Advice needed please....

[Fonzi]

Evening all.

Hoping you can help , i have been lucky enough to get a pass for a local track day near me and the past few times i have been for drift days an other track days i have left thinking - the shots i got were ok but they didnt make me feel like i had done a good enough job.There are a few guys there who have been there and doing this a lot longer than me but always come away with shots were i feel i should take mine down - ( proper small violin moment). I use a Canon 600d as have just bought a Sigma 70-200mm f2.8.After looking at shots on here i am amazed at how good they are and hoping someone can offer me some advice on settings i.e - user def , af points etc.I normally soot using TV mode an adjust shutter speed accordingly depending on what look im after.Most shots don't come out as sharp as i would like or have that look / angle / action that they other guys seem to get using some similar equipment.Is it just a case of practice?

Thanks

Dave

 

[MattyW]

Evening all.

Hoping you can help , i have been lucky enough to get a pass for a local track day near me and the past few times i have been for drift days an other track days i have left thinking - the shots i got were ok but they didnt make me feel like i had done a good enough job.There are a few guys there who have been there and doing this a lot longer than me but always come away with shots were i feel i should take mine down - ( proper small violin moment). I use a Canon 600d as have just bought a Sigma 70-200mm f2.8.After looking at shots on here i am amazed at how good they are and hoping someone can offer me some advice on settings i.e - user def , af points etc.I normally soot using TV mode an adjust shutter speed accordingly depending on what look im after.Most shots don't come out as sharp as i would like or have that look / angle / action that they other guys seem to get using some similar equipment.Is it just a case of practice?

Thanks

Dave

Practice is certainly key, however, there's loads of things that contribute to a great shot.
Lighting is super important, and making the most of the available lighting conditions, and using them to your advantage is a big factor in getting the best out of the opportunity.
This and composition. Think about how the shot will appear as a shot, where the car will sit, what elements you can include to add interest to the shot, what elements you need to avoid (cones/marshalls) etc.
These will make a big difference when it comes to processing the shot later.
The settings you need depend on the sort of shot you are going for. You say you have a media pass. Who are you shooting for? What sort of shots do they require?
More than likely if you are shooting for someone, they won't be wanting the brave artistic type of shots, probably a more stock, relatively frozen shot with a touch of wheel blur.
Depending on the speed of the cars, factor in shooting at 1/400 or less, this will be enough to give some blur to the tyres, and remove the tread pattern. Ideally a 1/200th is good for front 3/4 shots.
Personally I use M the majority of the time, as I learned this way, and am fast and comfortable when switching settings. AV or TV would do the trick just as well.
AI servo is kind, also switching about your AF point, this can really help with composition.
Finally post processing. If you've got the majority of the above right in camera, there is very little that needs doing in post - The light has done all the work.
You've got very capable kit there, and I'd advise practicing as much as possible (by a fast moving road or similar) to get your technique dialled in totally, and you'll be good to go when you hit the track.

 

[aserota]

I'd just recommend posting up your photos (whether you're happy with them or not) to the forum and getting feedback. There's so really knowledgeable guys and girls on the forum. Besides that practice makes perfect

 

[Matt_B]

I'd just recommend posting up your photos (whether you're happy with them or not) to the forum and getting feedback. There's so really knowledgeable guys and girls on the forum. Besides that practice makes perfect

Agree with this above. Some worthwhile C&C can work wonders.

 

[The Image Team]

If you have all day, go out early when the light is bad and try stuff you know will never work until it looks ok. By this I mean head straight out and start panning at 1/10th until you get a semi decent shot, the whack the shutter speed back up. If you are getting pretty good stuff at 1/10 the you will be spot on at 1/125 for example. Its about training yourself.

Where abouts are you based? If there is a local kart track nearby, get down there on a race day, pay your five pounds and get practicing. I've been doing motorsport for five years and I was down Whilton Mill on Sunday keeping my eye in ahead of my next proper shoot. Motorsport photography skills are like muscles, don't use them and they will fade so never pass up a chance at a shoot.

As for settings. I use M and unless its stupidly bright, I let the camera sort out the aperture. I work solely on shutter speed and ISO settings to get what I want. For head on shots I tend to be around 1/320 on shutter speed while I always pan as low as I can go but anything below 1/200 will give a good effect. I know it can be hard when you have cars coming at you from all directions but try to compose the shot before you hit the button.

Use the features around the track because even the most boring circuits like Rockingham and Silverstone have furniture around the venue which can make for a more interesting background. Silverstone for example has the Wing which works as a good background for pretty much any kind of photo. There is the Porsche Experience Centre on the Hangar Straight and even the grandstands make for a more interesting background. There is the Rockingham building at Rockingham or even the unused parts of the speedway which add a bit of interest to the background. Brands and Oulton are a dream, so much interest around the track to make a decent background.

Finally be guided by your client but don't stick rigidly to what they say. Get the standard shots that they are after but once you have ticked the boxes indulge yourself. So many of my clients have given me strict instructions as to what they want ahead of time but end up using my playtime shots on their articles or releases. Most of all remember its digital, all that a failed shot is going to cost you is a couple of seconds in post to delete it. Never be afraid to try.

Depending on where you are shooting, you may struggle with a 70-200. If you are going to be doing more, look into something a bit longer. My kit bag king at the moment is the Sigma 120-400 f4.5-5.6 OS HSM. It struggles a bit in lower light but it can get me close enough even through the loop at Silverstone. I would also consider a teleconverter for start shots, mine is a cheep Kenko I picked up for about £80 on eBay but it has Hoya glass in it and does the job OK. If I was shooting F1 I'd consider trading up to a Canon but for what I am doing its more than enough.