RaceTrack Photography

[Alan B]

Last weekend was my first time at a Motor Bicycle race, and I shot a lot of photos. It was great fun and some of them worked out well, but I would like to discuss ideas about doing this with others who probably have a lot more experience doing this. There was one other ebiker there with a big Canon DSLR and a couple other large cameras, and the fleet of small cameras and cellphones. I heard one cellphone user complaining that the subject was gone by the time the phone clicked.

We decided to attend this race at the last minute, so not a lot of planning went into equipment or technique. I did grab a few good sized empty cards and a few lenses and my best DSLR, a D7000. On the track I tried a few things but settled into shooting bursts at 2 frames per second with an 18-200 stabilized lens. I should have tried the 70-300 but I was concerned that 70 would not be wide enough and didn't try it. I used ISO 200 and Program mode. I carried an extra battery but didn't use it, taking over 1500 frames on the first battery which was not even fully charged to start. There are probably better autofocus settings to use, I didn't dig into that. Have to review that.

So what are some good things to try? Good lens choices? Other thoughts and experiences??

Here are some photos selected from the full set:

https://picasaweb.google.com/1158081452 ... directlink

[GMUseless]

Looks pretty good. The classic race photo is to use a technique called 'dragging the shutter'. The idea is to pan your camera with the object you're shooting, keeping it sharp and blurring the background. Go manual, and start off with about 1/60. It takes some practice. The better you get, the longer you drag the shutter, 1/15 etc. Getting on a tripod helps once you get the feel for it. It's a numbers technique= 1 keeper out of 50 sort of thing.

Another thing to set your photos apart: if you're going to freeze all motion with a high shutter speed, try to get a tight depth of field by shooting aperature priority at your widest aperture.

When I shoot high motion like sports...I'll often go to full manual, setting a wide aperature and a high shutter speed. Then, I'll set the ISO to Auto and let the camera swing that for exposure. It's like the best of both worlds. If your body will do Auto ISO you can try that.

[MikeFairbanks]

The image quality is great, especially in that high contrast situation.

I'd recommend what GMuseless said (practice panning).

Get some tighter shots (fill the frame with more rider and less desert....but keep doing the big desert stuff too for perspective).

Get on the ground and shoot up, get on a tall ladder or platform and shoot down. Don't shoot just from eye level.

I shot these while lying on the ground.







It can give it a dramatic look (but women don't like to be shot from below...it doesn't work as well for some reason).


And sometimes you just want to get up close and personal; really fill the frame.




Of course, my subjects weren't moving 45mph.


And remember that if you take one of your photos and crop it (sometimes rotating it 10-30 degrees or more), it can change the entire photograph.

[dingoEsride]

Great photo's, I know pauld gave his bike away but what happened to the front of it?
hope all had a great time which i'm sure was the case

[auraslip]

Great pictures. Really nice actually!

I have to say.... ebikes look kinda funny.

Small wheels just don't look right. I'm glad I ordered 18" wheels instead of 17" rims like the ones pictured.
It's an awesome looking bike though. No expenses spared for sure. Is that some type of stabilizer he has on the handle bars?
Great looking suit too. The whole getup really looks nifty.

What were the end results? stevil won in his class, but how did he place in the unlimited? What happened to farfle's double pie?

[Alan B]

PaulD kept his batteries so Acuteaero is rebuilding it.

The Greyborg frame was made for 26" wheels so the smaller ones do look a bit different.

Farfle's two pi got hot enough the Sevcon controller backed off and he lost his momentum. He partly pedaled and powered through the rest of the race.

They shuffled the schedule a bit, it was hard to keep track of it. I don't think they ran all the races they planned.

[liveforphysics]

You took some fantastic picture Alan! Thank you for doing such a great job! I hope you can attend more events with that great camera setup and skills.

[nicobie]

Nice pics Alan!

Good job.

[Stevil_Knevil]

From one Motorized Bicycle Racing first-timer to another, I must say that you did an excellent job, Alan! Your Grange collection has a nice mix of full frame fill and wider shots that are practically narrative, but it is not just about great racing action shots.

After finishing ahead of the field in the 'Mid Range + eBikes + Mopeds' final, I rolled into the pits, parked my 'Borg (was I the only guy using a kickstand?) pulled off my helmet and turned to see Luke walking over. He asks, "How did you do?" With a freshly applied racing eBike grin, I reply, "I beat them all!" His hand goes up and we step in for a High 5..



..the very moment I felt I was part of a team - and you captured that, too!

Anyway, I am interested to see what you would come up with if you take some shots from the infield next time

[auraslip]

Stevil - those were by far my favorite pictures in the set

[knoxie]

Yes Alan they are great pictures!! you really captured the moment, I have just bought myself a Canon 600D, amazing bit of kit after quite a while with the manual and lots of net surfing I am pulling some great shots and the video is sublime too, will use it on my next ebike shoot for sure.

Thanks again and congrats to Stevil too, I have been following Stevils antics for nearly 10 years!! a true legend well done buddy! crikey was it that long ago that you raced your mini moto? that ran on lead acid batts too!!

[MikeFairbanks]

Also, whether you own a Canon or not, this website is the number one source for learning. No matter your level, people are extremely helpful, and because so many people use the site, you get feedback on your questions very quickly.

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/

[Stevil_Knevil]

Thanks again and congrats to Stevil too, I have been following Stevils antics for nearly 10 years!! a true legend well done buddy! crikey was it that long ago that you raced your mini moto? that ran on lead acid batts too!!

Thanks, man Ha! That is right, Knoxie ..nearly 10 years. Embarrassed a lot of gassers with big, stupid heavy SLAs back then. I used to be terrified at the thought of using R/C lithium-polymer cells, but with the experience and contributions from you and many other Sphereites, I am completely comfortable running LiPO. The benefits of the new found power -> weight ratio from this chemistry is nothing short of amazing. These ARE the good 'ole days!

It would be all kinds of cool if mixed Motorized Bicycle Racing caught on in UK. I can imagine you out there taking awesome snaps - in between running your heats

[knoxie]

Hi Steve

Yes its amazing how quickly things have moved on isnt it, I quickly went from lead, to Nimh to Lipo and havent looked back, If I couldnt use Lipo I simply wouldnt bother with it, thats how good it is I started off with pack managed (BMS) Lipo in the form of packaged cells but moved quickly on to RC for their simplicity, cost and amazing performance. Your bike looks great! love the Borg

Ebike racing would be a lot of fun and we have mentioned it a few times over here, there isnt much of a motorised bike scene here though, not that I am aware of any way, the cops are really hot on it as its a big no no, you can fly totally under the radar if you go electric though as I have been doing for 10 years! ha ha.

Again very well done on the bike and race win much Kudos for giving the trophy away as well (kind of makes a point too) ha ha, the photos and videos are what proves the point, trophies literally mean nothing.

I am looking forward to seeing more video and photos

Knoxie

[Alan B]

Thanks for all the great tips and comments everyone.

I was so busy shooting stills and visiting with all the ES folks and others at the meet, I didn't shoot any video.

[knoxie]

No hangup al! your photos are brilliant the on bike videos already posted really give us a sense of the race to be honest, very hard to compete with front and rear mounted gopros gotta love that! The video mode on modern DSLRS is stunning, the low light performance of my D600 is incredible.

The shots you have got of Steve are brilliant and the high 5 moment with Luke is classic, kinda retro looking! (I think thats Steves 50's hair and sideburns ) very cool pictures