Sebring 2008

[pmurph]

I will be camping on the side of the racetrack come March for the 2008 Sebring 12 hour race. I have a Canon S5IS, and a teleconverter. I'm going to have to shoot at a lower ISO because of the known noisy photos, so what suggestions do ya'll have for getting some good shots?

[kgauger30]

Have fun!! Sebring is a great place :) No advise because I haven't been there yet, but I may go out this year if I can get some tickets for a good price. I usually am out of town just in time for race week here lol..

[Anke]

I will be camping on the side of the racetrack come March for the 2008 Sebring 12 hour race. I have a Canon S5IS, and a teleconverter. I'm going to have to shoot at a lower ISO because of the known noisy photos, so what suggestions do ya'll have for getting some good shots?

Don't shoot at too low an ISO as you'll lower the shutter speeds and may not not obtain sharp images, remember that a noisy photo is better than out of focus one. Also panning to catch racecars need a lot of practice so get some in now, maybe with some passing traffic.

[Charles Richards]

I'll be going to Sebring as well -

Anybody who has been there that can give some info about locations that regular public can be near the track? (

I was looking at the PDF they have on their site showing "viewing mounds" - are those places a regular guy with a camera like myself can go?

I'll be bringing my 20D, my Tamron 28-75mm, and probably renting one of the 70-200mm variants :D

[pmurph]

I'm not sure. I'm not going as a photographer...I wish! I'm just an amateur. I'm going as a fan who loves to take pictures, lol. If I find out, I'll let you know.

[Charles Richards]

I'm not sure. I'm not going as a photographer...I wish! I'm just an amateur. I'm going as a fan who loves to take pictures, lol. If I find out, I'll let you know.

oh yeah I'm definitely doing the same ... I'm just curious if you are limited to the grandstands as a regular spectator...

I'd love to be able to photograph an event like this :lol:

[throw_n_gas]

Pmurph and Charles,

Sebring has many good places to shoot from that are in the general viewing areas, even if the backround is bad, if you look at my Zenfolio files from ALMS testing 07 and 08 all of these shots are from the general admission areas. During ALMS testing only part of the track is open to the public, so during the 12 hr.race you'll have many other opportunities.

Don't forget the fans, some of your most interesting shots may be behind you!!

Rick

[Charles Richards]

Pmurph and Charles,

Sebring has many good places to shoot from that are in the general viewing areas, even if the backround is bad, if you look at my Zenfolio files from ALMS testing 07 and 08 all of these shots are from the general admission areas. During ALMS testing only part of the track is open to the public, so during the 12 hr.race you'll have many other opportunities.

Don't forget the fans, some of your most interesting shots may be behind you!!

Rick

Thanks for the info! That's great to hear!

I like the photos on your site, lots of cool shots of great cars :D

I think I'm going to borrow a friends 100-400mm and then bring my 28-75mm as well, that ought to suit me well enough.

[throw_n_gas]

Thanks for the info! That's great to hear!

I like the photos on your site, lots of cool shots of great cars :D

I think I'm going to borrow a friends 100-400mm and then bring my 28-75mm as well, that ought to suit me well enough.


CR,


If you can get on the Green Park side of the track at the exit to turn 5 near sundown, you will be in position to get some great shots.

Looking forward to seeing your work.

Have a great time.

Rick

[twilli53]

I have been to sebring almost every year for 40 years. if you want to get some pics from the mounds or publics viewing stands/areas get there wednesday or at the latest thursday. friday and saturday are bedlam, the crowd is massive. good for shooting spectators though which is also a trip.;)
tim

[Charles Richards]

CR,

If you can get on the Green Park side of the track at the exit to turn 5 near sundown, you will be in position to get some great shots.

Looking forward to seeing your work.

Have a great time.

Rick


Thanks for the tip - I'll definitely try to get down there and get some photos! I'll probably post up a thread or two once I get back (this is just the beginning of my spring break, so I'll be in FL for the whole next week)

I have been to sebring almost every year for 40 years. if you want to get some pics from the mounds or publics viewing stands/areas get there wednesday or at the latest thursday. friday and saturday are bedlam, the crowd is massive. good for shooting spectators though which is also a trip.;)
tim


shoot, I can't get down there until Thursday night - I'm driving with a few friends all the way from Iowa :p

I guess I'll have to get creative (or wear an ESPN vest or something hahah :evil: ... no I wouldn't do that!)

[Dawid]

Panning takes some practice, but it's worth it.

When I started, I spent a few hours on the shoulder or the highway shooting cars. Got some honks, too.

[Aaagogo]

maybe we should start a list of who's going to be at Sebring,

it would be nice to meet up with some members on the board

[Rockfreak300]

I'll be there shooting for an upcoming automotive magazine - Motorsport Magazine.

Looking forward to seeing you guys there! :) Look for a teenager with a UF hat, and a 30D attached to a 70-200 2.8 IS and odds are that it will be me! :)

- Chris

[GoHokiesGo]

There are plenty of spots you can get pictures without a press pass. Right by the chicane is usually my favorite spot there (nice glowing rotors at night), and then there are a few other mounds that you can walk up to the fence to shoot without blocking people's view.

You should be able to get plenty of decent shots with your S5. My S2 got me some sweet shots in the past there. It should be bright enough during the day to keep your iso low. When you find where you want to shoot, pre-focus your camera and press the shutter half way, then look back up the track a bit while continuing to hold the shutter half down. Follow the racecar as it enters your viewfinder, then click when the car gets to where you pre-focused the shot. The S5 will have some shutter lag, so you'll have to practice getting your timing right, but you should have no problem getting nice shots after some practice.

[Charles Richards]

There are plenty of spots you can get pictures without a press pass. Right by the chicane is usually my favorite spot there (nice glowing rotors at night), and then there are a few other mounds that you can walk up to the fence to shoot without blocking people's view.




I'm definitely going to try to get some photos like that - I've seen a few posted on here before and they were really cool :D

I also do agree it'd be fun for a little POTN meetup (12 hours worth of racing ... we'll require a beer or some nachos won't we?!)

[Aaagogo]

I'm sure it would, i'll join in on the nacho's but I've a strict no drinking policy when I'm out shooting, too much expensive camera gear to take care, on top of that, the ever so prominent white canon lens, regular people knows it's expensive stuff.

I however do drink when I'm shooting in my studio ;)

I'm definitely going to try to get some photos like that - I've seen a few posted on here before and they were really cool :D

I also do agree it'd be fun for a little POTN meetup (12 hours worth of racing ... we'll require a beer or some nachos won't we?!)

[GoHokiesGo]

I wish I could go again this year, it's supposed to be dry this year! (supposedly it only rains every other year for like the last 30 yrs I heard...) I went the past two years and had a blast. My cousin has a wedding the same day that I have to go to instead. I'm kinda bummed since this is my first time with my SLR there.

[Aaagogo]

Hey guys,

I've started a POTN, 12 Hrs of Sebring Meet (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=461500)