login
What could race photographers do better?
-
No new posts
|
 2009-09-21 1:59 PM |
Expert  1116   Thornton, CO |  Subject: What could race photographers do better?I'm starting to dabble in photography and was curious about people's thoughts on race photographers. We all know people hate the prices  but beyond that, what are some things photographers have done that you loved and what are some things they've done that you hated?Recently I did my first HIM and was shocked that there really wasn't any finish line pictures. The last photo location was "nearing the finish, about 500yards away). I finished MOP in ~5:40, but by the time I finished the photographer wasn't even at that location anymore. They had packed up and stopped taking photos by 1pm, which was 20 minutes before I finished. I understand that it was starting to drizzle around that time (later turning to some good rain), but it's not like the weather forecast didn't warn of rain days in advance. I know how expensive camera equipment is, but an umbrella or something to cover up with isn't nearly as expensive. Plus with the layout there were places they could have stayed out of the rain and still got finishing photos with a decent zoom. [end of rant, sorry] |
| 2009-09-21 2:01 PM in reply to: #2418126 |
Cycling Guru 15134  Fulton, MD | Subject: RE: What could race photographers do better? |
| 2009-09-21 2:04 PM in reply to: #2418126 |
| Alpharetta, Georgia | Subject: RE: What could race photographers do better? The race I did Saturday had a sign on the run course that said "Race number in FRONT - photographer ahead" I thought that was cool. |
| 2009-09-21 2:04 PM in reply to: #2418126 |
Pro 5169 Burbs | Subject: RE: What could race photographers do better? 1. higher quality photos, if ordered. I paid a lot of money for my marine corps marathon photos, and it looks like I printed them off of my computer. 2. more action shots - LESS TRANSITION PHOTOS ! I don't need photos of me awkwardly getting on my bike leaving T1  (or awkwardly coming off of it in T2). same goes for turns ... they don't make for good "action" shots.3. more "candid" type photos.... the race photog at savageman got some awesome photos of people before and after the race that weren't the usual s/b/r photos.. people talking in groups, staring out at the water, setting up bikes in transition, etc. 4. unique shots --- find a cool location, a cool angle, a different viewpoint... something that I couldn't take myself ! good luck ! |
| 2009-09-21 2:06 PM in reply to: #2418126 |
Extreme Veteran 417 Davidson | Subject: RE: What could race photographers do better? Their prices wouldn't bother me a bit if they made me look like a 25 year old stud. So far, looks like they are using the wrong lenses/filters or something in all of the pics they have posted of me. I didn't even recognize me in some of them, but I saw a couple of my Dad. Greg |
| 2009-09-21 2:08 PM in reply to: #2418126 |
Veteran 281 Richmond VA area | Subject: RE: What could race photographers do better? pictures while in the aero position. It seems like the photogs are always near a turn and not where they can catch you going aero. |
| 2009-09-21 2:09 PM in reply to: #2418126 |
Extreme Veteran 575 Concord, NH | Subject: RE: What could race photographers do better? Take pictures of me! I did the short course for an Xterra race and the only photo I could find was me in the background coming out of the water. No bike photo, no run photo. |
| 2009-09-21 2:22 PM in reply to: #2418126 |
Elite 3471 Evergreen, CO | Subject: RE: What could race photographers do better? I wish they would take cycle pics from the side or angle on a straightaway so I'm in aero, not at the sharp turns. The one race pic of me like this I bucked up $25 for fridge magnets -- one for me, one for mom. I may not do that often, but I def won't buy pics from straight on that make my arms look huge and I'm on the hoods. Why do they take running pics going up a hill -- makes me look slower and fatter since I'm leaning forward. And somehow they always make me look like I'm walking. Yeah, I like the warning that photographer is ahead so I can stop slouching and start smiling. Rather than 1 or 2 pics of each person running and biking, can't digital cameras take constant pictures so there are more to choose from? |
| 2009-09-21 3:10 PM in reply to: #2418126 |
New user 159 | Subject: RE: What could race photographers do better? Try to get the finish line photos when the athlete is a still stride or two in front of the finish line. Don't wait until after they cross, because by then they're decelerating, checking their watch and just all around looking goofy. |
| 2009-09-21 3:15 PM in reply to: #2418155 |
Veteran 152 | Subject: RE: What could race photographers do better? trinewby - 2009-09-21 3:06 PM Their prices wouldn't bother me a bit if they made me look like a 25 year old stud. So far, looks like they are using the wrong lenses/filters or something in all of the pics they have posted of me. I didn't even recognize me in some of them, but I saw a couple of my Dad. Greg What Greg said |
| 2009-09-21 3:19 PM in reply to: #2418126 |
Veteran 217 Alexandria, VA | Subject: RE: What could race photographers do better? Aero on bike for sure. Love the idea for signs so Ican make sure I'm not awkwardly riding with one hand while ripping a Gu open or adjusting my, um...bike shorts, on my only bike shot. Also, some companies are offering video clips of the finish where I guess they have a constant camera on it and rip 15 second clips for each racer crossing the line. That sounds cool. |
| 2009-09-21 3:20 PM in reply to: #2418126 |
Elite 3088 Austin, TX Gold member | Subject: RE: What could race photographers do better? Bike pics are the biggest shortcoming. While almost certainly necessary so they have time to get everyone, most of the time they set up just outside of transition, on a hill, or on a corner. I have a sweet tri bike, aero helmet, and position. I don't want a pic of me taking a corner on the bullhorns are coasting with my feet not even in my shoes. When they're not set up in one of those places, they're set up for a head on shot, which is almost as boring. |
| 2009-09-21 3:20 PM in reply to: #2418126 |
Elite 4048 Gilbert, Az. | Subject: RE: What could race photographers do better? zionvier - 2009-09-21 11:59 AM I'm starting to dabble in photography and was curious about people's thoughts on race photographers. We all know people hate the prices but beyond that, what are some things photographers have done that you loved and what are some things they've done that you hated?Recently I did my first HIM and was shocked that there really wasn't any finish line pictures. The last photo location was "nearing the finish, about 500yards away). I finished MOP in ~5:40, but by the time I finished the photographer wasn't even at that location anymore. They had packed up and stopped taking photos by 1pm, which was 20 minutes before I finished. I understand that it was starting to drizzle around that time (later turning to some good rain), but it's not like the weather forecast didn't warn of rain days in advance. I know how expensive camera equipment is, but an umbrella or something to cover up with isn't nearly as expensive. Plus with the layout there were places they could have stayed out of the rain and still got finishing photos with a decent zoom. [end of rant, sorry] Side view on bike. Also, stop charging $35-50 for the digital original. I'm not going to buy a coffee mug or other touristy type stuff with my pic on it, but I'd like some digital originals for web programming, etc. Zazoosh provided me a CD for $40 with something like 9 or 10 digital originals, so don't hand me any crap about how much $$$ it costs. What would you rather sell, 10 digital originals at $8 apiece or one at $40? John |
| 2009-09-21 3:21 PM in reply to: #2418126 |
Master 1356 | Subject: RE: What could race photographers do better? how about an option to buy a collage? I don't want three separate pictures, I want a single tri-photo of my tri!! |
| 2009-09-21 3:24 PM in reply to: #2418342 |
Expert 803 MD | Subject: RE: What could race photographers do better? X2 on the price of a digital copy. Outrageous at times from other photographers. |
| 2009-09-21 3:26 PM in reply to: #2418344 |
Champion 10021 , Minnesota Bronze member | Subject: RE: What could race photographers do better? Scout an area on the run with a slight downhill, so people are happy and really flying. Those are my favorite run shots. Uphill - NO, that's just wrong. The pictures coming out of the water, with my wetsuit half off, are always nasty. But I can't think of a better suggestion for the swim. Maybe while the swimmer is waist deep or so? I love the pre-race shots of friends chatting, standing by the water, etc. Even ask friends to pose for a shot. I'd rather buy one of me and my buddies, ready to race. |
| 2009-09-21 3:38 PM in reply to: #2418126 |
Elite 3315 Miami | Subject: RE: What could race photographers do better? side shots on bike. my avatar is the best shot from 11 triathlons i have done. only one that is somewhat side. |
| 2009-09-21 3:59 PM in reply to: #2418126 |
Master 1690 Metro NY Area | Subject: RE: What could race photographers do better? Being a photographer for a good portion of my life (though not a race photographer) I can tell you why they don't shoot from the side, they would have to use a very fast shutter speed and have a much lower chance of getting a good shot for various reasons. The reason they charge so much for digital is that they make the most money selling prints, packages, etc, once you have the image you won't buy that stuff from them. I have purchased a few photos from races, usually spending $30-$45, then I'll scan them. I would buy digital if it was about $50, not the $100 or more they want. |
| 2009-09-21 4:19 PM in reply to: #2418126 |
Member 220 Denver, CO | Subject: RE: What could race photographers do better? I like the suggestion of casual shots, maybe a wandering photog in transition pre-race. Get some shots of people getting set up, body-marking, etc. I completely agree with you about being shocked with no finish line photos at Harvest Moon. I'm a BOP-er and I didn't finish until over an hour and a half after they had packed it up. And even if they were still out there, what's the point of a photo 500 yds from the finish, that looks just like the photo on the way out, except that you look a lot worse for wear? I was really, really disappointed not to get an "official" shot of crossing the finish line, especially since my 3 year old ran across with me. |
| 2009-09-21 4:19 PM in reply to: #2418442 |
Sensei Sin City | Subject: RE: What could race photographers do better? Another vote for side view on the bike while in aero. |
| 2009-09-21 4:25 PM in reply to: #2418126 |
Expert 1092 St. Paul, MN | Subject: RE: What could race photographers do better? I like Lisa's thought of having signs when you're approaching a photographer. That way we can work that look of gloom and doom off our face! I agree with your rant. I hate it when they leave early. There's a race photographer in my area (St. Paul, MN) who sometimes only brings 1 or 2 photographers to the race. So they just jump around and they don't even come close to getting everyone. At the last race they did, they got both my wife and I coming out of the water, neither of us on the bike, and just her on the run. So I'd say make sure to stay out there (which it sounds like you'd do), and have enough people/cameras to get the different areas to make it "fair" to everyone. Good luck!! (I'm a photographer too, but I just teach photo - no race photo business for me!) |
| 2009-09-21 4:31 PM in reply to: #2418126 |
Master 1790 Tyler, TX | Subject: RE: What could race photographers do better? I see way too many pictures where it looks like I'm the only one on the course even though there are hundreds or thousands. My favorites are from an Austin triathlon where you can see lots of competitors and the capitol building in the background. Brian |
| 2009-09-21 5:30 PM in reply to: #2418126 |
Master 3127 Sunny Southern Cal | Subject: RE: What could race photographers do better? I enjoy receiving emailed links to my pictures where the included photograph is obviously someone not of my gender who happens to outweigh me by a hundred pounds. |
| 2009-09-21 5:53 PM in reply to: #2418126 |
Expert 1258 Marin County, California | Subject: RE: What could race photographers do better? Aero side shots..front shots in my aero helmet make me look like I'm wearing a space helmet(or a fish bowl) For god sake, do not take pics head on of folks just coming to the crest of a heavy climb...its mean! A warning sign would be nice so I could look alive rather than dead. |
| 2009-09-21 6:32 PM in reply to: #2418664 |
Cycling Guru 15134 Fulton, MD | Subject: RE: What could race photographers do better? This is by far the best bike shot that has ever been taken of me in a tri. '07 Chessieman. It is not that hard to do with current camera technology. (Chessieman 2.jpg) Attachments ---------------- Chessieman 2.jpg (82KB - 0 downloads) |
|
|
|
|
View profile
Add to friends
Go to training log
Go to race log
Send a message
View album
CONNECT WITH FACEBOOK