My day at Rolex 24

[eRoD]

thanks again everyone!

What were you camera settings for these night shots? and how much light was actually on the cars? I'm going to be down at VIR for a 24hr and would love to try some panning shots like these at night.

I went ahead and edited all of my posts to show the camera settings, other then that I had the camera on AI Servo.

The lighting is hard to explain. To me it felt dark, more like picture #14 "Flying Lizard Audi R8". I unknowingly started to time the shots when the cars came into the light. If you catch them in between 2 lights it looks darker. Again hard to explain.

At first I refused to go above ISO 400 max I didn't want a grainy picture.. but I wasn't liking the results, too dark. I chatted up with a few random photographers and they all told me to bump it up to ISO 1000, so I did. Being this was my first event of this type I didn't know what the hell to do with the lighting. I will say this, I feel way more comfortable shooting at ISO 1000 after this event and just fixing some of the grain in post.

 

[Braineack]

appreciate it.

 

[lambertpix]

FWIW, I think Daytona is considered one of the better-lit tracks for a 24hr race. I wouldn't be surprised if VIR was a lot more variable (well-lit around the pits; less so away).

 

[Braineack]

FWIW, I think Daytona is considered one of the better-lit tracks for a 24hr race. I wouldn't be surprised if VIR was a lot more variable (well-lit around the pits; less so away).

Yeah, it has its spots:


VIR at Night by The Braineack, on Flickr

I requested media passes to try to get into better spots at night...haven't heard back I need to inquire again.

 

[eRoD]

I edited a few more. I'm not going to post all the pictures but when I come across a few good ones i'll post them up. Is that ok? Not familiar with forum rules.

This one was tricky to edit. I was experimenting with flash, I have mixed feelings. What do you think? please let me know if any editing corrections should be made. This flash threw me off, or maybe I'm just edited out... everything is starting to look the same now, lol.


15.

Rolex 24 Daytona 2014 #97 by eRoDStudios, on Flickr

 

[Derrel]

Frames 5 and 6 and 10 really capture the feel of racing for me. Some nice stuff.

 

[Rags]

Nice series...

Your flash shot turned out well... you were far enough away to reduce spot light effect

Never shot cars there (just bikes).. but it is, as mentioned one of the better lit venues for a road track (ovals are easier to light).

I'm scheduled to be there for the Honda Supercross, maybe I'll see you there

BTW good work... :thumbup:

Rags

 

[leeroix]

I know the driver that was in that crash got pretty messed up.

 

[eRoD]

Thanks!

I just got word today that I will be working the Daytona 500 this Sunday. Super excited! I will be shooting for the #26 and #30 teams.

I know the driver that was in that crash got pretty messed up.

It freaked me out. I had the chills. Is he doing better?

 

[leeroix]

Yeah. Hes gonna make it. Broke a lot of bones and severe lacerations. Very lucky to be alive. Hitting an almost parked car at 114mph is never a good thing.

 

[lambertpix]

I edited a few more. I'm not going to post all the pictures but when I come across a few good ones i'll post them up. Is that ok? Not familiar with forum rules.

This one was tricky to edit. I was experimenting with flash, I have mixed feelings. What do you think? please let me know if any editing corrections should be made. This flash threw me off, or maybe I'm just edited out... everything is starting to look the same now, lol.

If I ever have a chance, I'd like to ask a driver if flash at night bothers them at all. My hunch is that they probably never even notice it, but I'd certainly not want to pi$$ anyone off, either.

 

[brian_f2.8]

It is highly recommended that you dont use flash. You wont have your credential yanked but one thing you will do is "bother" the drivers and other photographers will get upset because you will be adding light in which they did not expose for. This year Daytona was well lit. Obviously dont shoot where its dark if you are going to a stopped shot. Use the light to your advantage. If you do use flash make sure the car is going past you, so you get a perpendicular pan or a rear 3/4 shot or even just a rear shot.

Very nice set to the OP.

 

[TheNevadanStig]

Now this is my type of thread! Great shots!

 

[CaboWabo]

I see your shooting at 2.8 , my lens only goes down to f4 so in shot #7 and the settings you used ( 85mm ISO 800f/2.8 1/80sec) can you tell me how I would adjust if you could only go down to f4 , thanks for any help I still learning . Great shots as well I was there for the roar before the 24 great day

 

[brian_f2.8]

Either increase your ISO or slow down the shutter to let in more light.