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View Full Version : HELP! Advice for shooting motorsport at night wanted.

300Daz
17th of July 2009 (Fri), 07:49
Have scored my first media pass to shoot a Drifting event tomorrow arvo and evening.

Any tips to help me out would be appreciated especially from those who have experience at night shooting.

Daz
DC Fan
17th of July 2009 (Fri), 14:58
High ISO, fast lens, or both.

http://www.fansview.com/racing/10112008b0017.jpg

Camera Model: Canon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XTi
Focal Length: 50.0mm
Exposure Time: 0.0050 s (1/200)
Aperture: f/1.8
ISO equiv: 1600
White Balance: Manual
Metering Mode: Matrix
Exposure: aperture priority (semi-auto)

http://www.fansview.com/racing/10112008b0284.jpg

Camera Model: Canon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XTi
Focal Length: 150.0mm
Exposure Time: 0.017 s (1/60)
Aperture: f/5.0
ISO equiv: 1600
White Balance: Manual
Metering Mode: Matrix
Exposure: shutter priority (semi-auto)

No flash used in these images. It takes an exceptionally powerful flash, something like a Norman, (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/38131-REG/Norman_810809_400_W_S_Portable_Battery.html) to get nighttime flash action just right. A Norman can cost more than a camera body.
300Daz
17th of July 2009 (Fri), 22:20
^ Thanks for the tips DCFan.

Daz
kingmsport
27th of July 2009 (Mon), 00:32
If you want to get more adventurous, try a slow shutter speed with a flash (430 or better) set for "second curtain" (flashes at the end of the exposure instead of the beginning of the exposure). Gives nice light trails leading to the car. Here are some examples.

http://kingmotorsportphotography.smugmug.com/gallery/7718946_nuf7L#499003863_auakg

http://kingmotorsportphotography.smugmug.com/gallery/7718946_nuf7L#505136973_NzuEK

Also a flash will make the decals pop. Here are some examples:

http://kingmotorsportphotography.smugmug.com/gallery/7718946_nuf7L#505136574_NHtbj

http://kingmotorsportphotography.smugmug.com/gallery/7718946_nuf7L#505138825_wf74X
PhotosGuy
22nd of August 2009 (Sat), 10:21
If you want to get more adventurous, try a slow shutter speed As a unashamed blur lover, those are pretty nice! ;)
"Nightmare Cruise" with a happy ending. (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=737189)