Question about shooting boats

Tmosley · April 28, 2006

Today i am shooting the Newport to Ensanada Yacht race, from a 52' Navigator, i have a 5D with 24-70 and a 20D with 70-200 IS, is there something i need to really be aware of that i may not be thinking abot,
its a little overcast here today, which i hope stays,
but is there any advice you guys could offer

thanks
Troy

Shay Stephens · April 28, 2006

You need to account not only for regular camera shake, but boat movement (the one your on) so use a faster than normal shutter speed.

Tmosley wrote:

Today i am shooting the Newport to Ensanada Yacht race, from a 52' Navigator, i have a 5D with 24-70 and a 20D with 70-200 IS, is there something i need to really be aware of that i may not be thinking abot,
its a little overcast here today, which i hope stays,
but is there any advice you guys could offer

thanks
Troy

Art Scott · April 28, 2006

a rain cover for both cameras...for water spray.....If you don't have them, then use a very large baggie (at least a gal size) cut hole in one corner for lens to extrude thru and use a rubber band to attach to lens.....cheapest rain coat for a camera I have found and always a good idea to keep camera dry.

Tmosley · April 28, 2006

i will definetly use the fastest shutter speed available,
does the shutter speed affect the IS in terms of helping the IS do its job if im using a fast shutter speed, will there be less chance of camera shake,

pathfinder · April 28, 2006

Shooting from an ocean going sailboat is one area where I might consider using a UV filter to keep salt spray from drying on the front of my lens.

As well as a ZIplock baggy as a rain coat for the body as mentioned.

StevenV · April 28, 2006

and of course...

one hand for yourself (and the camera), one hand for the boat. you don't want the camera to go overboard, with or without you.

Seefutlung · April 28, 2006

Tmosley wrote:

i will definetly use the fastest shutter speed available,
does the shutter speed affect the IS in terms of helping the IS do its job if im using a fast shutter speed, will there be less chance of camera shake,

IS is only useful for camera shake when taking a photo under slow shutter. If your shutter speed is fat enough to stop sail boat action ... then it should be equal to the task of stopping hand shake. (In essense, if your shutter speed is fast enough to stop action on the lens end ... then the shutter speed is fast enough to stop action on the camera end). Which is why IS is useless for sports in general.

Using IS and a fast shutter speed is a waste of batteries and time (as IS takes a while to stabilize and write).

Remember to crank up the ISO for a faster shutter speed if need be.

Remember to take extra batteries as it's hard to find an open shop on the high seas.

Take a sun hat with a strap ...

Tmosley · April 28, 2006

Im back from the shoot, it was great, lots of boats and great shots, i will post some when i get home from work and check them out.

Tmosley · May 5, 2006

i posted the shots http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=33486 here

Art Scott · May 5, 2006

Nice shoots....#2 would have been much more powerful as a landscape orientation....JMHO...

Manfr3d · May 12, 2006

I like the pictures you made.

I just wanted to throw in a few more ideas on photographing sailing boats:

Play with backlight to get some impressive colors from those huge sails
Try to shoot from a high angle (if at all possible), to eliminate background clutter and to create more depth
Go out when its wavy and windy, you'll get some great action shots.
Take some pills against seasickness before you go eyeballing through your lenses

I will be going to Valencia this year, and hope to be able to photograph
when them Americas Cup racers are out practiceing.

Question about shooting boats

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