Greyhound Racing Question

raathistle

raathistle

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Chris
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Me and some friends are thinking of going to bellevue stadium in manchester to watch the dogs and I'm wondering if anyone knows what the rules are for taking cameras in? I assume it should be ok but I don't know if anyone has any first hand experience.

Assuming it is ok, does anyone have any tips re timing and what shots look good. I doubt that flashes would be allowed, and don't think I would want to use one even if they were (don't want angry mob lynching me because dazzler didnt win:help: )

Cheers
 
I used to work with greyhounds at the local stadium and camera's were permitted then.
However, if I were you I would call the stadium, and ask if its ok ... things may have changed and the place may have its own rules.

I never took pics myself, too busy working, but for the most part, I noticed when the pro's were in town, the pics they went for were the dogs coming out of the bends, out of the traps and if you can move around freely ... over the winning line.

Night times used to mean the stands were rammed and movement was limited through the crowds but if you went to a daytime meeting you'd be able to move around freely and not have to worry so much about the lighting conditions.
Think Ill wait for the weather to improve a bit and go see my old workmates ... with the camera in hand of course!

Dont forget to show us your results if you go! :)
 
Hi Mate, I cant see them stoping you taking pictures after all almost everyone these days carries some form of camera. As for shooting forget flash you will be too far away. I would say that you need a 200mm lens minimum and I would shoot in shutter priority at 250- 500th, but at this speed you need to crank up your iso maybe to 1600 or greater (take some test shots to see) WB needs to be set for the track lighting as well. If you have seen the cover of a blur album? you see the dogs coming round the bend and it looks cool. I also like to pan the camera, but dont forget if using an IS lens to switch to mode 2...hope this helps...Ian
 
Thanks for the tips.

I don't think that getting good views should be a problem as the last couple of times we've been it wasn't too bad.

Thats a good point about the blur album, I'd completely forgotten about it (oops)

Cheers
 
Having contacted the ground (email unfortunately as no answer for phone :thumbsdown: ) apparently cameras aren't allowed in the restaurant because they might distract the dogs, but my question of whether they are allowed trackside wasn't answered.

Oh well, guess its not worth attempting as I don't want to trust some goon with my gear.

Thanks for the tips anyway
 
That's sounds a bit daft if you ask me. I've been to birthday parties etc at dog tracks and people were taking loads of photos in the restaurant.

I would ask again regarding trackside photography.
 
I agree with jason, & Id try again ...did you speak to the race manager?
Dont really know anything about the restaurant side ... wasnt allowed up there with the peeps in suits when I smelled of the dawgies, :shrug:
 
Thanks for the help. I tried phoning them but could never get through. It turns out it is allowed trackside, but no flashes obviously.

I didn't take the camera this time, but next time you can bet i will do.
 
I used to go to the local greyhound stadium quite a lot a few years back, but it was work related so I wasn't really that interested . It always struck me as a fantastic photo opportunity though, and I recall seeing newspaper togs at the trackside taking shots - no flash obviously, so I don't think you'll have any problems from staff.

You should definitely do it, the conbination of floodlighting and those incredibly fast dogs should make for some stunning shots. I'd be inclined to go for shots either coming out of a bend or out of the starting traps.
 
Remembering what the view at Belle Vue is like for the speedway, I'm guessing you wouldn't see an awful lot of the dogs from trackside, which might be why they have only responded to you in relation to the restaurant area. There is an area of terracing in front of the restaurant/bar, but the viewing from there is shocking.
 
Having been on saturday I can tell you the viewing there is almost perfect for photography. the dogs are at slightly lower than my eye level, and the outer fence (basically exactly the same as a horse track) does not interfere with shots unless the dogs are running very wide.

Also coming out of the turns the dogs are in perfect view, especially if you get the other side of the bookies stalls, which is no problem.

I really wish I had taken my camera now, and definately will when we go back.
 
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