Track day

[MotionBoy]

I posted one shot in the Critique forum, but here are some more from the day. I would like to hear what you guys think.

[mjm]

2nd is my favorite. Great timing & motion without any distractions in the background.

what lens to do shoot these with?

[MotionBoy]

Thanks! My favorite, as you may be able to tell, is the big one of #54. Mainly because you can see the Heat from his exhaust.

I shot these with the 70-200 2.8l (bike 42, white honda, and beat up SV) and the same lens with the 2x teleconverter (54 and 727) I am pretty psyched with the teleconverter. Very sharp though I think it slows down the focusing so you have to be a little more carefull.

[mtbbrian]

I like that one too Josh, #54, but the yellow truck is a little too distracting. I like the effect from the exhaust too, but the yellow causes my eye to wander over there very easily.
The one of #421 has a much cleaner background.
Brian

[mjm]

as brian pointed out, the background on #54 is distracting. i really like how tight that shot is, however there is too much space on the right side of the shot and not enough on the left.

i plan on shooting some motorcycle stuff soon. i have the 70-200 F4 and hope that will be enough...

i like the beat up SV

[MotionBoy]

70-200 f4 will be fine, though it is a bit limiting in some areas of the track because... you have to get to close to the action. It is a little intimidating especially when something like this:

tumbles past you at about 80mph after slowing down from 160mph by tumbling along!

I agree with the background. I wish I had a longer lens! 400 2.8 is looking pretty good, to bad I am not independantly wealthy! I shot those shots at AV 5.6 and was hoping that the background would take care of itself. I guess you can't have everything all the time.

I definitely recommend going to the track it is very fun, but pay attention! Look at the track and where the riders will go if they fall. The track that I was at there were lots of parts and pieces in the areas that were the biggest crash zones. No matter where you are you are vulnerable so keep your eyes and ears open!

[MattyBoyR6]

I understand your hesitance in getting close to the action. One of the first races I filmed with my crew last year had a nasty get off. 3 bikes went off 2 went down, one low side one high side and the guy that high sided ended up getting run over and knocked out. This all happened about 100 ft away from me with my back turned towards them. I was filming the lead group going for the checkered. Our fathest camera did happen to get all the action. Great footage. I also made sure to position myself inbetween tire barriers seeing how I was on the outside of the turns.

Rule of thumb is stay on the inside of the turns or behind a barrier. Watch out for transitional areas like chicanes. Great spot for wheelie shots coming out of the slow corners but the riders are prone to throwing their bike down in those areas, and down the track a bit too.

[SunnySideUp]

The second is my fav... wonder if you could bring out the sky some more?
The fifth shot is great because of the nice use of the Turkey pan or what ever you may call it.

[MotionBoy]

Man I would love to bring out the sky some more. Let me know if you have any suggestions. I can't really think of anything that would bring up the sky without affecting the rest of the shot.