Flash?

[Steve Stein]

While at Sebring, I noticed a lot of media shooters using flash during the night runs. Is this typical? Is it mostly to get the money shots? Does each track or series have their own policy regarding media shooters using flash? I've seen it at short tracks where the photographers have those big blasters firing. It would seem to me that it would be a bit of a bother for drivers having lots of flash pops going off, being that the photographers are so close to the track. I noticed a lot of this in turn 7 at Sebring during the evening practice run.

Just curious about this and learning the ropes.

Steve

[John Thawley]

Wankers.

[Chris Kelly]

Flash has it's place, in the paddock and pits, but I have seen the light as far as shooting with available light on the track itself (I've seen it, but haven't quite captured it yet).

[Aaron Kupferman]

I've thought it might be interesting to put a video "hot light" on my camera and try some nighttime panning with that. Just something to fill the body in a bit. Either put it on camera, or place one or two a little ways away from me. Only thing would be getting permission and finding power for them. I could even try one of those LED panel lights and gel the color of the lights to taste...

[Darren Pierson]

Wankers. Ah yes, the people who made you get up so early for your Saturday meeting.

[Daniel Buck]

I've thought it might be interesting to put a video "hot light" on my camera and try some nighttime panning with that. Just something to fill the body in a bit. Either put it on camera, or place one or two a little ways away from me. Only thing would be getting permission and finding power for them. I could even try one of those LED panel lights and gel the color of the lights to taste...

I bet that's not a bad idea! assuming there's no permission issues doing with extra lights on the track.

[John Thawley]

Wankers. Ah yes, the people who made you get up so early for your Saturday meeting.

Yes... the very same wankers that don't go to the meetings. They just want to shoot on the other side of the fence "because they have a huge pashun (the less popular spelling of passion) for the sport."

Trust me, 75% of the people that show up at the meeting probably don't need the meeting. And... 100% of the people who DON'T show up for the meeting definitely NEED the meeting.

:)

[Chris Kelly]

But, but, but... It's MANDATORY!!!!!! They even checked vest numbers and all (even though I accidently put the wrong number next to my initials). I'm sure they found my error... Wait, they STILL haven't found my error.

[Chris Clark]

I'm not as experienced at night as some of these guys, but in my limited experience, I'm an available light kind of guy too. I will pop a flash occasionally to light the reflective graphics on some of the cars, but it's low powered, or just the pop-up on my 40d or Rebel.

Not a big fan of the pan shot with frozen wheels......

In addition: It's dark out, it's not supposed to look like daytime. Just my opinion.:cool:

[Steve Stein]

Healthy discussion. :)

Anyone ever try some second curtain sync with a flash? I've tried it on some skaters (yeah, don't laugh, just experimenting) and you get some different effects that can look kind of cool with a slow shutter speed and second curtain sync enabled. Plenty of motion blur but still just enough light to get an image.

Chris, I agree. The deer in the headlights look doesn't cut it.

[Brent Smith]

It all depends what you're going for. I shoot a lot of short tracks and I need the flash to get the shots my clients want. I do some without the flash at times but week to week I use my flash.

[Steve Stein]

I don't know if anyone ever seen the Buffalo Wild Wings commercial on TV during the NCAA bball games where the photographer with the Canon and monopod fires off a big, huge flash and sends the game into overtime. That kind of reminds me of using flash trackside. :)