Photgraphing Drag Races

[DrenalinJunkie]

First off I have just made the jump to DSLR and am still building my lens set up. But I have a question for anyone who has/does shoot drag races.......

Last night was my first attempt at this and I got some ok pictures. I would like to learn more about what you guys/gals settings are when shooting these.

Thanks

[KenJulio]

Forrest - what lenses are you using? 55-200, 70-300, 80-200, 70-200, 300 f2.8, 300 f4? Im thinking shoot as wide open as you can, f2.8 for instance, shutter speed, 1/500th or faster, increase your ISO to achieve a good exposure.

I would start there and adjust accordingly.

[DrenalinJunkie]

When it was still light out I had my 18-105 kit lens on. When the sun went down and I was standing 3 feet from the rail I was using my 50mm f/1.8. I will have to go back and look at the histogram to see what the exact setting were as I was constantly changing them trying to get the best result. Looking back toward the burn out pit and then at the starting line, the lighting was way different.

[DrenalinJunkie]

Most ended up looking like this........

[MT Stringer]

You should be able to capture some better shots if you increase your ISO enough to get your shutter speed a lot higher than 1/250 sec.

If you are shooting from the guard rail, a wide angle lens might be beneficial. The only time I had taken pics at the drag races was from the stands at the Spring Nationals in Baytown and I used the 70-200.

[KenJulio]

I agree with mike, wider and faster. Both shots were shot at 1/250th @ f2, ISO 1100, also, I would suggest NOT shooting in Auto as you will not be able to control your exposure.

[DrenalinJunkie]

ok being new as stated before.............can you tell me how you are seeing the setting I used?

[KenJulio]

I used Exif Viewer which can be downloaded for free. Also, software like Lightroom, Adobe Bridge, iPhoto, for example, can show you these settings.

[DrenalinJunkie]

Originally Posted by KenJulio

I used Exif Viewer which can be downloaded for free. Also, software like Lightroom, Adobe Bridge, iPhoto, for example, can show you these settings.

oh ok. So you just copy the image and open it on your pc?

[KenJulio]

I use a mac, so iPhoto is an app that came with my mac. If you're using Windows, I think the built-in photo editor app should give you the info as well. Try right clicking and then properties, I'm not sure if this would give you the Exif data.

I'm sure others will chime in on the Windows side...

[DrenalinJunkie]

Thanks for the info. And also thanks for just giving input and not ripping me on my photos like I have run into on other sites.

PLEASE keep the info coming folks. I would really like to get much better at taking photos of drag races as well as other car races.

[KenJulio]

We all started somewhere and we all continue learning.

If you want a critique of your photos, then should be posted in the Showcase section, since you're asking about how to shoot and you posted samples, I wouldnt expect any critiques.

[MT Stringer]

I use the EXIF viewer in my browser (Firefox). I can't recall if it is part of the browser package or if I had to download a plugin for FF.

You simply position your mouse over the image, right-click and select View EXIF Info.

Here are a couple of screen grabs.

[hdctx]

I've shot the Nationals a dozen times, and I have to say, my best pics were shot from the stands panning with the cars in the first 1/16 mile, especially close to dusk. The cars are in focus, but everything else gets blurred by the speed. I can get both cars in the same frame from there. The closer you get, the harder it is simply due to their speed. It looks like you were closer than the outside wall. If you're allowed close to the inside wall, by all means get yourself a big big speedlight to stop the action. You could even set up a slave unit on the other side of the cars for more even lighting. When they do 0-100 in under a second, a flash is the only thing that will stop the action, and you can't do that from the outside fence.

[drgibson]

I shoot Flat Track racing and at night lighting is always a challenge. some parts of the tracks are so dark that the camera doesn't even want to focus properly. The speed of the bikes range from 60mph to 130 mph depending on the track. From the inside of the track I can use my SB900 from the outside I'm a spectator even with my 2.8 lenses.

Like everyone else I say wider and faster focusing lenses, pan the shots, and bump up the ISO.