Shooting snowmobiles this week *noob needs help*

This is the first time I've really ever played with my camera outside of the house -- I'm very excited!

My buddies and I are going to go out on the sleds to enjoy what the UP has to offer and I hope to capture some nice action shots and nature shots, too.

I am really wondering though what I should start with in manual mode -- thats what I want to learn here -- as goes shutter speed and apperature value. A friend of mine who usually snaps nice photos said:

Around dusk, in decent but fading light in either action or stationary (action, btw, could be between 5-35mph and will likely be in the air or on a drop): 1'', F4, ISO100, CloudyWB, Flash. Also try 1/60 with sam settings.

Midday:1/1000th second, F4, ISO100, WB Shade, No Flash

All that I have as far as equipment goes is a 350d, Kit lense, Tripod, and Bag.

I just want some ideas so I don't come home and load my pictures only to be really discouraged (as usual). I know it takes time, but I'd like some ideas to get going. I researched but couldnt find on how to snap photos of action on snow at dusk, ha

Thanks in advance yall!

IMO...if you're going to be out in the snow, put your camera on Av mode and dial in about 1-1 2/3 stop of +EC. Keep your Aperture wide open and let your camera pick your shutter speed. If your shooting action, watch your shutter speed and if it drops below 1/250, bump up your ISO a stop or two. Good luck!

The only thing with the action though is that Ill maybe have 5 seconds to snap it, tops, and it will be hard to pan. I'll be shooting snow mobiles on road gaps, jumps, etc. mainly (in the air)

Low light may make it hard to hold focus, but the 300D AF did fairly well here: Radio Controlled Boats

Go out & play with traffic & try this for exposure: Need an exposure crutch?

Be aware, with action shots, you can get some great stuff at those settings, but be prepared to throw away a LOT of "almost" shots.
http://img.photobucket​.com …0-%20Rides/F1-Blur-06.jpg

f/4 will give you a nice DOF & throw the background out of focus, but try some with a slower speed to get some tread blur & a feeling of motion.
"WB Shade" will give a tint to a sunlight shot. Try that out while you're playing with traffic & see how you feel about it.

Here's an old film shot I took in the U.P. years ago:

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Great reply, thank you!!

Could you help me to choose a good shutter speed to 'freeze' the main subject in its background even at moderately low light?

Tough call! It's a balancing act between light available, speed of subject, distance from subject...
As I said, "Go out & play with traffic" & get a feel for what's working & what's not.

Yes I suppose thats what I will have to do. It's hard hard because Ill only get 2-3 chances a week, tops! Wish i could see the results immediately while out there, but alas, no lappy.

Does anyone know of a cable/software to instantaneously load the photo off the camera into view on a computer screen once the photo is snapped? ie, always hooked up, you snap, it shows. I saw this at an old friends studio, but we don't talk any longer so i can't ask.

I think Canon has something like that. I've never used it, but there's a thread on it somewhere.

http://www.photography​-on-the.net …php?p=2640807#p​ost2640807

I realized this was the wwrong forum -- anyway, shot a few. Can people help me there please?