Motor Cycle Road Racing - Eastern Creek 14.15 June

[dicktay]

Hi,
Just a few from the weekend.
Honda Rjays interclub road race series. Hosted by St George MC - Eastern Creek Australia.
#1
http://richardtaylor.zenfolio.com/img/v0/p1070606604-4.jpg

#2
http://richardtaylor.zenfolio.com/img/v0/p784258467-4.jpg

#3
http://richardtaylor.zenfolio.com/img/v0/p974817847-4.jpg

#4
http://richardtaylor.zenfolio.com/img/v0/p670249865-4.jpg

#5
http://richardtaylor.zenfolio.com/img/v0/p785591162-4.jpg

#6
http://richardtaylor.zenfolio.com/img/v0/p961542347-4.jpg

#7
http://richardtaylor.zenfolio.com/img/v0/p871669050-4.jpg

#8
http://richardtaylor.zenfolio.com/img/v0/p686586147-4.jpg

Thanks for looking.
Richard

[NickR]

Excellent images, good to see you have caught the aggression of #97 face ! Like #3 the best.

Cheers

[dicktay]

Thanks very much, Nick.

[Actionphoto]

Great shots. What camera and lens were you shooting with? Were you shooting from the spectator area - if so what corners were they taken at. Or are you only of the privilaged few that can get into the media area.
I am interested because I like to go to the Ducati track days.
Once again great shooting and very sharp.
Bob.

[dicktay]

Thanks, Bob.
Canon 40D with Canon 100-400 F4.5-F5.6 IS L lens mostly on a monopod unless panning or shooting from close up like near the exit of turn 3 where you don't get a lot of time to track them.

Pics 1-4 were taken from the spectator side of the fence.
1&2 at the exit of turn two 3&4 and the exit of turn 3.

Pics 5&6 were taken as they were going through turn 9. Pic 7 is coming in to turn 9. Pic 8 is looking from the inside as they are exiting turn 5 and starting to head up the hill towards turn 6.

I used to shoot with a Canon 70-300 IS, however the extra reach reach of the 400, especially for bikes, really comes in handy on most parts of the track except when panning as they come out of turn two and looking down on turn 3 where ~ 200mm is enough.

[TATER64]

Nice and sharp shots Dick well done oh and i just love the battle scars on pic #2

[Actionphoto]

Thanks for the info Dick. You must have carefully considered the position of the sun and planned your day around it as the shots are well lit. I had trouble finding suitable sunny locations when I was there on May 31.
Did you have to use the lens at its max 400mm?
Bob.

[dicktay]

@ Tater 64
Thanks. I didn't even notice it when shooting.

@Actionphoto
Saturday, pics-1-4, was sunny for a few hours in the morning.
That is when I normally shoot around Turn 2 and then move around to turn 12, at the top of the straight, in the late afternoon. Turn 7 can be reasonable in the late morning as well.
However it came over cloudy, which I prefer because of the even lighting, about 11 o'clock so it was mainly turn 2 and turn 12. However being a practice day there was not a lot of close action so it was a great oportunity to practice panning shots etc. Only saw one other photographer all day. If you do have the oportunity to shoot from the inside of the track then turn 3 (possibly) , 5, 8 & 9 would be good in the morning and turn 7 in the afternoon.

Sunday was overcast almost all of the day, with the sun only peeking through a few times, so it made the light soft and even so you could shoot from anywhere and in any direction, which makes things a lot easier, and not worry about the harsh contrasty lighting you normally get on a bright sunny day.

Always think about the sun no matter where you are able to shoot from. Sometimes you can't do much about it, depending on the action, but you still think about it.

Here is an example where the "rules" were broken. Looking west, from the spectator side of the fence, late in the afternoon, towards turn 11 at a drifting event (the smoke is burning rubber)
http://richardtaylor.zenfolio.com/img/v1/p280105049-4.jpg


Re the lens.
For bikes, almost always at 400mm or there abouts, except for the shots as mentioned above and similar. It doesn't matter where you are shooting from. A friend of mine used just a Canon 400mm prime for 95% of his shots. He didn't do any panning shots.

My Flickr motorcycle shots, all at Eastern Creek, most with EXIF info is here.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/34094515@N00/sets/72157603852256100/

There are also drag and car racing pics, most at Eastern creek, on my flickr stream as well. The latter ones all have EXIF info.

[Actionphoto]

hi Dick,
Thanks for all the info, you have been a great help.
how do you manage to get on the inside of the track. Do you have accreditation or something like that.
Hope to catch up with you some day down there.
Heres a few a took at the creek on May 31st.
Both taken at top of main straight.
Cheers
Bob.

280702

280703

[dicktay]

They are good shots. You can see why 400mm or even longer would be good, no matter where you are.

Re track access: Not in a position to say much however, this is what I have observed.

Who sees your pics?
Do they like them? Members of a club, team or organisation?
Do they want more or from different angles?
Do existing photographer need help to get pics, either when shooting or when they can't make it to a track or event?
Are there any photographers shooting at small local events or practice days?
Can you make the commitment in time & equipment (including backup camera & lenses) and in all weather conditions, when shooting and afterward?

I will keep an eye out for you and I am almost always shooting from the spectator side of the fence.
Richard