Advice on shooting at the Velodrome please

Patrick1964

Patrick1964

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Patrick
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We're off to the Velodrome in Manchester next weekend, and I'd like to try and get some decent shots. I don't have any particularly fast lenses ( I suspect I'll use my 55 - 200VR or 18 - 135) but if we're able to get front row seats I thought I'd take a monopod and crank up the iso on my D300 - can anyone offer any advice here ?

Thanks
 
erm you'll probably want a shutter speed of 1/200th or less to blur the background and wheels. Aperture i would think f/5.6 to f/4 but this is a guess

Hope that helps
 
I'd take a tripod if poss, and a remote and try to get some slower shutter speeds to capture the movement. Perhaps try some (handheld) panning too?
 
doubt they'll let you in with a tripod, Health and safety and all that.........
 
I quite fancy photographing in there... Anyone actually been.. official or public?
 
I've been to the Velo, tbh it's a nightmare to shoot.

You're not allowed into the infield unless you're with a team or have some other specific function, so it confines all you're shots to the outside of the track.

If you have a long enough lens you can get the entry to the bend and the exit from the bend, these are pretty steeply banked and can be a challenge for the most experienced rider to complete cleanly. The infield has a nasty blue track around it and a railing that clutters you're shot too.

Lighting.......hmm, thats another wee issue, the spot lights are angled towards the outside of the track from above the infield, during practice they tend to have them quite low but then crank them up for the races.

tripods just get in the way, I think a monopod would be better tbh.

Interestingly you're allowed to use flash, but I'm not sure you'd be liked too much if you blinded a rider :eek:

Oh......and one more we note, if Team GB are riding.....you can't photograph them....same for minors!
 
cheers digitalfailure .. so no restriction in crowd on lens/camera ect?
 
No, tbh they actually encourage photography as long as it's within their rules :)

Snipped from manchestervelodrome.com's FAQs

Can I take photographs or images of activities at the Velodrome?
If you are a hobby photographer, you may be able to take photographs of some sessions. Whether hobby or professional, you cannot take images of children (under 18), vulnerable adults or Team GB. If you are a professional, there will be a charge applied. All photographers need to complete a filming or photography request form in reception. Any activities filmed need permission from all the participants.



I believe it is "possible" to blag your way onto the infield to shoot if you're gifted. There's a competitor entrance that allows entry to the infield, ASAIK there is no way to get to it from the public entrance.


iirc prices range from a fiver to about 12 quid for normal events etc with championships being higher.
 
eer i had been on the site.. also went to sub sites for events.. didnt see that... cheers :) I think i would want infield to be honest.. but to pay ? hmmm
 
The infield is usually pretty busy with bikes and officials constantly on the move.

Give the old golden patter a go and see what you can come up with ;)
 
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