Chuckwagon racing - up close

[Oracheski]

Camera: Canon Digital Rebel
Aperture: f4.5
Focal lenght: 18mm
ISO: 400
Exposure: 1/1250

As I said on the Flickr page, there's two ways to get this shot. You can either rig your camera to the support and use a remote, or lie down under the rail. I don't have a remote, so...

Let's get it out of the way right now - this isn't something you SHOULD do. Lying down under the rail is extremely dangerous for a couple reasons. If there's a wreck on the corner, there's the potential for things to go pretty poorly for someone lying in that position.

There's also flying dirt and rocks to worry about, I had a dirt clump smash one lens. Then there's the hub on that wheel. When you're lying down there, a wagon that's riding right on the rail (as one did in the next race) will have that hub right next to, as in within a foot of, your head... If you can't keep your head down, you'll be very sorry.

That said, if you can get the clearance from track officials to go ahead and do it and you're crazy enough to be willing to do it, here's what you do.

Find a corner, preferably one where they're running toward the sun, and get right next to a pole. This will offer some protection (wagons generally roll out on corners in the event of an accident) and something to steady the camera against. It also provides you a solid safety zone - outside that pole is definitely safe...ish.

Manually focus on what you think will be the driver's seat at the time of the shot. Finding the spot will mean lying down without shooting for a race to see where they cross in front of the lens. Races aren't consistent - they'll be on the rail one race and six feet out in the next. It'll take time to get a good shot.

I'd really recommend getting a remote rig if you're thinking about doing this.

[Glayva]

Wow!!! What a stunning image. If I was taking this I would have been sxxxxxxg myself. It is amazing what some of us will go to to get a shot. This is a great shot and really shows the action. Very well done and thanks for sharing.

[derekspacelewis]

Wow great job capturing the action from super close up! Its amazing that you could get such a good shot with all those variables that could go wrong, great job and thanks for sharing.

[jiannisk]

Excellent shot. Well done

[Desdanova]

This is in your face photography. Love it.

[drewdunnrespect]

yikessssssssssss man thats a bit scary but ausome and looks ausome so thanks for sharing

[ajshroff]

Nice pic. Good job.

[C2H5OH]

How did you get permission to get there?

[Omadawn]

wow ! amazing well done

[Oracheski]

Originally Posted by C2H5OH

How did you get permission to get there?

I talked to the track officials and got their advice on where was safest, though they still said not doing it at all was the safest bet. I had to wear clothes without bright colours and lie still until all the wagons and riders were past.