Speedway at Night [Archive] - Automotive Photographers Network

Jeff Thomas

11-05-2009, 06:07 AM

Bill Jurasz

11-05-2009, 09:59 AM

Will you be close enough to the cars for flash to make any difference? I would shoot night MX with flash, but you can get pretty close to the bikes at an MX race. I would use manual mode, aperture at 2.8 or 4, iso 800 to 1600, shutter speed to the highest flash sync speed, and make sure the flash was not on high-speed-synch (important). It would still take a fair amount of post-processing afterwards to get this:

http://mercphoto.smugmug.com/photos/86425594_RjmgZ-M.jpg

Blake Blakely

11-05-2009, 01:24 PM

What if you're not close enough to use flash? Might be a good thing;)

If the lighting is not too bad, I would try and get more atmosphere. I think you would also be concerned about white balance at that point. The image Bill posted has a certain flavor. But to me it seems too static. Like the bikes were suspended on wires against a black backdrop.

Not that I've had the chance to do this type of shot. I'm just sayin'...

Jeff Kapic

11-05-2009, 04:43 PM

I am fairly new to shooting dirt track stuff at night. I have really enjoyed it until it gets dark out...that's is when I have struggled with what I want to achieve.
I have been very sparing with my flash so far, but would like to use it more. I really want to do some remote flash shots. Only the last shot posted is with a flash.

At my track, the lights seem to be the best on the front and back straight. Plus you get two different looks with the grandstands in the BG or some nice trees. I am very lucky with this track as most are not this nice.
http://www.paradigmimages.com/Motorsports/Automotive/Louie-Vermeil-Classic/IMG0589/642786098_qnSEC-L.jpg

http://www.smugmug.com/photos/615495752_DL6jD-L.jpg

The corners are not as nice. Dark cars almost get lost.
http://www.paradigmimages.com/Motorsports/Automotive/Louie-Vermeil-Classic/IMG0525/642780799_hMwrG-L.jpg

When I do use the flash, I try to balance it with the BG, like this pre-grid shot.

http://www.paradigmimages.com/Motorsports/Automotive/Louie-Vermeil-Classic/IMG0738/642789816_Pbikz-L.jpg

When the sun is up I shoot in Tv, Av and manual. When it goes down, I am pretty much in manual and the ISO is up (800-1600). The flash is in manual also and I just try to use it as fill for now.
I thing I don't like about not using a flash is the colors don't pop like they do with a flash. Of course when you do use it, it usually looks like the cars are parked or were pasted into the picture.

Jeff

Bill Jurasz

11-05-2009, 10:27 PM

That first shot is killer Jeff. :)

Brent Smith

11-05-2009, 10:43 PM

I shoot a lot of road racing bike and cars ,but I have an upcoming event that I would like some advice on.
I"ve asked to cover a speeedway event at night. The track lighting is sorta OK but not good for shooting.
I have a D700 and was going to use 70-200 f2.8 ,with SB 800.
I was thinking of shooting in S mode ,auto ISO ,at f2.8,and the body set to rear sync flash .
What should the sb800 be set to.?
Your thoughts would be much appreicated.

Jeff

Jeff,

What look are you going for? I shoot mainly dirt tracks and almost always use the flash at night. The regional racing paper loves shots like this (with flash)

http://www.brentsmithphotography.com/2009/Grandview/Grandview-August-15-2009/GVW5167/621312054_zgKsF-M.jpg

http://www.brentsmithphotography.com/2009/New-Egypt/New-Egypt-August-1-2009/NES1769/609059418_bXD8C-M.jpg

http://www.brentsmithphotography.com/2009/New-Egypt/New-Egypt-August-1-2009/NES1805/609060215_T2osR-M.jpg

I'd like to use the flash less but the paper has not been very accepting of stuff like this (or like what Jeff Kapic posted) no matter how many times I send stuff in. (w/o flash)

http://www.brentsmithphotography.com/2009/Grandview/Grandview-A/GVW6948/655262929_QijVv-M.jpg

It all depends what your client is looking for.

I shoot with the camera in manual mode and then will try to use ETTL on the flash. If ETTL is working for me I usually end up going +1/3 or +2/3 on the flash setting. If ETTL isn't possible I'll then go to manual on the flash as well. Every place is different when it comes to lighting and how much light the background will absorb. You're best off playing around with your settings and see what works instead of trying to guess the setting ahead of time. Most definitely try with and without the flash.

Jeff Thomas

11-06-2009, 03:51 AM

Thanks guys
The images posted here are great. They are far better than I achieved with my old D200.I'm sure the D700 will make a difference.
Thanks for the advice shall try and see if I can get as good as results .

Jeff

Steve Stein

11-06-2009, 05:12 PM

Hey, if there's any other shooters there with their Tiki Torches lighting up the night, you can key off their flash and get these. Still get some blur to the wheels and background and not have to use a flash.

http://sasteinphoto.com/img/v1/p1002882244-4.jpg

http://sasteinphoto.com/img/v8/p784709322-4.jpg

John Thawley

11-06-2009, 11:42 PM

Steve... while I agree, these aren't bad... the wheels still have that stroboscopic effect... and then there are those huge car monster shadows on the rail.

Daniel Buck

11-07-2009, 03:22 AM

a friend of mine used to shoot dirt track stuff, he would bring out some strobes and set them up in somewhat of a 3-point lighting, nice results that are much different looking than a camera mounted flash, or a single off-camera flash.

Steve Stein

11-07-2009, 06:08 PM

Steve... while I agree, these aren't bad... the wheels still have that stroboscopic effect... and then there are those huge car monster shadows on the rail.

Well, it was beyond dark so getting anything was a challenge. For some reason, I can't see popping flashes as others were doing along the rails could benefit the drivers. Are they that focused that they don't get blinded?

Jeff Thomas

11-08-2009, 05:57 AM

Thanks again for your continued input.

Jeff