Marathon Foto?

[Kev]

anyone have any experience with them? They contacted me today about shooting pre-race candids and event photos for them at the Hotter'n'Hell 100 bicycle race this weekend. They supply all equipment and cards. Flat fee plus a residual on sales to the riders.

[janikphoto]

I've heard OF them, but don't know ABOUT them...

[studiocygnet]

Yeah, they are the biggest company I know of doing running and cycling events around Texas. It's kind of assembly line photography. You get a spot along the side of the road where you take photos of as many participants as possible, with a focus on their entry number placard. Then the company sends out proofs by matching that number with name and address data supplied by the event.
My impression is that most of the photogs pre-focus on a line in the road and then just fire off as many fps as the camera will take, since cyclists are usually in a paceline. Normally they are out on the course 30 or 40 miles to get the riders spread out a bit, and often right before or after a rest stop, so that the groups aren't as tight.

[lbolton]

I'm a newbie here, but thought I'd chime in as I've been on the receiving end of their work. I've run a couple of marathons, and they do exactly as you stated. They continue to shoot until the runner is completely across the finish line, water station, or wherever they are placed. The company sent me all the shots with my bib number and I had the opportunity to choose which (if any) I wanted. It seems they hold the pics a year, then a reminder came out about them being available for a short time if I wanted to order them, then gone for good, so if they offer residuals, that would probably go on for the year.

The pics were okay, what I would expect after finishing a marathon~I certainly did NOT look like Ms. America! I ordered one to prove I finished, but that was about it!

[Cajungaltx]

Originally Posted by lbolton

The pics were okay, what I would expect after finishing a marathon~I certainly did NOT look like Ms. America! I ordered one to prove I finished, but that was about it!

Ditto - I have one of me in the Capital of Texas Triatholon... holy cow.... yeah... skin tight clothing on my body was not an attractive site. But I finished the dang thing... and went on to do a couple more before my knee injury... I love the photo because it shows that even big girls can do that kind of stuff!

[lbolton]

I ran Nike 3 years ago (doing it again this Oct!) and they had the San Francisco Fire Dept in tuxedos at the finish line passing out Tiffany's necklaces. For some reason we thought that was pretty cool, until we realized how terrible we looked after the 26.2 miles!

[Cajungaltx]

Originally Posted by lbolton

I ran Nike 3 years ago (doing it again this Oct!) and they had the San Francisco Fire Dept in tuxedos at the finish line passing out Tiffany's necklaces. For some reason we thought that was pretty cool, until we realized how terrible we looked after the 26.2 miles!

Yeah - you just ain't pretty at that point. But boy you feel good about yourself.

[Kalrog]

Originally Posted by Cajungaltx

Ditto - I have one of me in the Capital of Texas Triatholon... holy cow.... yeah... skin tight clothing on my body was not an attractive site. But I finished the dang thing... and went on to do a couple more before my knee injury... I love the photo because it shows that even big girls can do that kind of stuff!

I have one of me finishing the Freescale (it was Freescale that year) Marathon - the year it was ICE on every bridge and half the rest of the road as well. This one was cool because I grabbed my (then) 4 year old son and threw him on my shoulders for the last half mile. So there I am with him fully bundled in a huge parka, mittens, hats, ... and me in shorts and sweating.

That was a fun race.

[toverman]

Kind of strange that they'd wait to nearly the last minute to find more help. If it's something you want to do, go for it. The event (as you know) is huge. Weather should actually make it Hotter N' Hell this year.

I bought one photo they took of me riding in the 2007 Hotter 'N Hell. It must not have been that far into the ride, because I gave the photog a "thumbs up." One cool thing is that there's a speed limit sign behind me (60 mph). Swear I wasn't going that fast!

[Kev]

well.. it's $225 guaranteed for the day: Pre-race candids using their Nikon D60s 18-70 lens and SB600, $75 or .30 per sellable image, which ever is greater...post race photos in front of a banner.. $150 or .30 per sellable image, using the D60s and Metz flashes..that's at least $225 towards wireless triggers

[toverman]

I'd do it if I was in WF, but if I was in WF I'd be riding! Kind of a bummer you have to use their equipment, but at least that's wear and tear your gear won't have to suffer through.

[Kev]

They contacted me yesterday off a referral from a local processing/camera store. They're still looking for a couple more shooters if there is anyone in the WF area.