Scottsdale Exotic Track Day - First Track Shoot

[Vortec4800]

This is the first shoot I've been able to do at the track, and one of the first times I got to do some real pan shooting. I think these ones turned out the best, so tell me what you think. If you have any suggestions or reccomendations, I'd like to hear em!

#1
http://homepage.mac.com/cory.imdieke/canonphoto/trackday-1.jpg
#2
http://homepage.mac.com/cory.imdieke/canonphoto/trackday-2.jpg
#3
http://homepage.mac.com/cory.imdieke/canonphoto/trackday-3.jpg
#4
http://homepage.mac.com/cory.imdieke/canonphoto/trackday-4.jpg
#5
http://homepage.mac.com/cory.imdieke/canonphoto/trackday-5.jpg
#6
http://homepage.mac.com/cory.imdieke/canonphoto/trackday-6.jpg
#7
http://homepage.mac.com/cory.imdieke/canonphoto/trackday-7.jpg
#8
http://homepage.mac.com/cory.imdieke/canonphoto/trackday-8.jpg

If you're interested in seeing more, I have the full thing (good and bad) on my website, located here (http://www.imdiekephoto.com/galleries/exotic/index.shtml).

[Ves]

I've never taken photos from those spots. Mine were mainly from the inside of the hairpin.
Great shots too, nice panning!

[sugarzebra]

I like them all...well done.

[Vortec4800]

The second group of shots (4,5,6 and 7) were taken from the top of the bleachers on the other side of the track. A couple friends and I snuck up there in between runs. It was good fun.

[RonnieA]

nice and sharp. i've never shot a race, and I don't know your shutter speed here, but it looks like you could slow it down even more to really show the motion.

[Vortec4800]

nice and sharp. i've never shot a race, and I don't know your shutter speed here, but it looks like you could slow it down even more to really show the motion.

You're right, I could have slowed it down more - but like I said I was still pretty new at panning and I was afraid if I slowed it down too much the cars would be too blurry. As I get better at panning I'll be able to blur the background more. My shutter speed was between 1/160 and 1/200 most of the time.

[RonnieA]

You're right, I could have slowed it down more - but like I said I was still pretty new at panning and I was afraid if I slowed it down too much the cars would be too blurry. As I get better at panning I'll be able to blur the background more. My shutter speed was between 1/160 and 1/200 most of the time.

Whatcha afraid of? :) Get some keepers then test your skills.

From what I've read, panning shutter speed is dependent on how fast the car is going - the faster the speed, the faster the ss you can use for panning. But, like I said, I've never shot racing before ... and you probably already know that.

Anyway, nice shots and keep posting. Of all sports pics, I think I like pans of cars, trucks, bikes ... the best.

[mogearnotalent]

great shots, so which was the fastest?

[aristowercz]

ariel atom is the hottness.

[Vortec4800]

Whatcha afraid of? :) Get some keepers than test your skills.

From what I've read, panning shutter speed is dependent on how fast the car is going - the faster the speed, the faster the ss you can use for panning. But, like I said, I've never shot racing before ... and you probably already know that.

Anyway, nice shots and keep posting. Of all sports pics, I think I like pans of cars, trucks, bikes ... the best.

I like them the best too, that's why I like taking those shots so much. Next time I go out I'll adventure a bit more with the speed and see what I can get. :)

great shots, so which was the fastest?

It was just a Driver's Education event, so we weren't really "racing." It was a while back too so I don't remember which was the fastest out of all of them.

ariel atom is the hottness.

Indeed. One of my favorites of the event.

http://homepage.mac.com/cory.imdieke/canonphoto/atom-1.jpg

http://homepage.mac.com/cory.imdieke/canonphoto/atom-2.jpg

EDIT: Maximum 8 images per thread... moderator.

[RonnieA]

cool. i look forward to seeing more of your shots. watch your backgrounds and experiment with some angles too. have fun!

[iddie]

nice shots! Those cars look slow, especially the ariel atom. =D

j/k

[Trackday.Net]

Looks like Firebird Main. That's such a difficult venue to photograph. What turn was that overhead shot taken from?

[Ves]

So you've taken pics there, Mike? What's the best place to take pictures from, then? It's my 'local' track, so I'd like to be able to take nice pics there (I didn't like the ones from my first try there).
Did you take pics at the East or West tracks too?

[Trackday.Net]

I've only done Main once. I prefer the West track over the East. With regards to best places at FB, are we talking cars or motorcycles?

[Ves]

Most likely cars.

[Trackday.Net]

West is a lot easier to shoot. There's the outside of turn 1 up on the embankment in the morning, the same turn from the inside exit midday, inside of turn 2 for which the apex is usable for broadside and 3/4 head-on, the outside of the far side bowl, then the inside of the near side of the bowl.

[Ves]

How long of a focal length is needed for those? You can see how my gear is limited at the moment. I think I'm going to be racing on the west track here pretty soon. Would I need any credentials or a vest or anything to get to those areas?

[Vortec4800]

Looks like Firebird Main. That's such a difficult venue to photograph. What turn was that overhead shot taken from?

The overhead shots were taken from the other side of the track on top of the bleachers off the back. Here's a cliche photo of my friend Pat as we were both up there, taking shots of turns 7 - 10 and also of the straight. The picture of my friend is blurry, but gives you an idea of location.

Straight (http://homepage.mac.com/cory.imdieke/canonphoto/trackday-9.jpg)

Pat (http://homepage.mac.com/cory.imdieke/canonphoto/trackday-10.jpg)

[Trackday.Net]

Thanks. I'll have to try that position next time for cars. I'm not sure it's going to work for bikes since there is not that much lean angle there.

[Trackday.Net]

Ves ~ You should be good with a 70-200 or 300mm. Bikes will need a 600 since they are considerably smaller than cars. Check with the organizer for credentials.