Action shots with Dreb and Kit Lens...possible?

So, tomorrow I'm lookin at clouds in the morning. There has been very little rain though. So, I guess I'm taking a chance (not sure I'm willing to though).

Anyway, that aside, my brother-in-law is running a race tomorrow starting at 10AM. I'd love to get some good action shots of him running. As I said above, it looks like it'll be overcast here, so ambient light will be at a minimum.

Can the 18-55mm EF-S handle taking action shots? If so, do you have any advice for taking action shots on an overcast day with the Dreb and the kit lens?

Lastly, are there any legal ramifications to taking pictures of a race that will include more than just my brother-in-law? I don't plan to try to sell any of them...I just want to take them to better myself as a photographer.

Thanks in advance

FlipsidE

You'll have to be able to get really close with that lens.. With the bad light you're going to have you'll also want to set it to iso 400 probably. I feel that anything above 400 has too much noise. Don't expect really sharp action shots but it can do a pretty good job for memories sake.

Thanks for the tips. I'll definitely keep those in mind.

FlipsidE

You'll have extremely few keepers with this setup.

I tried shooting my bro with sigma 70-200 which is WAY faster focusing than the kit lens. He'd always be out of focus just by an inch or so.

If you stop down to f/8 or so, it should be better

Okey dokey, this is a question I can answer.

First of all, yes you will be able get some pretty decent action shots with the kit lens. I do it all the time and I shoot horses moving at a full canter. All you really have to do is set you camera for a correct exposure on the general location that you plan to take the shot. By this I mean get a lighting reading on the spot in the road that you pla for your brother in law to pass by in. This is going to save focus time with the lens plus it gives you a chance to get your shutter speed/appeture right.

I agree that you will probably want to shoot at ISO 400. I think that in any overcast outdoor situation you won't be happy with the darkness of the ISO 200. Especially if you are shooting on the 55mm end of that lens. Because let me tell you, f5 won't cut it if it is in fact pretty overcast. That is why I suggest you open that lens up and try to shoot at the largest appeture (i.e. small f-number) that you can. Ever stop is going to count on that lens in a action shot.

The last two things I suggest are be ready and pan. By "be ready" I mean just that. Be ready by making sure you know where you will shoot from and where you will shoot at. Get your exposure ready before he ever comes into view. And take some practice shots just to make sure you have it all set correctly and won't have any surprises when the time arrives. And as for panning, practice. Panning is a great technique because it produces those shots that shot motion. But in addition to which you will be able to use slightly longer shutter speeds to compensate for that len's limited appeture.

Now for the legalities of the matter. First of all by participating in a public race/marathon these people have no claim for a invasion of privacy suit. So there is no technical concern. But as a matter of courtesy I strive to not shoot people I don't know. And if you decide to sell the shot for anything other than editorial use you will have to examine the matter closer.

Ok that is all. But in retrospect it seems I am late. I should have read the time of your post before I wrote all this.

- Digital Prophet -

Hi,

Great advice from the other posters.

I would also try to use a good monopod if you have one. You will find when used properly it will help.