Sports Flash Photography Questions

[tufcat]

I am going to Homestead for some NASCAR pictures. Among other things, I am going to be photographing the Busch race, which looks like it will end after dark. I expect to be photographing from the pits, inside the pit box area. I will be using my D50 and a SB800 flash for the night shots. I will be relegated to using one or more of the following lenses.

[A] 50mm, f/1.8: The Homestead pits are tight. While the f/1.8 would be beneficial (I'm sure) I don't think 50mm will give me a wide enough field of view (too close).
[B] 17-50mm f/2.8: This will likely be my lens of choice to get a wide enough angle.
[C] 15mm f/2.8 fisheye: Might make for some interesting shots.
[D] 85mm f/1.8: I may try some close-up driver shots during pit stops (not sure how well nighttime driver shots through the window net will work out).

I think I can handle the daytime photos, but my nighttime (flash) photo skills are untested and no doubt, lacking. Any help would be appreciated.

Flash Photography Questions:
[1] Should I use TTL or the GN setting on the SB800 flash?
{2} ISO recommendations (200-1600, prefer to use 400, 800 max).
[3] Other recommendations?

[JSPhoto]

I'd suggest getting ouside at night and just practicing with each lens and learn what your flash can and can't do, using that as a starting point. Make sure to use any and all lenses you intend to take as well. If the Nikon flash works as it should you may be able to use it in a fill flash mode at the track to get rid of the shadows hich will be the biggest problem. Night track lighting should be pretty good.

JS

[readingr]

Consider the impact of the flash on the drivers night vision. It could cause an accident.

Roger

[JSPhoto]

Consider the impact of the flash on the drivers night vision. It could cause an accident.

Roger

Flash will have NO effect on the drivers on the track or on pit road. They are very used to flash and do not even notice it, even with the large Norman flashes. Even on tiny small tracks the drivers do not notice the flash whether the photographers are inside or outside or both, they have more important things to worry about, and at tracks like Homstead the flash is pretty much drowned out of their view by the MUSCO lighting

JS

[readingr]

Flash will have NO effect on the drivers on the track or on pit road. They are very used to flash and do not even notice it, even with the large Norman flashes. Even on tiny small tracks the drivers do not notice the flash whether the photographers are inside or outside or both, they have more important things to worry about, and at tracks like Homstead the flash is pretty much drowned out of their view by the MUSCO lighting

JS

I used to rally at night and flash was a killer. We had no lighting as on the track.

Roger

[SmartWombat]

Depends whether it's shot straight into their faces, or side on.
Many night races (like ALMS for example) are at tracks where the pits and corners are well lit, which to me means it's not really a ngiht race, and the effect of flash is far less.
I see many pros shooting side on, or 3/4 during pit stops, but not one head-on as the driver turns in.

[JSPhoto]

I used to rally at night and flash was a killer. We had no lighting as on the track.

Roger

Roger, your trying to compare apples to oranges here, this is about NASCAR on an oval, and a well lit track, not a road course with little or no lighting, a big difference. The drivers are also different, these guys run at big and small tracks with flash going off on every lap and every pit stop of the night races, they are used to it.
If there weren't any flashes going off they'ed think something is wrong!

JS

[livin4lax09]

just from biology, it doesnt matter if drivers are used to it or not, flashes straight into their eyes head on will affect their vision. if they're used to it then the effect won't be as big, but itll still hinder their sight, there's absolutely no doubt about that. there's no such thing as a built up immunity to sudden bursts of light.

[readingr]

Roger, your trying to compare apples to oranges here, this is about NASCAR on an oval, and a well lit track, not a road course with little or no lighting,
JS

Now a road would have been nice - we use forestry tracks in the UK, gravel, ruts, trees, mud banks, ditches, log piles, No can't remember a road surface :lol:

Roger

[tufcat]

Any thoughts on camera / flash settings?

[mikeh]

i do extreme sports shoots most are freestyle
i use p mode on my nikon and sb800 set to ttl/bl
iso not higher tha 400
use my 80- 200 f2.8 lens
this works for me get good fill light
if you want motion blurr then use front or rear curtain sync.
and change to shutter mode try 1/60sec.

[JSPhoto]

Use Manual Mode, those other modes do not work for motorsports. Start with daytime settings of 800/800 and use your F stop to adjust for exposure, that will give you a good tire spin and so forth. At night figure ISO around 1250, f2.8 and adjust your shutter speed for the exposure.
Don't use other modes unless you just want to play and see what you get as they really do not work well.

As for your flash you'll have to look at your photos and histogram to figure that out.

1: slight overcast as it gets darker ISo 800 shutter 400
2: ISO 1250 shutter 250 f2.8 full power -1/8 on flash
3: ISO 800 shutter 800 f18

JS

[tufcat]

Thanx Mike and JS.

JS, what a great capture on the #9 car, a real pro shot.

[JSPhoto]

Thanx Mike and JS.

JS, what a great capture on the #9 car, a real pro shot.

Thanks in the next frame you could see the weights coming out from under the car. I have this whole series from start to finish, I think 27 frames. I almost didn't get it, it was on the last lap of the Brickyard 400 a couple years ago and almost started to walk back towards the car but decided to wait, and was glad I did after this series. Most of the shooters had left the corner at 25 to go, and when this happened there were 5 of 30 photographers left here, and of those only two of us got this wreck.

Be on your toes, things happen fast, and wrecks tend to happen on the last lap so be ready.

JS