Drag racing advice please

[Dunnart]

Hi everyone

I have the chance to go to the drag races in Sydney in a couple of weeks time and would love to take some photos. I've never been to the drags before, so any hints on what lenses to take, where to stand, what to shoot, etc would be greatly appreciated. I wont have a press pass - I'll just be one of the spectators and only have access to the sort of places they normally can get to. I expect that wont be real close to the cars, except maybe in the pits.

Ist item on the list to take is EARPLUGS !!

Other gear at my disposal
D2h
D70s
Tokina 12 - 24 f2.8
17 - 55 f2.8
80 - 200 f2.8
300 f 4
Kenko 1.4 TC
monopod
tripod
spare batteries, memory cards and PSD

Thanks for you help

 

[ddietiker]

You might try PM'ing kennyg92. He is the track photographer at Pacific Raceways. It is an NHRA track.

 

[Dunnart]

Thanks for the tip Douglas.

 

[Hyper-Performance]

I'm not the best by far, but I enjoy the heck out of attempting racing photography.

I try to stand about 20-30 feet past the "tree" to be able to catch the action from the line as well as back in the burnout box. Timing is everything - sometimes you have to watch the tree countdown with one eye as you frame through the camera with the other - practice, practice, practice - you'll get more precise with your trigger each session. Focusing can be a bit tricky. I either manually focus or hold the auto focus (button half-way) so that the camera isn't making adjustments at the critical point of launch.

Lighting and background are always in a flux. I have given up on worrying about too much of the background, tracks are just what you see.

Ear plugs/muffs and other safety gear is a good idea. The high powered cars can be ear numbing.

Check with the track folk to make sure they are OK with where you stand, some events will not allow free lance folks right next to the track. Try not to be distracting to the racers...the more friendly and accomodating you are, the more freedom you will be given over time.

Here is a photo I took at an event just this evening:

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[Ruffles]

+1 for the ear plugs. It's unreal how loud the cars are. You actually feel it in your gut. Dusk is a great time to shoot as you can catch the flames from the headers and still have decent shutter speeds. Good luck and enjoy!

 

[eng45ine]

Wow, what a great opportunity to shoot and you have received such great advice from our members. I can't add a thing except to wish you good luck and have a great time. We'll be waiting to see your shots when you get back.

 

[Dunnart]

+1 for the ear plugs. It's unreal how loud the cars are. You actually feel it in your gut. Dusk is a great time to shoot as you can catch the flames from the headers and still have decent shutter speeds. Good luck and enjoy!

I know what you mean Ruffles. I saw a "funny car" give a burn out exhibition at the local race track a couple of years ago and I had to stop shooting and put my fingers in my ears. It hurt !!

 

[Hyper-Performance]

I had the opportunity to do a shoot of Funny Car, the noise was so deafening I had to wear ear plugs with and ear muff type protection over the top just to keep my sanity. It was more like being hit by a shock wave when they were right by you. Here is one hint to keep your ears from popping - ALWAYS face the car (pan the camera) even after you made your shot. You distribute the sound to both ears equally and it doesn't hit just the one ear.

 

[clickcanada]

Most racers love to have good quality pics of their cars, I know that we get approached all the time by guys that have pics for sale. If you record who they are and go see them in the pits afterwards, you might be able to sell a few of them!
The best drag pics are usually of the car launching, nothing more impressive than seeing the car digging in and the front wheels motionless in the air

Good luck and remember those ear plugs!:wink:

 

[ddietiker]

The best drag pics are usually of the car launching, nothing more impressive than seeing the car digging in and the front wheels motionless in the air

Yeah, best time for a shot

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[Hyper-Performance]

Great shot Doug - good "reaction" off the tree

Steve: Don't be afraid to try off angle shots. Some of the racers tire of seeing the same old angle. Keep it fresh and exciting, just like the sport!

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And don't forget what goes on behind the scenes and around you. There are always plenty of opportunities for interesting crowd shots, pit shots, or even cool cars that are in the pits but not on the track.

Have fun and show us what you got!!

 

[clickcanada]

Nice pic Douglas! Reminded me of the coolness of capturing the rear tires wadding up too:biggrin:

 

[clickcanada]

Great point Dave, you could do some great micro work in the pits. A tough capture but cool shot is to get 2 cars that are crossing the finish line at nearly the same time! You will need a lense with some reach for that one, uaually the won't let anyone near the guard rails at the top end.

 

[jsch33]

Here's one from Firebird Int'l in Phoenix during NHRA "pre-season" testing. Taken from the stands since it seems they only allow team photogs on the starting lines. More in the gallery and some from '05 testing there also.

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[Bill K]

Here are a few I took with my D200, 17-55 and 70-200vr.
The above 2 lenses are my most used lenses at the track, Drags or NASCAR.

24-120vr

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70-200 vr

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17-55

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70-200 vr

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[Dunnart]

Well, only 2 days to go before I get to the drag meet on Saturday and the weather forecast looks good !

I've decided to take the following gear
D2h
D70s
17 - 55
80 - 200
300 f4
1.4 tc
SB 800
monopod
extra batteries, cards and psd

If I can't get some nice photos with that lot, then its not the gear's fault :smile:

Oh year, and I have the earplugs in my camera bag already !

 

[Hyper-Performance]

I look forward to seeing your captures!

 

[DAVE VAN]

Wow,
There are some great photos here! The D2h is perfect for this type of shooting. I generally prefocus on an area I know the action will be in and try to follow by keeping one eye one the car and the other in the viewfinder. This is where the 8fps of the D2h will shine. Don't be afraid to take a lot of shots as you can easily weed them down to just the best! I do a different type of Drag Racing which I hear is now becoming very popular "Down Under". :smile:

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[SCRacer]

I am a little late seeing this thread but wanted to say good luck. I used to drag racing and my boyfriend still does. I'd rather be driving but I don't mind standing on the sidelines taking photos. here is one of my boyfriend.

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[ddietiker]

Love all your shots :biggrin:

Here are a few more I just got last weekend. The two lens I used were the 28-70 and the 80-200.

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