Tips for greyhound photography
Going to the dogs tonight with a pal of mine who has a couple of Greyhounds running so obviously thought "take the camera", but never done them before.
Having done a lot of high speed motorsport stuff I know these fast little b*ggers are going to be a heck of a challenge and combined with the light conditions, at night, maybe impossible.
I have a 7d and the 2 lenses I will take will both form there own problems...
70-200 f2.8...good for the light but maybe too short as I feel I will need reasonable distance for panning these very fast dogs, could add a 1.4 converter?
150-500 f5.6...good length but poor on the light so opposite problem.
Any pointers at all would be well received as I know my pal would love a couple of good shots of the dogs before they retire.
Thanks Steve
Having done a lot of high speed motorsport stuff I know these fast little b*ggers are going to be a heck of a challenge and combined with the light conditions, at night, maybe impossible.
I have a 7d and the 2 lenses I will take will both form there own problems...
70-200 f2.8...good for the light but maybe too short as I feel I will need reasonable distance for panning these very fast dogs, could add a 1.4 converter?
150-500 f5.6...good length but poor on the light so opposite problem.
Any pointers at all would be well received as I know my pal would love a couple of good shots of the dogs before they retire.
Thanks Steve
Try to get a spec at the start of the straight, so you can shoot them coming round the bend. Couple of reasons for that, first they are so fast it is tricky to get them on the straight (I found it more difficult than F1 because you are closer to them). Second reason is there are some cracking shots to be had of them coming round the bend, the angles, the flying sand and also their speed across the frame is less so you have a better chance of getting them in frame.
Try to set a marker and manually focus on that point.
Be prepared to use high iso to obtain decent shutter speeds.
Don't forget to look for photos of the crowd, there are some real characters.
Your 70-200 with a 1.4x should be fine, you can always crop and the lens speed is more important than focal length (in my opinion)
Have fun
Ian
Try to set a marker and manually focus on that point.
Be prepared to use high iso to obtain decent shutter speeds.
Don't forget to look for photos of the crowd, there are some real characters.
Your 70-200 with a 1.4x should be fine, you can always crop and the lens speed is more important than focal length (in my opinion)
Have fun
Ian
You will get something worthwhile I'm sure with the 7D, its fast fps and low light capabilities.
You'll know from your motorsport experience all about panning and pre-focusing on a fixed point.
I've tried both methods with greyhounds and lurchers and had the best results with pre-focused shots where they were running on a track.
I was less successful with panning these beauties at high speed - but then again your pal might like a bit of blur and you might be excellent at your panning technique.
I'd be tempted to try the 70-200 + converter first and see if you are happy with the results.
Could you go to the local park and ask a local dog owner if you could take some shots of their dog chasing a ball or something first?
You'll know from your motorsport experience all about panning and pre-focusing on a fixed point.
I've tried both methods with greyhounds and lurchers and had the best results with pre-focused shots where they were running on a track.
I was less successful with panning these beauties at high speed - but then again your pal might like a bit of blur and you might be excellent at your panning technique.
I'd be tempted to try the 70-200 + converter first and see if you are happy with the results.
Could you go to the local park and ask a local dog owner if you could take some shots of their dog chasing a ball or something first?
Thanks guys for your comments,
Firstly we agree on the lens option and the difficulty due to proximity, the bend concept I like too, so thats a good start
Secondly I have to be honest and say that I had not considered the pre focussed option because of the speed of the dogs...was going to go down the route of servo and panning? Panning isnt too shabby but dogs who knows!
High ISO again agreed ...with the fixed focus point what f stop to shutter speed would you suggest as ideal, I appreciate ISO will affect this?
I have 3 races before my mates so a wee bit of practice first time today for the local park is a non starter unfortunately.
Steve
Firstly we agree on the lens option and the difficulty due to proximity, the bend concept I like too, so thats a good start
Secondly I have to be honest and say that I had not considered the pre focussed option because of the speed of the dogs...was going to go down the route of servo and panning? Panning isnt too shabby but dogs who knows!
High ISO again agreed ...with the fixed focus point what f stop to shutter speed would you suggest as ideal, I appreciate ISO will affect this?
I have 3 races before my mates so a wee bit of practice first time today for the local park is a non starter unfortunately.
Steve
With your 7D and 8fps - I'd pre-focus on a fixed point and fill your buffer, releasing the shutter a fraction of a second before the dogs reach it.
In broad daylight I've still had unacceptable results below 1/500th sec - greyhounds really, really move fast.
They bring their back legs right up under them and kick back like coiled springs - they are amazingly fast.
I don't know what ISO you want to use - but I understand the 7D has superb low light capabilities.
I'd work it backwards - use a min of 1/500 sec / the highest ISO you are prepared to accept (given the low light anyway) and use the fstop accordingly.
Great idea for a corner shot - the expressions and concentration on their faces are amazing.
I tried servo and panning - but with the speed these hounds fly at, my shots were out of focus as the dogs were moving so fast. I had the best results with manual focus at a fixed point - servo and IS off.
You'll be fine - you'll get some great shots and you'll love it.
In broad daylight I've still had unacceptable results below 1/500th sec - greyhounds really, really move fast.
They bring their back legs right up under them and kick back like coiled springs - they are amazingly fast.
I don't know what ISO you want to use - but I understand the 7D has superb low light capabilities.
I'd work it backwards - use a min of 1/500 sec / the highest ISO you are prepared to accept (given the low light anyway) and use the fstop accordingly.
Great idea for a corner shot - the expressions and concentration on their faces are amazing.
I tried servo and panning - but with the speed these hounds fly at, my shots were out of focus as the dogs were moving so fast. I had the best results with manual focus at a fixed point - servo and IS off.
You'll be fine - you'll get some great shots and you'll love it.
Sorry - one other very important point - don't fill the frame with an image of one dog - as they run, these dogs can rise up and down by quite a large amount - if you fill the frame, you'll end up chopping bits off.
Unlike cars and bikes which stick to the track and are fairly predictable - greyhounds can rise up and down as well.
Just to keep you on your toes
Unlike cars and bikes which stick to the track and are fairly predictable - greyhounds can rise up and down as well.
Just to keep you on your toes
Steve - some inspiration for you
All paws in the air
If you Google "Greyhound racing" then click on "images" - you'll see all the problems we've discussed above - but there are some stunning shots to inspire you as well
All paws in the air
If you Google "Greyhound racing" then click on "images" - you'll see all the problems we've discussed above - but there are some stunning shots to inspire you as well
Check with the track first about taking photos - some can be a bit touchy.
If you tell them what you are trying to achieve - they might allow you in a better position, closer to the action.
A couple of prints for the track owners wouldn't go amiss either - you never know where it might lead.
Other owners could also ask you if you've captured their dog in the shot - potential extra sales as well.
If they like what they see - you could be busy on the night
If you tell them what you are trying to achieve - they might allow you in a better position, closer to the action.
A couple of prints for the track owners wouldn't go amiss either - you never know where it might lead.
Other owners could also ask you if you've captured their dog in the shot - potential extra sales as well.
If they like what they see - you could be busy on the night
Saw your post at 10.35. Hope you didn't use flash! Or let your camera fire focusing lights! The losing dog owners will blame you for their dogs failure to win. And that could turn very nasty. The only way to photo the dogs is to set your camera on manual, pre-focus on a particular spot, and when the dogs hit that spot, trip the shutter. I'd suggest using a tripod and a remote shutter release.
