Shooting Sports

[Darren Rowse]

once again - great work Jim. Going to promote this up to the blog again. Thanks again - your tutorials are always so helpful.

[Jim Bryant]

Not a problem.............many thanks again.

Thanks Jim. I would add one or more things to your list.

This applies to shooting motor sports, as shooting 1/1000th sec. doesn't always look good when the car is suppose to look like it's moving. You can use this, but expect all of your cars to look like they are standing still (trust me, it just looks odd).

I advise people to start at 1/200th and work your way down to as slow as 1/40th.

#2. Get to know the people at the track. My first time shooting motorsports I made sure to make nice with the track officials and the promoter. I got special access to parts that the public was allowed to go. I was even invited back and a special pass to off limits areas to take photos.

#3. Make nice with the low-on-the-totem-pole guys. These guys have full discretion when it comes to you being in their way. I got to stand in the corner works booth with the worker and take shots.

#4. Learn to pan... it's really not that hard, I'm honest... It's not that hard. Use Continuous servo mode. You'll thank me.

#5. While the cars are neat, in reality people gravitate towards human interest stories. Take photos of the pit workers, the flag man, officials and big wigs. You never know who will be famous some day. A friend of mine has photos from the 60's and 70's of Carrol Shelby, Paul Newman and Mario Andretti... BEFORE they made it big.

I'm sure there's more I can add, Jim. Anymore you might add to covering motorsports?

~Eric

[Jim Bryant]

I used to cover the Laguna Seca in Monterey and the Daytona 500, it's been years since, but you seem to have covered it. Only thing I'd do a little different is get shots of the crazy race lovers too.

[burridge]

Thank you always something to learn even if its not your subject matter. ~DB

[mamarus68]

thank you for the informations. I never shoot sport activities before but I will try my 1st shoot this Sunday.

[MattWalker53]

Jim and Max thanks for these great explanations on how to shoot sports. So far Ive only been shooting motorsports and rugby, with some ok results but now i have more to work with thanks again.

Matt