Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Tips for Photographing a Motorcycle Race

The motorcycle race is a very exciting event with many dynamics at work. If you get the chance to capture the images of this event then the sheer immediacy of the environment will be hard to reinvent. The fact that this is an outdoor activity means that you get plenty of good light. The cars add color and interest to the whole project. There is no need to invest in expensive gear or high technical training. Just follow these tips and you will be on your way:

1. Ensure that the equipment you are using is appropriate for the job: In an effort to get cheap stuff you could be tempted to use equipment that is just not suitable for the role. A canon or Nikon SLR camera is recommended. Try to find a zoom that can deliver between 70 and 200 f2.8 units. Make sure that the item you purchase has an auto focus facility. A tele-converter will make your work easier. For storage purposes it is advisable to have at least 2GB ready. The other items that you need include a quick release head and a mono pod.

2. Take the time to look at the track in detail: The best photographs are taken when you are in a dramatic corner. The straightway is a good place to use as well because that is where the drivers pass and draft. You do not need to cover the entire track. Rather you should restrict your work to a few quality shots. A single location is enough to see 50% of the track. Move to the areas where the real battles are taking place.

3. Get your equipment ready in time: You should start off with a shutter speed of 1/500 per second. Failure to do this will mean that you are subject to shakes as you try to capture wheel spins. A mono pad should only be used if you trust your hands to be steady. Slow shooting requires calm nerves and the ability to spot the most interesting situations. The depth of the speed is not nearly as important as the shutter speed. Where it is clear that you need to do so, boost the ISO levels.

4. Use your technical prowess to shoot: For beginners you should set the camera to a continuous auto focus as well as the burst drive. You should focus on the grille and follow it with your camera. The shooting has to continue until the object or car has passed. You can turn on the focus using the manual controls and then wait for the car to zoom into the frame. The second technique should be used for corners.

You do not have to be a professional photographer before shooting motorcycle races. In fact many novices have been able to come up with iconic images.

Please check these links to find more details on Motorcycle Blog and Motorcycle Race Blog related news.


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1 comment:

  1. I agree with you You should start off with a shutter speed of 1/500 per second.
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