Tips?

[AEJustin1]

So I have a Nikon D3000 and I am going to the Nascar race this weekend, any tips on shooting modes/iso settings? It will be a night race.

 

[TwoTwoLeft]

I'll give you the inside scoop... All the cars will be turning left.

 

[AEJustin1]

lol

 

[Netskimmer]

What lens/lenses do you have? If you are wanting to freeze the action you will need a fast shutter speed, depending on lighting conditions, this could be very difficult at night. Hopefully someone with experience shooting night action shots with artificial lighting can be more helpful with that. You might also look into a technique called 'panning', basically using a slower shutter speed and following the subject (race car) so that it stays in focus while everything around it "streaks by," panning is a good way to illustrate motion in your iphotos. I'm not sure if the D3000 has a continuous focus mode or not. If it does you should try it out and practice with it before hand.

Edit:
Forgot to ask how far from the track you will be.

 

[AEJustin1]

I have the kit lens that came with it the 18-55mm VR lens. I will be up in the stands so I won't be real close for close ups or anything like that. Thanks for your input I'll def be trying some panning shots.

 

[TwoTwoLeft]

That lens you have would be good for photographing "The People of NASCAR"..... As for the race itself you might was well just leave the camera at home.

 

[gsgary]

I have the kit lens that came with it the 18-55mm VR lens. I will be up in the stands so I won't be real close for close ups or anything like that. Thanks for your input I'll def be trying some panning shots.

Forget it leave your camera at home and just enjoy the racing, lens is not long enough or fast enough

 

[Starskream666]

Yeah i think panning with that lens from where you are would be impossible

 

[MissCream]

I agree, enjoy the race and don't worry about getting pictures

 

[jaomul]

I would say bring your camera, set your iso (2000 plus probably) way up, shoot in the highest speed "shutter priority" your lens will allow in the situation and give it a go. If nothing else you will get an idea of what your gear is capable of now, and maybe it will point you in the direction of a more suitable lens for this (possibly something like an 85mm f/1.8 or longer). I would also for the cars manually focus to an area the cars will be and go with that, more than likely the autofocus will hunt in lower light. Enjoy, you might be lucky and get some keepers

 

[Railphotog]

Don't forget to use the peanut-sized built in flash when taking photos. It will certainly reach out several hundred feet and light up the cars as they whiz past. You'll probably see many others doing the same! Get some great shots of the backs of the heads of people 10 feet in front of you too!

 

[gsgary]

I would say bring your camera, set your iso (2000 plus probably) way up, shoot in the highest speed "shutter priority" your lens will allow in the situation and give it a go. If nothing else you will get an idea of what your gear is capable of now, and maybe it will point you in the direction of a more suitable lens for this (possibly something like an 85mm f/1.8 or longer). I would also for the cars manually focus to an area the cars will be and go with that, more than likely the autofocus will hunt in lower light. Enjoy, you might be lucky and get some keepers

Don't you mean 300mm + 85mm will be ok if he is strapped to the roof of the leading car shooting backwards

 

[Vtec44]

if he is strapped to the roof of the leading car shooting backwards

I can't speak for everyone else but that sounds extremely dangerous.

 

[Robin Usagani]

The lens is fast enough but not enough reach. I would just take pics of hot girls

 

[gsgary]

if he is strapped to the roof of the leading car shooting backwards

I can't speak for everyone else but that sounds extremely dangerous.

They don't go fast do they ?