schedule for 07. Could be fun. Thanks for all the ideas, I will try all of them. Will post (showoff) the best and the worst I get this weekend.

pix-al

Canon EOS-5D

11/28/2006 05:58:54 AM · #18

The next round of the world rally championship, Rally GB, is on in my area this weekend so I will be out shooting some off roaders too!

I will post up some of my shots in this thread next week too... :-)

11/28/2006 12:44:39 PM · #19

Equipment check

Camera
both lenses
Tripod -- Gonna try both
1 gig +4 gig cards Shooting raw
sb600 + several sets of batteries
Laptop + card reader cause I just know I don't have enough cards
Layers and layers and layers of clothes lol its cold and threatening snow atm. I hope it passes before weekend.

Anything I forgot?

11/28/2006 12:47:00 PM · #20

Originally posted by pix-al:

Oh very cool! :) Can't wait to see them.

11/28/2006 12:50:28 PM · #21

One last tip - if you're going to shoot the cars with the flash don't fire until they are even with you or have gone by, firing into their eyes can be detrimental to the health and well being of a number of people.

Extras:
Battery charger for the D70, just in case.

Have fun!!!!!

:)

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

11/28/2006 01:06:57 PM · #22

alfresco, thanks, forgot abuot the batteries, add 4 batteries to my list lol, not sure there is a place to plug in the charger. The flash is for the night before when they meet, greet, and collect the toys. Hadn't thought about using the flash if they are driving, thanks for the heads up, didn't think of it.

quiet_observation

Canon EOS-7D

11/28/2006 01:17:00 PM · #23

If it's wet/snowing - plastic zip bags for equipment.

11/28/2006 01:30:38 PM · #24

Originally posted by liltritter:

not sure there is a place to plug in the charger.

I keep a cheapy $30 inverter in the car just in case :)