Assignment 5: Applying the techniques of illustration and narrative

For this assignment I decided to shoot the Danta race festival in York, It was the opening  of the race season  for the York racecourse and thought it would be a suitable subject for a magazine shoot.

I had previously had a trial run through 10 days prior to this race meeting in order to prepare and research shooting this kind of subject. I believe that the preparation paid off and allowed me to produce some good images.

The weather on the race day was generally good with good light and no rain. I got to the race course early in order to search for the best vantage points to get my shots and find where the action hotspots of the race course were likley to be. The final images I have selected for me tell the story of the race day as you are limited to how much space you can have in a magazine I believe the shots I have chosen bring the atmosphere of the day to any potential reader.


Equipment
Camera: D300s
Lens:Sigma 70mmf/2.8
Lens:Nikon 55/300mm 4.5/5.6

Danta Festival York 2011

Image 1

Exp time = 1/640

F/Stop = F5.6

Focal length = 300mm

ISO =250

Race Day before the crowds start gathering

Image 2

Exp time = 1/3200

F/Stop = F5.6

Focal length = 58mm

ISO =640

Race goers start to enjoy the party atmosphere

Image 3

Exp time = 1/80

F/Stop = F6.3

Focal length = 116mm

ISO =250

Champagne flows on the champagne Lawn

Image 4

Exp time = 1/50

F/Stop = F5.6

Focal length = 300mm

ISO =250

Liquid Lunch

Image 5

Exp time = 1/400

F/Stop = F5.6

Focal length = 260mm

ISO =250

 

Studying the form

Image 6

Exp time = 1/500

F/Stop = F5.3

Focal length = 240mm

ISO =250

Picking a winner

Image 7

Exp time = 1/500

F/Stop = F5.6

Focal length = 240mm

ISO =640

Another loser

Image 8

Exp time = 1/80

F/Stop = F9.0

Focal length = 300mm

ISO =250

Owner & Jockey meet

Image 9

Exp time = 1/320

F/Stop = F5.6

Focal length = 300mm

ISO =400

Preparing for the race

Image 10

Exp time = 1/320

F/Stop = F5.6

Focal length = 300mm

ISO =400

And there off!

Image 11

Exp time = 1/80

F/Stop = F9.0

Focal length = 300mm

ISO =250

Image 12

Exp time = 1/60

F/Stop = F11

Focal length = 195mm

ISO =250

Image 13

Exp time = 1/500

F/Stop = F5.6

Focal length = 300mm

ISO =250

Image 14

Exp time = 1/500

F/Stop = F5.6

Focal length = 300mm

ISO =250

The winning Jockey is Frankie Datorri

Image 15

Exp time = 1/640

F/Stop = F5.6

Focal length = 300mm

ISO =250

Assignment 5 Practice

Trial run for assignment 5

For my final assignment I have decided to shoot a day at the races. To prepare for this I have decided to have a trial run at wetherby races for an evening meeting. This will allow me to practice technique's I will need for the shoot at York and also give me an idea of what to capture, settings/lenses/equipment needed for York.

One of the re-occurring things that I have learnt throughout this course so far is that preparation is the key. So by doing a trial run will give me the best opportunity to get the pictures I want/need first time.

Wetherby Races

I arrived early at the race course to give myself plenty of time to look around and find the best vantage points for all possible photos. Unfortunately the weather is the worst it has been for several weeks and I will have to take that into consideration.

Some good shots are to be had in and around the parade ring/winners enclosure with some clear unobstructed views. At the side of the race course there are large white safety barriers obscuring some of the views of the course.

I Position myself track side and fix my camera on the jump. The first batch of photos are OK to start with but need to change my technique.
For the second race I position my in the stand and use a 55-300mm lens to get close to the action.
The next sequence of shots I use a panning technique which produce some much better results.

The trip has proved valuable for gaining experience of where to be for the action shots what settings work best and what technique to adopt for various shots.