Advice for Horse Racing Photography

• pdillon

  Member

  March 13, 2010 at 8:27 am

  Hi All.. I will be going horse racing on Sunday and taking my camera of course. I am only new to photography and I dont really want to be taking all my lenses with me, so what would you recommend. I have my favourite 50mm, a 18-55mm or a 75-300mm lens?? Any tips or advice on anything would be really really appreciated. Cheers Paula
  brendancullen

  Participant

  March 13, 2010 at 10:49 am

  Hi Paula,

  Off to Navan or Limerick – or a Point to Point?

  Here’s my tips (Canon speak)

  Take the 75-300.

  Two types of shots to do – freeze the action – and ‘Panning’

  To freeze shots
  AV mode at 1/600 or faster depending on the light. If the aperture goes to f/5.6 – see if you can get closer to the fence or hurdle. More light will get in a f/4.
  AUTO ISO
  partial metering
  AL Servo mode
  Continuous shooting

  Focus on the top of the fence and wait for the horses to jump over while firing a burst of shots as 10 metres before they take off.
  If they are too dark – reduce shutter speed.

  Panning
  AV mode
  1/60 or 1/80
  AUTO ISO
  Partial metering
  AL Servo Mode
  Continuous shooting
  Switch off Image Stabisation for this one.

  Take many shots as the horses pass in front of you.

  Set your focal lenght to fill the frame in front of you – then follow the jockeys silks with a single central focus point as they approach (from approx 50 metres away) and pass. Keeping ‘panning’ and firing all the way.

  

  You can go out on a main road today and practise both of these techniques on cars. You won’t get much time to practise at the races.

  You could take the ‘nifty fifty’ to take some horse head shots/portraits in the parade ring if you are allowed in. Use a f/4 or f/5.6 in AV mode maybe. ISO 100.

  have a great day.

  bren
  http://www.flickr.com/photos/brencullen/
  pdillon

  Member

  March 13, 2010 at 9:01 pm

  Hi Bren

  Once again you have given me some great advice.. Thank you, and if you have any other tips… i.e (winners!!) he he… that would be appreciated too (im going to Limerick)

  I have a few pictures put on Flickr too, I think this link will find my page, but if it doesnt search under paula_dillon74yahoo.com

  (only kidding about the tips for the horses that is)

  http://www.flickr.com/photos/48169509N05/” onclick=”window.open(this.href);return false;” onclick=”window.open(this.href);return false;” onclick=”window.open(this.href);return false;

  Thanks Again

  Paula