articles/Sports/damian-top-tips-page3

Rolling with the BIG Dog - Damians top tips - part 3 of 1 2 3 4

by Damian McGillicuddy Published 01/08/2014

Do your research - it's key critical. Study the sport, gain as much general information about it as possible.

Check the track or course out, if at all possible. If you can 'walk the course' before the event, do so. Look for angles and elements that will help make interesting images.

Try to choose an area that gives a you that chance to move a little, so you can change views, backgrounds and angles of your shots to increase variety. Remember once in situ on certain courses or events you are there for the duration.

Adding to the previous tip, bring something to eat and certainly something to drink, as I've said, you may be there for hours.

Watch the pace/test vehicles very carefully. Lots of events send them out round the course to check all is safe before they let the competitors out to race. Invariably the driver will know the routes very well and you will be able to see the line he takes round bends and over dips, etc. This will give you a good idea what part of the road or track the racers will cover.

Often you will see rubber marks on the race surface, this is another indicator of where the vehicles will travel.

This is a dangerous game so I always shoot with my motor sport buddy, and Olympus ambassador, Dave Silvester, as an ex rider his knowledge and insight is often invaluable. Also from a safely point two pairs of eyes are far superior to just one.

Wear comfortable, warm and waterproof clothing. If you're going to explore some cool angles you may find yourself prone, if the area is safe enough to do so. If not, the swing-out screen on the OM-D range is invaluable in letting you shoot low down without compromising your safety.

Always look for a fast exit escape route, just in case. Speak to the sector martial, their knowledge, guidance and assistance is invaluable - oh and their word IS final, don't argue; obey or you won't be welcomed back!

Do not 'machine gun' your shots, even thought my EM-1 is capable of 10 frames per second I try to steer clear of this. In my experience the best motorsport photographers are very selective in what they shoot.

No multi-frame per second sprees, but short considered bursts. Like every photographic discipline, knowledge and technique will always trump technology. The legendary press photographer David Simm would attempt cup finals at Wembley back in the day with a 5"x4" press camera and have just four to six shots for the whole event!

Think carefully about camera equipment; you want the right tools and the right amount of versatility with the equipment you carry.

However, remember you need to move and you have to get it there, so don't burden yourself unnecessarily. This is where the 4/3M system comes in to its own ...pound for pound you just get more bang for your buck. More often than not you can get closer to the action than you can imagine.

• Rolling with the BIG Dog - Damians top tips page 1
  
• Rolling with the BIG Dog - Damians top tips page 2
  
• Rolling with the BIG Dog - Damians top tips page 3
  
• Rolling with the BIG Dog - Damians top tips page 4
  

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