Who's going to Dover-NASCAR?????

[Togra4]

Hey all, Anybody going to at Dover this coming weekend? This will be my first time with credentials for the Busch series events. This trip will basically be a learning experience for me since I have the same access for Charlotte in October. I have shot plenty of Nascar from the pits but had to leave for the really good stuff. Now that I get to stay and pretty much go where ever I want, I am so nervous about getting it right. lol. opportunities like this dont often come everyday so I dont want to blow it.

Any advice on shooting at Dover would be welcome!

[gdrMatt]

spray and pray... haha. shoot a lot and keep the sun to your back.. if you can't shoot with the sun to your back.. flash it.. good luck :)

oh and bring some water with you.. it gets hot in that place.

[Togra4]

Thanks gdrMatt.....is your name Matt?...

you are right about it getting hot there. Hopefully we'll have weather like this weekend...It's gorgeous today here in Md.....I have heard about using the flash to help with shadows under baseball caps and such. I cant wait to try it. Ive been practicing on the kids...trying out different scenarios I have come across when at the track and seeing what fixes the issues....the kids think im a dork but practice makes perfect, right?....lol

[gdrMatt]

yep, my name is Matt.. i've been to Dover a couple times as a spectator and it gets HOT inside the track... good luck shooting. practice doesn't make perfect, but the delete button does.. lol.

[Togra4]

Thats a good one, Matt! I am really excited to see the inner workings of the monster mile in person. I have also been to many Dover races as a spectator, finally what goes on beyond the chainlink will be revealed.....lol.

[gdrMatt]

i think they all sit around and watch the race on tv.. :)

[Togra4]

guess so, Matt......but I do thank you for acknowledging my excitement over the opporitunity! I dont feel so alone in my jubilation....lol

[Togra4]

Well, Dover was an AMAZING experience. I learned so much and was a lot more successful than I ever thought. My new Sigma lenses performed well above my expectations and I am so happy. I have posted some shots of the Busch 60 team up on my smugmug gallery, most are candid portraits and some pit stop shots if you want to peek....Let me know what you think.....:) I will have more up over the course of the week so keep checking!

[ibdb]

Just looked through your gallery. Great job!

A couple of quick thoughts -- I noticed that in many of your headshots, the subject is pretty close to the center of the frame. For some of the headshots, particularly those with the subject turned to one side or the other, I'd like to see the person off center (think rule of thirds), with room on the side they're looking towards. I prefer your current #21 to #22 and #23 for that reason (and I really like #21).

Also, what did you end up doing for fill flash? #19 EXIF says that the flash fired, but the crewman looks underexposed (at least on my laptop). I can't tell from the EXIF what mode you were shooting in, or what the focal length was -- both may have had a lot to do with that.

[Togra4]

I know the one your talking about.....I left my flash on...most of the time...lol. I figured if they were too far away, it wouldnt matter anyhow..which he was...he was infront of the pit box in the shadows and he was too far away for the flash to make any difference....I shot manual about 90% of the time and i didnt dial it up quite right....

I also appreciate the "off center" aspect of the rule of thirds. Im usually pretty good about it....there were some points in the day that I just clicked that shutter for the sake of clicking and forgot myself....I will make sure in Charlotte to think first then shoot....

Thank you sooo much for your advice! and the positivity!

[RTMiller]

Very nice shots Tracy. I was there too but I was a little further away. About five rows from the top right before turn 1. Here's what I was able to get from there... http://rtmiller.smugmug.com/gallery/3534050

If you need someone to carry your camera bag around the pits next year, just call me!;)

[gdrMatt]

Great shots Tracy. I think NASCAR is all about the Drivers. most people just goto the races to see the cars crashes and meet the drivers... lol. and the pit shots are good.. didn't think anyone could get that close during the race.. even with photo passes. maybe I should switch to NASCAR instead of Drag Racing :)

I always have my flash on the camera. good luck in Charlotte.

[Togra4]

Wow Guys thanks...I have been so busy with all the pp that I havent been able to get over here.....So much fun! I have my Carl Edwards gallery set up now if you want to peek....now I have to get the track stuff together.

Todd, Great shots for being so far away....Luckily Dover isn't that big of a track..lol and thanks for the offer but my fiance has already called dibs on the carrying of the gear gig...lol.

Matt, yeah there were photogs all over the place in the pits....amatuer and pro alike, with media passes and just garage/pit. Now remember this was Busch though and not Cup. I'm not cool enough to get cup (hot) passes yet....but I'll keep you posted. lol