Riponian Stages Rally Take 2 - 56k Beware [Archive] - Canon Digital Photography Forums

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Simon Harrison

6th of February 2006 (Mon), 15:16

I was also at the Riponian Rally this weekend. Saturday was a day of glorious blue sky and sunshine. Unfortunately, Sunday was the exact opposite with grey leaden skies all day, and the coldest 8 deg C I've ever experienced! If the pictures look a bit dark, then that's because it's how it was - never dipped below ISO800 all day. I used a manual meter for the full day and have to say I was more than please with the results. I also experimented with a grey card for a while. Not happy at all with the custom WB setting I got, although I'm sure it must be down to user error:oops: - I'll have to try again. Anyway, some shots from the day:-

Stage 1 got underway at 0830hrs with the cars running at minute intervals. Stage 2 was a re-run of stage 1, and started at 0844hrs with the lead cars merging in at 30 second intervals. Seemed to work pretty well, with very few catching slower cars. Light was a bit scarce though! (20D + 70-200mm f4 L)
http://www.srh-motorsport-photography.com/Galleries/forum/Riponian05/05-02-06---086.jpg

This car was being driven by the son of the owner as a shakedown for the Robin Hood Stages next month. That entry has now been withdrawn as the car was rolled and damaged later in the day. Thankfully, only the crew's wallets were injured.

There were quite a few Mk1 Escorts running. Here's another shot of the car that Geoff posted on his thread (20D + 85mm f1.8)
http://www.srh-motorsport-photography.com/Galleries/forum/Riponian05/05-02-06---025.jpg

There were two Sunbeam's running - Taxi anyone? (20D + 85mm f1.8)
http://www.srh-motorsport-photography.com/Galleries/forum/Riponian05/05-02-06---142.jpg

This Puma won the award for the loudest anti lag system, particularly as I always seemed to be stood right next to his gear change point! (20D + 85 f1.8)
http://www.srh-motorsport-photography.com/Galleries/forum/Riponian05/05-02-06---008.jpg

A lot of local drivers were entered into the event. Here's Alan Richardson and Christopher Roe in their Nova (one of my target cars) - 20D + 85mm f1.8
http://www.srh-motorsport-photography.com/Galleries/forum/Riponian05/05-02-06---127.jpg

This is one of my personal favourite shots from the day. I had this shot in mind when I walked into stage, but unfortunately poor light and f4 lenses stopped me taking many from this spot. I wanted the background with the crowd and course snacking away into the distance to show where the car had come from. That is a rollercoaster running alongside the car! (20D + 70-200mm f4 L)
http://www.srh-motorsport-photography.com/Galleries/forum/Riponian05/05-02-06---090.jpg

Into the afternoon, and the cars were back at 1500hrs for another two stages. The light if anything was worse and deteriorated very quickly. This time the rollercoasters in the background (20D + 300mm f4 L IS)
http://www.srh-motorsport-photography.com/Galleries/forum/Riponian05/05-02-06---184.jpg

And finally, the first time I have used ISO1600. Only took a few shots out of interest more than anything else, but quite happy how they turned out. No noise reduction has been applied. (20D + 300mm f4 L IS).
http://www.srh-motorsport-photography.com/Galleries/forum/Riponian05/05-02-06---250.jpg

Any comments or feedback appreciated as always.

For those that are interested, the fully gallery can be seen on my website (address in my signature).

Cheers,

Simon.

Cadwell

6th of February 2006 (Mon), 16:08

GSH

6th of February 2006 (Mon), 16:13

Simon Harrison

6th of February 2006 (Mon), 16:20

Very, very nice Simon. I love the Sunbeam, but then I have a thing for Sunbeams. You seem to be getting a lot of use out of that little 85mm f/1.8. I think I'll have to take your lead and drag my one out to the Wyedean and Sunseeker. I took the 50mm f/1.4 last year but that was a little too close for comfort on the 1D.

Thanks Glenn. Have to say that the 85mm 1.8 has been one of the best investments I've made. It is simply a brilliant lens. I felt a little close to the action a couple of times on Sunday using it, so I can well believe that using the 50mm on a 1D might get a little hairy;) .

Cheers,

Simon.

Simon Harrison

6th of February 2006 (Mon), 16:22

Excellent as always Simon and even more impressive given the conditions :)

You're doing a fine promotions job for Canon on that 85mm f1.8 too, i'm rather tempted having just seen the price.

By the way, 8 deg C? You're having a laugh aren't you? :lol:

Cheers Geoff. For the performance, the lens is a bargain IMHO.

As for the temperature, that's what the temp gauge in my car said as I was trying to thaw out. I couldn't believe it either.

Cheers,

Simon.

Brands

6th of February 2006 (Mon), 16:41

Lovely shots Simon, especially the two Mk1s :D:cool:

This circuit lover is getting quite excited about shooting in the forests with a 85mm:oops::D

Dave_G

6th of February 2006 (Mon), 18:24

great shots! the Mk1s are doing it for me

sun...seek..er...sunseek....er....su....nseeek.... errrr

quite happy I'm armed with a 70-200f2.8 and a 50f1.8 this year

can't wait now! argh!!!!

Dave_G

6th of February 2006 (Mon), 18:25

AND A FLASHGUN!

sorry

chrishunt

7th of February 2006 (Tue), 00:57

Simon Harrison

7th of February 2006 (Tue), 01:42

Lovely shots Simon, especially the two Mk1s :D:cool:

This circuit lover is getting quite excited about shooting in the forests with a 85mm:oops::D

Thanks Brands.

Cheers,

Simon.

Simon Harrison

7th of February 2006 (Tue), 04:10

great shots! the Mk1s are doing it for me

sun...seek..er...sunseek....er....su....nseeek.... errrr

quite happy I'm armed with a 70-200f2.8 and a 50f1.8 this year

can't wait now! argh!!!!

Cheers Dave. Hope you enjoy the Sunseeker.

I now have to wait until the 12 March before my next event, so have a feeling it maybe me twitching by then;) .

Cheers,

Simon.

gmen

7th of February 2006 (Tue), 04:15

Great work Simon.

The shots with the 85mm are really 'in yer face'... highly effective use of the lens.

---- Gavin

musicmate

7th of February 2006 (Tue), 04:29

Looks like you were very close to the cars with a lot of these shots Simon 85mm (your braver than me)excellent work as allways.

Steve

Ian_H

7th of February 2006 (Tue), 04:52

Nice shots Simon, that looks like quite a good spot further up from the yump. The more I see of this 85mm the more tempted I am at getting one.

Cheers
Ian

Simon Harrison

7th of February 2006 (Tue), 08:50

Awesome shots Simon. Maybe I haven't been looking at the EXIF enough from other posts, but this is my first time seeing someone using such a short lens for rallys! I like the results very much. Great job in difficult conditions.

Thanks! Wide angled lenses are frequently used by regular rally photographers, particularly on hairpins to frame the cars as they handbrake turn and slide through the corner.

Cheers,

Simon.

Simon Harrison

7th of February 2006 (Tue), 13:22

Great work Simon.

The shots with the 85mm are really 'in yer face'... highly effective use of the lens.

---- Gavin

Thanks Gavin. It's a great little lens right enough. My lightmeter worked a treat. Not sure what I did wrong with my grey card though :confused:

Cheers,

Simon.

Simon Harrison

7th of February 2006 (Tue), 13:26

Looks like you were very close to the cars with a lot of these shots Simon 85mm (your braver than me)excellent work as allways.

Steve

There are things between me and the cars that you can't see in the picture and there was a clear escape route behind me if necessary. I discussed with the marshalls nearby where I wanted to stand. They had a look at the area with me, and provided some advice to make sure I was safe. At the end of the day, no shot is worth putting yourself at undue risk to get. If I had felt unsafe I can assure you that I would have moved immediately.

Cheers,

Simon.

musicmate

7th of February 2006 (Tue), 19:01

Simon Harrison

8th of February 2006 (Wed), 00:11

Sorry Simon i think that might have come out a little wrong i didnt mean to imply you were being wreckless or indeed putting yourself in to much danger just for the sake of a good photo.I think it is very good practice to be guided by the marshalls.
Regards Steve

No problem Steve, I didn't think you meant that. Just thought it was worth making a point about personal safety. I saw someone on Sunday position themselves on the exit of a fast partially blind 90 right almost in the tyre tracks of where other cars had slid off wide......

You're dead right about the marshalls - they will definately look after you.

Cheers,

Simon.

Simon Harrison

8th of February 2006 (Wed), 06:52

Nice shots Simon, that looks like quite a good spot further up from the yump. The more I see of this 85mm the more tempted I am at getting one.

Cheers
Ian

It would have been even better if there was a little bit more light to play with.

As for the lens, you know you want to really......:lol:

Cheers,

Simon.

Cadwell

8th of February 2006 (Wed), 07:28

You're dead right about the marshalls - they will definately look after you.

Cheers,

Simon.

Last conversation I had with a marshal about "looking after people" he told me his priorities were (in order of importance).

1) Other marshals
2) Drivers
3) Spectators
4) Stray dogs or other animals
5) Photographers

Simon Harrison

8th of February 2006 (Wed), 08:56

Last conversation I had with a marshal about "looking after people" he told me his priorities were (in order of importance).

1) Other marshals
2) Drivers
3) Spectators
4) Stray dogs or other animals
5) Photographers

:lol: Probably wouldn't disagree with that list:lol: , but it doesn't mean they won't look after you, you're just down the pecking order a bit.

I'm certainly not one who believes in the car repelling properties of media bibs, unlike some that I've witnessed when I'm out and about:rolleyes: ;) .

Cheers,

Simon.

Cadwell

8th of February 2006 (Wed), 10:06

:lol: Probably wouldn't disagree with that list:lol: , but it doesn't mean they won't look after you, you're just down the pecking order a bit.

Perhaps... I use a radio scanner to keep abreast of things whilst at the circuit. I heard the following exchange at Donington Park between race control and the startline marshal.

Race control to startline : "are we ready to go with the green flag on this one?, over"

Startline: "Can we hold for a minute? There's a photographer on the grid who needs to get another couple of pictures, over"

Race control: "Go with the green flag, I consider photographers expendable, over"