Track day photography

Steedie

Steedie

Steedie

Man of Honour
Joined
29 Jun 2004
Posts
21,619
Location
Oxfordshire
Hi all,

Really want to get some more practise at motorsport photography, so would like to go along to some track days/race meets.

I figured there would probably be some members on here who do similar so would be able to tell me the best to go too. I'm in Oxford, so nothing too far (<60 miles), and preferably a track that allows a nooby to get some decent photos from plenty of decent spots.

Not fussed about the type of cars or anything like that :)

Thanks guys
 
That is actually 5 minutes or so away from me, and I must admit I've always totally disregarded it given I just assumed it was just a dirt track given the surroundings :p

I might have to check that out! Thanks
 
Steedie said:
That is actually 5 minutes or so away from me, and I must admit I've always totally disregarded it given I just assumed it was just a dirt track given the surroundings :p

I might have to check that out! Thanks
Click to expand...

Should be worth a look.
£10 for the whole day, 7 races and a caravan destruction derby should make for some interesting pictures, plus the slower moving cars than on a proper track should get your tracking eye in. unlike when I tried motorsport at aberdare race park, 200 shots 3 useable, due to blur or miss focusing.
 
What lens and body are you using? There's a bit to think about before you go, specifically setting the focus up correctly. If you are shooting the same place and you're not using expensive glass/body then sometimes it's worth using manual focus for example.
 
Just to add, it may be worth standing near a busy road (safely of course) and practising panning if you've not done it before.
 
I have the annoying issue of being limited in lens choice severely.
I used to take a 55-300mm f4-5.6 Pentax with my Pentax k-500 but I had multiple issues with the screw drive on the lens so just found a slow corner manually set the focus point then switched the camera to auto focus. I also found I was actually using 75- 135mm range more than the top end.

This year I'm hoping to pick up the k3 with a 15-135mm lens, as it has a ultra sonic drive and using either my 35mm, 21mm or 28mm old manual lens for pit walk about.

I have a couple of rally's this year I want to go to so the Pentax's legendary waterproofing should help.


A slight point of practising tracking is don't take pictures of undercover police cars as they get upset..
 
I have had some funny looks when doing it at the side of the road, that's for sure. But I've also managed some cracking photo's.

upsxO19.jpg
 
S2KIP said:
What lens and body are you using? There's a bit to think about before you go, specifically setting the focus up correctly. If you are shooting the same place and you're not using expensive glass/body then sometimes it's worth using manual focus for example.
Click to expand...

I'd be using a 700D with a Canon 70-300 IS USM lens, so nothing too special but hoping it's enough for a start!
 
Steedie said:
Hi all,

Really want to get some more practise at motorsport photography, so would like to go along to some track days/race meets.

I figured there would probably be some members on here who do similar so would be able to tell me the best to go too. I'm in Oxford, so nothing too far (<60 miles), and preferably a track that allows a nooby to get some decent photos from plenty of decent spots.

Not fussed about the type of cars or anything like that :)

Thanks guys
Click to expand...

I'll give you a shout the next time I go to Prescott speed hill climb, its just outside of Cheltenham so not far. I think it's a great little track for photography, not just panning shots but the whole experience.

I know others here have been, so perhaps a mini meet?
 
27th-28th June is the mid summer speed fest. Its round 6 of the midland hill climb championship, so quick cars going up the hill. I'm not sure what else is running that weekend. Kevin Clarke on here has probably been to Prescott more than me, we'll see if he is up for it as well. Even An Exception has been in the past! :)
 
Quick cars going up the hill means easier panning, the old vintage cars go much slower so you need an even slower shutter speed.

Don't worry about kit, it's not absolutely essential for panning shots. I shoot canon as well so your welcome to try what I have if you want.
 
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