Racing
I love to photograph sports, but I have way too little time the last few years to do this and the time I do have free time I love to spend with my family. So when we were invited for a VIP day at circuit “Zandvoort” with my family I did not have to think long about it…..
The day itself was awesome, we had access to the boxes were the cars were repaired and prepared for the race, there was a grid walk and a great view from a skybox. But somehow I hate to watch races from a skybox so I decided to test my luck and took position in some areas were only the “real” photographers were allowed, luckily for me I was not send away that often and got some nice shots. One race it was raining a bit and this (for me) made the images much more interesting. So without wasting too much words, here is my selection.
Experimenting with long shuttertimes (maybe a bit too long)
Feel free to comment.
Do remember I’m not a sports shooter, so tips are welcome 😀
If you were to ask me-I would say your right up there with the best of auto sports photographers. Then again what do I know , smiles? I’m just an aerial photography that uses one light source in the sky.
Loads to learn, I’ve seen shots from the “pro sport” shooters that are rocking. But they use different gear (in my defence).
Great Job Frank! My view on sports photography is to capture the action as it happens and up close. I love the way you captured the racer with arms raised, the pit crew checking the vehicles after the wreck and the champagne celebration. Its all about telling the story and your images do so. I like the images of crew conversations and stuff like that cause its like being backstage with them. Its more intimate.
Thanks, that are often the shots I also hold most dear, but some people will only love the action shots, for me indeed the story is maybe even more important.
Great pictures. Reminds me of the days when I went to Zandvoort to the F-1 races in the mid sixties. I used to sneak into the areas with the “real” photographers. I think my longest lens was a 135 mm. Didn’t get the best photos, but I have some of my best memories from those days. Anybody remember Dan Gurney and the American Eagle. I love your website, thanks.
You’re welcome, glad you like the site.nSpread the word 😀
You’re welcome, glad you like the site.nSpread the word 😀
Great shots Frank. Just wondering… did you shoot these with your Phase One/Leaf? if so what lenses did you find worked best?
Canon 5DMKII, with a MF system it can be done but not as good as with the Canon. And I don’t even think about shooting in this kind of rain with the Phase/Leaf 😀
Canon 5DMKII, with a MF system it can be done but not as good as with the Canon. And I don’t even think about shooting in this kind of rain with the Phase/Leaf 😀
Great to see these pictures Frank, i like them a lot! Hope you had some fun, and we will invite you again if you want to!
We loved being there :DnBut squeezing it into the agenda is often a problem 🙁
Mooie beelden! Sorry m’n engels is niet zo best.nMooie plek om spannende beelden te maken. Zelf kom ik er ook nog wel eens niet heel vaak vindt het geweldig om door de pits te lopen tijdens de pitstops die bedrijvigheid zorgt wel voor dat je ogen in je rug nodig hebt, maar mooi is het zeker. In de regen heb ik zelf nog niet gestaan. en hoop ik ook dit jaar ook eens te hebben. Geeft toch een mooie spannende sfeer aan het beeld.
Regen voegt inderdaad voor mij altijd wat toe aan de spanning en gevoel.nWas in ieder geval erg leuk om te doen.
Very nice pictures Frank. I’d love to see one of the pit shots with an ‘over done’ tonal contrast filter from Nik. I’m guessing it would come out very very dramatic.nnLove the long shuttertime, but the back got out of focus, probably because of the panning position?
I hardly ever pan so I think my technique is just “bad” :DnnTonal contrast is great but I don’t want to over do it.
Haha, panning is pretty easy, although it requires some training (every1 can do it). Best way (for me) is to put the lens on IS/VR (active if available) and use a shutterspeed of around 1/200, slower cars need slower shutters, so it depends on the subject. nnBefore you start panning, you focus on the point where the car will be (so the AF doesn’t need to search all the way) and when the car comes you point the focus on the door and move with the subject (i like to keep my ellbow stiff to my belly for more stability), and even after the shot, keep panning. Make sure to move your whole from about the hips.nnI prefer the shutter prio, and if needed i use the compensation to brighten it up or down.nnIt’s always an exciting to do, especially the first time. I know i made about 600 shots the first time, and only 8/9 were sharp 😀