Tips for shooting runners please.

I've been asked to take the pictures of a local running event in a few weeks. I've been watching a few runners over the last couple of weeks and I think the best time to shoot them is when both feet are off the ground whilst they are in the upward part of their stride? Any tips? Am I right? I'm riding the course on my bike next week so will be able to choose a good spot for the shots. Again apart from having a clean background any tips here? I normally shoot mountain bikes so the speed/panning doesn't bother me.

Thanks in advance.

I am a cross country runner, and shoot them sometimes.

I find that generally I like the shots with one foot up and behind, other on the ground from a slightly side on perspective, still showing the face.

I also find having bushland as the setting works quite nicely, if that is on the course.

Also I will generally underexpose the BG by a stop or two and light the subject with my 580 II off camera

This all depends on how many runners are competing. It's all well and good to plan to get shots of runners "when both feet are off the ground whilst they are in the upward part of their stride?", or to get "shots with one foot up and behind, other on the ground from a slightly side on perspective", but when you're trying to capture 5-10 runners in a group at the same time, one group after another for an hour or longer, you're normally VERY happy to get 1-2 full body shots and 1-2 close-ups of each runner. At bigger events, things can get extremely hectic, and you had better have fast CF cards and not be shooting large files......

How many entrants are there? My experience is panning doesn't work real well for running - it's better for biking events. Too many moving parts on a runner. I'd also suggest getting low and shooting upwards. Get a dark background if you can, like a group of trees. Bright skies can be difficult unless you're using fill flash, and if you're using flash, again, if there are a lot of runners, bring lots of batteries and be careful not to burn it out by shooting too many too often.

Typical running events are frequently more about quantity than quality.

In less hectic conditions, I think it's best to get shots coming at you, from a slight angle (<45 degrees to straight), and catching the stride with both feet off the ground is a good shot, but I prefer close-ups, taken waist up, of the runners, showing facial expressions with good exertion. Like I said, getting a good full body shot and a good close-up is ideal.

dmwierz wrote in post #5788692
This all depends on how many runners are competing. It's all well and good to plan to get shots of runners "when both feet are off the ground whilst they are in the upward part of their stride?", or to get "shots with one foot up and behind, other on the ground from a slightly side on perspective", but when you're trying to capture 5-10 runners in a group at the same time, one group after another for an hour or longer, you're normally VERY happy to get 1-2 full body shots and 1-2 close-ups of each runner. At bigger events, things can get extremely hectic, and you had better have fast CF cards and not be shooting large files......

How many entrants are there? My experience is panning doesn't work real well for running - it's better for biking events. Too many moving parts on a runner. I'd also suggest getting low and shooting upwards. Get a dark background if you can, like a group of trees. Bright skies can be difficult unless you're using fill flash, and if you're using flash, again, if there are a lot of runners, bring lots of batteries and be careful not to burn it out by shooting too many too often.

Typical running events are frequently more about quantity than quality.

In less hectic conditions, I think it's best to get shots coming at you, from a slight angle (<45 degrees to straight), and catching the stride with both feet off the ground is a good shot, but I prefer close-ups, taken waist up, of the runners, showing facial expressions with good exertion. Like I said, getting a good full body shot and a good close-up is ideal.

I managed with 100 runners to get two shots of almost everyone (two got injured before second shot) at two different location with the lighting set up, and yes, getting the close ups is important too, I always quickly zoom my 70-200 as one comes by, getting a close up and a full body

100 runners doesn't even qualify as an event, in my book. That's more of a club run...

There are more than 100 runners out and about our local trails most any time of any day of any weekend.

Are you using a rifle or a shotgun? You can get more at a time with the shotgun if it has a full bore. A rifle is more lethal.

A few examples that might show that faces and action are as important as feet, and that only someone with great timing is going to be able to get an image of a runner in a specific pose during a race:

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Thanks for the tips

dmwierz wrote in post #5788692
I'd also suggest getting low and shooting upwards.

In less hectic conditions, I think it's best to get shots coming at you, from a slight angle (<45 degrees to straight), and catching the stride with both feet off the ground is a good shot,

Here are my most recent attempts to do that. These are middle school kids. I like tight shots taken in the final turn to the finish. The low angle (I'm sitting) really helps these 7th graders look more dramatic.

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dmwierz wrote in post #5788692
but I prefer close-ups, taken waist up, of the runners, showing facial expressions with good exertion. Like I said, getting a good full body shot and a good close-up is ideal.

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