Advice wanted

[bigbob]

I have been asked by a friend to take some pictures for him at a charity event this Sunday as I've done some for him before i said yes.
Now i find out that it is dragon boat racing, his charity has teamed up with the British dragon boat association to run both events together now the B.D.A have asked me to also take there pictures. Now my record on even slow moving objects isn't that good so any advice would be helpfull. you can check out these guys at www.execalibre.co.uk

[Tim N]

Hey Bob,
Before you go to the sporting event make sure you have the right modes set on your camera. ISO 200 (if its a cloudy / dull day set it faster) , Centre focus point, Tracking AF mode, motor drive etc. Make sure all your lenses are cleaned the night before so all you do is rock up on the day point your camera and set your shutter speed and aperture then start taking photos. You will want to be shooting around 1/800th for anything moving.

I am sure there are plenty of other things people can add to this list !!

I find the canon is best if I let it track the subject for a couple of sec before actually taking the photo, you shouldnt have trouble tracking your subject prior to taking a shot or 2 or 10

Enjoy the day Bob ... will look forward to seeing your results !

[Carmyllie]

Bob
How many boats will be in the event?

I'd map the course out beforehand and pick a spot which is level and central if possible ( a landing/ jetty/ bridge) on the approach side. I took some images of very fast moving boats over the weekend on an estuary as they approached, and all are crystal clear. You'll have plenty of time to snare some beauties if the boats are slower moving.

Also, use the start/finish line and the preparation times to take portrait work.

Look forward to the results

Jenn

[bigbob]

Now you people in OZ are more used to taking pictures is full sunlight than us poms, but at the moment we have some very unusual sunshine so this is outside anything i am used to. Am i going to get a lot of burn out from the water on the day or should i forget that and just concentrate on the boats and the rowers or should i take some filters (n.d) with me? HELP

[Analog6]

Nd filters will help Bob, bright sunlight and water are, of course, the worst combination.  You can do a lot in PP too.  A grad ND may be the way to go to tone down the sky.

[Tim N]

Nd filters will help Bob, bright sunlight and water are, of course, the worst combination.  You can do a lot in PP too.  A grad ND may be the way to go to tone down the sky.

Perhaps a circular polariser if you have one as well ?? !!
Depends on the angle how bad the glare is going to be. Move around and see what is the best position for least glare.

[Analog6]

Can ypu go for a day before and watch the light at the time you will want to be shooting.  Might help to scout out spots etc.