Steeplechase

[nkeevers]

I'm possibly going to a steeplechase event on Sunday and could use some hints on what would be the best settings for a lot of fast running horses! I don't really use "auto" any more. But, maybe the sport mode would be the best for something like this?

[Byron Gale]

Norma,

I think you have to decide whether you want to freeze the horses in mid-action, or would like a bit of motion blur to show that they were moving. Also, do you think you will be panning with them, or just shooting stationary?

I don't know absolute shutter speeds to recommend, but you could probably practice photographing cars driving past your home to get an idea of what settings will make them look like they're parked, vs. which "almost" freeze them. Then you could practice panning with the car, to blur the background - again, try it with various shutter speeds.

At minimum, I would select Shutter priority and tinker with speeds until I had a feel for what I liked.

I will be interested in others' thoughts, as well.

Byron

[nkeevers]

Well, I haven't done any "panning" yet so I'm gonna stick with regular shooting. I was going to try different settings in shutter priority...guess it'll be hit or miss for a bit. Good idea trying with cars! I would like them stationary running and not blurred.

I'd be interested in other opinions too!

[kimh]

Sometimes it's good to have a little blur to imply some motion.
JMHO:)
Kimh

[nkeevers]

I'm going to check my book again and will try both probably. We'll see how well they come out! It'll be an experience. The last time I took motion pictures (it was a rodeo a while back), I was using sport mode. So this will be fun.

[kimh]

Yes, take notes as you know we'll need them:p
kimh

[nkeevers]

LOL Kim!!!

[lexcell]

I prefer to shoot action in aperture priority. I select an aperture that will give me the speed I need to either blur or stop the action and fire away. To blur motion you will select a smaller aperture (8,11, etc) and to freeze motion you select a wider aperture (2.8, 4.0, etc)

The reason I use aperture priority instead of shutter priority is...
If, for example, I am in shutter priority and I select 1/500 of a second and my camera selects say 2.8, my widest aperture then I pan with the subject and the light value changes to a darker value. My images will be under exposed because the lens won;t open up any farther to accomodate the lower light.
If I shoot in aperture priority and I select 2.8 which gives me the 1/500 of a second as in the previous example and the light value changes, the shutter speed will slow down and I still get a proper exposure. Yes, I may have some blur but at least I have a good exposure to work with.
Definitely take the opportunity to pan with the horses. As mentioned...fast shutter speeds will freeze the action and slower shutter speeds will blur the subject conveying a sense of motion.
Shoot the action on the field as well as the action behind the scenes as much as you can. The horses, the riders, the spectators, etc. Sometimes the spectators can be as entertaining as the race itself.
Basically shoot, shoot, shoot and shoot some more.

[Byron Gale]

Laurie,

Thanks for the explanation about using aperture priority!

Byron

[nkeevers]

Laurie, thanks for the tips! I will try in AV instead of TV. Well, maybe I'll try both! I read up on the panning so I'll even try that instead. I'll be using my 70-300 telephoto. I know I can't do 2.8 with mine..the lowest might be 4 something. It should be an interesting day! The will definitely have a lot of intersting subject to shoot. They are having the steeplechase, carriage shows, Jack Russell races, etc. Should be fun! I just hope I get some good shots! I will not be happy if nothing comes out!

[Grant]

Ok, here is how an old guy would do it. The biggest problem with fast moving photography, sports and the like, is the lag from the time you press the shutter and the time the shutter trips. While the new fan dangle cameras are great at doing things automatically the process takes time. The Camera evaluated the exposer and the lens hunts for the proper focus and when it finds this it will let you shoot. What to do go to avoid this is go fully manual … was that a gasp I just heard.

Before the first horse approaches focus on the jump and then put you focus on manual. Now pick a mid range f stop so you will have sufficient depth of field in case the horse is a little ahead or behind the focus . This method is called zone focusing and has been used by sports photographers for years.

Now set you shutter. If you are in a building you will take a light meter reading before you shoot so just adjust set the shutter to give you the proper exposer. If need be adjust you ISO to keep you shutter in the area you are comfortable with. If you are out door shooting, not within and hour of sunrise/sunset, check you light meter reading between horses, believe me it won’t change that much from horse to horse. If the hour is close to sunset or sunrise you may want to use the camera set on aperture priority.

If you feel uncomfortable with these methods then for heaven’s sake I urge you to stick with zone focusing and set you camera to aperture priority to keep the depth of field. Using this method watch that you shutter is in a comfort zone and if it isn’t adjust the ISO of you sensor to bring it back.

[nkeevers]

Thanks Grant. I'm busy writing all these notes down cause I'm going to try all of them. I use manual too but just figured it was easier to have to not set both. I would think f8-11 would be appropriate. I'll be shooting outdoors and it's during the day probably from 11-4. Sounds easy; let's see if my camera cooperates.

[vawitt]

Hi, Norma. Try to stand just behind where the horses will land (but not in their way, of course...:D:D). If you can get the horse just coming UP over the jump it makes for a very strking picture. Better than shooting the back end as they jump away from you (which would happen if you stand on the front side of the jump).

Sounds like a fun outing! Looking forward to your "trip report" and photos!

~Val the former horse-girl in frigid iL