Chicago Marathon Advice

[PFDarkside]

My brother is running the Chicago Marathon this year and I'd like to get some good images of him running the event. This is his second Chicago Marathon and his 5th total marathon, so he's got the feel of the event and is really looking forward to it.

I got a few cool images at a local marathon he ran in June, but I have a strange suspicion that Chicago's 40,000 runners + spectators will be a touch different from 500 runners and a small spattering of spectators. In that event I used my Rebel XSi and kit lens, as I could be right there when he passed. I feel like this event will require MUCH more planning on my part.


So, any tips for great images at large events? What focal length am I going to want? Should I use flash? (and if so, would a 580EXII be able to keep up during daylight?) Any advice on good spots for the Chicago Marathon specifically?

Thanks...

[DC Fan]

Originally Posted by PFDarkside

My brother is running the Chicago Marathon this year and I'd like to get some good images of him running the event. This is his second Chicago Marathon and his 5th total marathon, so he's got the feel of the event and is really looking forward to it.

I got a few cool images at a local marathon he ran in June, but I have a strange suspicion that Chicago's 40,000 runners + spectators will be a touch different from 500 runners and a small spattering of spectators. In that event I used my Rebel XSi and kit lens, as I could be right there when he passed. I feel like this event will require MUCH more planning on my part.

So, any tips for great images at large events? What focal length am I going to want? Should I use flash? (and if so, would a 580EXII be able to keep up during daylight?) Any advice on good spots for the Chicago Marathon specifically?

Thanks...

Point the camera in the right direction at the right time and pictures should result. These images came from a 60D and a Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX II lens, with the camera set to program AE and Auto ISO. Available light and no flash.


Focal Length: 118.0mm
Aperture: f/2.8
Exposure Time: 0.0050 s (1/200)
ISO equiv: 1600
Exposure Bias: none
Metering Mode: Matrix
Exposure: program (Auto)
White Balance: Auto
Flash Fired: No (enforced)
Orientation: Normal
Color Space: sRGB


Camera Maker: Canon
Camera Model: Canon EOS 60D
Lens: 70-200mm
Image Date: 2011-11-05 08:07:15 (no TZ)
Focal Length: 200.0mm
Aperture: f/2.8
Exposure Time: 0.0040 s (1/250)
ISO equiv: 1600
Exposure Bias: none
Metering Mode: Matrix
Exposure: program (Auto)
White Balance: Auto
Flash Fired: No (enforced)
Orientation: Normal
Color Space: sRGB

Focal Length: 118.0mm
Aperture: f/2.8
Exposure Time: 0.0063 s (1/160)
ISO equiv: 800
Exposure Bias: none
Metering Mode: Matrix
Exposure: program (Auto)
White Balance: Auto
Flash Fired: No (enforced)
Orientation: Normal
Color Space: sRGB

These images were taken just after the race began around 8 a.m. in November, near sunrise. The camera location was chosen so the participants would be facing into the morning light. The camera settings were chosen to allow concentration on tracking the runners and framing the images.

Some may prefer processing the images to make them look as if the pictures were taken in midday sun, but the choice here was to leave the morning light alone.

[PFDarkside]

Well, here are three from June...

First was 18mm f/5.6, second and third were 55mm, f/8 & f/7.1.

I really like the first, but he was literally grabbing food I was handing him. The second, he was right in front of me yet it's still not sharp... Hmm...

[PFDarkside]

#3...

[gymdad]

With apologies to those who have already responded, I would humbly suggest the following: as it is a running event, the runners' legs should usually be included in the shot.

[Biffbradford]

[ZXDrew]

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/...hlight=running

Check out the link.

[PFDarkside]

Great link Drew! That's what I was looking for, thanks!

I'm considering renting a 70-200 for the race (and to play with before and after )

Great idea to scope out the course beforehand. He likes to run alone, following a pace pack. If I get a good vantage point I should be able to get a nice isolated picture of him.

[ewheeler20]

70-200 f2.8

Photographing a specific runner really has more to do with the runner than the photographer (when it comes to large 10,000+ participant races). If your brother is running alone or if he is running on the same side of the road as you, you are in luck. If not, then there's nothing you can do.

Honestly, if you are serious enough to rent a lens for this occasion, you need to do some research:

-Go online and print a map of the course.
-Drive the course and look for BACKGROUNDS you want to shoot.
-Plan on 2-3 locations that you can beat him to while he's running so you have options just in case.
-With those 2-3 locations figure out exactly where you'd like to be and where you'd liked HIM to be.
-Talk to your brother and tell him these locations; or better yet go take a drive with him in to these locations and share your hopeful plan.
-During the race and your brother agrees; do as planned (If your brother is mentally aware enough while running and physically able to do so, of course).

It sounds like a lot, but really just an hour of pre-race planning and a little luck during the race and you will be golden!

A few tips and reminders:

Remember, backgrounds are the most important part of all of this. Look for something clean and simple and no bright orange cones or road signs. Or look for a spectacular skyline view or nice river as a background. Shoot between f3.2 and f5.6 for proper DOF while still attaining subject isolation. Shoot as close to 200m with your 70-200 at first and as he closes in on you keep shooting until you reach 70mm; this way you can probably shoot him 4-5 times in a few seconds resulting in slightly different backgrounds each shot. Keep your shutter speed FASTER than 1/640s. I can see in one of your OOF photos that you you were shooting a 1/200s which is much too slow for fast moving runners. Shoot with the sun at YOUR back. No flash is needed. The ideal runner composition is usually shot in portrait orientation and FULL body with BOTH feet off the ground (which is why burst can be helpful here). Having the moment that both feet are off the ground shows real speed and movement compared to one on the ground because sometimes it can look like they are hoping, skipping, or walking. Also, muscle tone is often at it's most photogenic when they are completely in the air.

Please see some of my examples for reference:

(Rhode Island)

Camera Canon EOS 7D
Exposure 1/3200
Aperture f/2.8
Focal Length 200 mm
ISO Speed 200


(Boston)

Camera Canon EOS 7D
Exposure 1/800
Aperture f/3.5
Focal Length 190 mm
ISO Speed 640


(Boston)

Camera Canon EOS 7D
Exposure 1/6400
Aperture f/3.2
Focal Length 180 mm
ISO Speed 400

[PFDarkside]

Thanks Eric! Great tips. The first leg of the race is up the shoreline, it'll be pretty packed but great open backgrounds. I'll practice some high shutter speed bursts on servo focus beforehand to get accustomed to it. (Most things I shoot are static and I've got all then time in the world to focus and shoot. )