Rowing

[jonz]

Any suggestions for settings for photographing rowing with R7 and RF 100-400?
I'll be on the river bank, photographing rowing eights. At the closest point, the boats will be about 30 yards from me.

 

[Terrible Terrestial]

Nobody answered this, and probably that event already happened but in case you still need the advice... first, you have the right camera and the right lens for the job. A few tips:

• If you have, get the CPL filter with you too. This will help eliminate unwanted reflections on water at the cost of an f-stop or two
• You don't need extreme shutter speeds, from 30 yards 1/500 will freeze rowers. If they are fast and close, pan
• Composition-wise, try positioning yourself so that you get a few "killer" shots, e.g. a boat perfectly parallel with the horizon with boat at 1/3 height of image, horizon at 2/3. Or if you can get on a bridge, then boat straight from north to south of the frame, cutting it in half
• Again composition-wise, if possible stand on the bank that will give you boats going from left to right on your frame -- this direction is more natural to view and suggests "going somewhere" rather than "coming back". Especially in western culture.
• Find a stationary object on water (buoy or beacon) and try to get a few long shutter speed shots (e.g. 1/30) to highlight the speed of boats
• To highlight rowers themselves, zoom close and fast speed again (1/500), and no need to fit the entire boat of 8 -- detailed shots where individuals are subjects rather than entire boats
• Find something amusing to contrast with the serious competitive spirit! (see below

Good luck. Or if that has already happened, share the results!

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