Any One Else Shooting Robie Knievel 6/12?

[texaskev]

I have my photo credentials to shoot the event but its really going to be a challenge. If anyone else is planning on shooting it I’d like to start a dialog and compare ideas. For anyone reading this who wonders why it’ll be a challenge its because its happening at 11pm. I normally shoot motorcycle jumps at around 1/2500 but with this poor light even wide open I’m not going to get anywhere near that if I want a decent exposure.

[texfoto]

Where is this going to be? I'd love to get a chance to shoot this up close.

[texaskev]

Originally Posted by texfoto

Where is this going to be? I'd love to get a chance to shoot this up close.

Its gonna happen right at the end of Congress right where it dead ends in front of the capitol on the south side. Its probably too late to get photo credentials from ROT (and you have to be shooting for a paper, mag or well known website) but heck, you can just go and pay the ROT gate fee ($20 I think) and get plenty close enough to get great content. You would basically only be 5 feet further away than I will be. But if you want to try and get the VIP Photo Credentials I'd recommend that you contact the RK website. They will probably be on the road by now but its worth a try.

Here is the info on the ROT rally:
http://www.txcn.com/sharedcontent/dw....1c84eac2.html

Here is Robbie’s site:
http://knieveltour.com/

Here is the technical challenge for this shoot as I see it:

Dark Night (11PM or later)
Lit capitol in the background
Robbie in a white jumpsuit

Here is what I’m thinking as far as config goes…
AF in auto
Drive mode in AI Servo
Aperture wide open (2.8 in my case)
IS on
Exposure Metering mode – partial center weighted
ISO 3200 or maybe even the expanded 6400
Shutter as fast as I can, with luck 250th (I shoot day time jumps at 1/2500!!)

Hope to see you there! As you start to think about camera configuration, please chime in. I’ll share what I’m thinking and would like your view.

[txphotog]

See if you can set up strobes below the ramp and point them up and put them on high power. Also it may have better lighting being its a big event so maybe they will follow him with spot lights.

[DEMDeepEllumMusic]

I would lay odds that there will be pyrothecnics involved which will act like an off camera flash. (just looked at the pics on his site and he tends to use fire canons -shooting big flames into the air- so there will be additional light plus I bet it will be lit up pretty good to highlight him). (BTW what is he going to jump? -have a great comment here about hair but it is a bit political so nothing more said [texans will get the hair thing].)

Think out of the box and rent a 300mm 2.8 (if it isn't in your kit) and locate at an interesting angle to shoot the jump.

Anybody going to shoot the Rally Grounds themselves? Midget WRESTLERS!

[texfoto]

You are probably right, I'm too late to get credentials. I'll be going to watch though and take my camera, maybe rent a lens too for it.

I bet there will be pyrotechnics as well. It should be good.

I'll probably go this year for once to the rally grounds at the Expo Center and take some pics of the rally grounds themselves. I'm sure there is some interesting stuff that goes on.

[texaskev]

He's jumping 3 trucks end to end. The word is that it'll be about 150foot ramp gap. I plan on shooting the grounds and anything interesting that I see. At night after the girls have a few beers you can usually get some good shots:) lol

[toverman]

This won't solve every issue, but you might consider a slower shutter and panning. That technique has saved my bacon when I'd normally want a fast shutter but don't have the light to do it.

[texaskev]

Originally Posted by toverman

This won't solve every issue, but you might consider a slower shutter and panning. That technique has saved my bacon when I'd normally want a fast shutter but don't have the light to do it.

Yeah I'm pretty good at that pan shot of jumps since I've shot several. But the night thing will, like you said, force me to shoot a much slower shutter than usual. I'm hoping that I can get 1/250 th out of it. Just going to have to wait till the things set up and figure it out then I guess!

[DEMDeepEllumMusic]

Anyone have access to any of the highrises along the jump route? Would be a cool shot from the 3rd or 4th floor.

[w9ctm]

OK, just so everyone is aware....
In the block of Congress Ave, between 11th and 10th, only ROT wristband holders who have also paid 20 bucks to watch the jump get in that block. Those without a ROT wristband can get in the block of Congress between 9th and 10th after they also pay 20 bucks per head.
I have considered it, but thought about shooting from the capital grounds, as it is always open and they can't charge you to stand there. I would think that they don't plan to have anything in the background simply because they want to have the capital building behind his jump. Also, there will be way too many people downtown anyhow. I am going to concentrate on ROT at the fairgrounds. We are going out Wednesday night and will be there until Sunday morning. There will be plenty to shoot out there.

If, you have never been to ROT at the fairgrounds before at night, be prepared to see a lot more than you are thinking you'll see. There will be a lot of ( let's see, how do I put this..... ) unbecoming people displaying things they shouldn't be displaying, taking place out there. Once evening comes and the roudiness starts, there is no telling what will be on display, or by whom...

Good luck to all. I'll be out there on the 'loop'!

Oh yeah, and a ROT wristband is selling for 65 dollars. 75 dollars at the gate. Plus another 20 dollars to get a decent view of the jump. Since the Myrtle Beach Bike Rally is now defunct due to the City of Myrtle Beach making the celebration illegal in their fair city, ROT has unofficially become the fourth largest biker rally in the nation. There will be 50,000 people there....

And remember, these are bikers. some of them really live the biker life, so don't go and pi** them off, cause they will bust your head open with a beer bottle for mouthing of to them. Just ask they guy that threw an empty beer bottle over the fence into the Bandidos area last year. They grabbed him and beat the s**t out of him. Then they threw him into traffic on the loop. It did happen, as I was there to watch it. dumb move by this guy.

[texaskev]

Hey Chuck,

I'm pretty new to Austin, where are the fair grounds?

Thanks,
Kevin

[w9ctm]

Kevin,
290 east to Decker Lane. (which is just before you hit SH130) Turn right on Decker Lane and go about 2 miles. You'll know it due to the massive number of bikes... Head east on 290 and you can probably just folow the bikes...
If you go out, give me a call at 417-2744. we'll meet and I'll give you some tips on what to watch for and where to go (and NOT go).

[texaskev]

Cool, thanks. I'll be out there Saturday evening and will get in touch with you.

[texfoto]

After much thought I'm gonna pass on seeing the jump. It's going to be 100F today. Gates open at 8pm. He probably won't jump until about 11pm they are reporting on the news. I'll have hung around for 4 seconds of air time and then it's over.

I might hit 6th on the weekend and take some pics.