Night rall photography

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chris
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hi all i am new to the world of DSLR photograohy and have a keen intrest in rallying i recently took my camera and both lences out on a night event and got some good pics but was struggling a little i have a sony a200 with an 18-70mm lens and a 75-300mm lens i am thinking of getting a flash to light up the pics a bit more on the night events if you have any advice for me that would be great i found i was not lighting up the cars that well with the pop up flash and was getting alot of light streams from the headlight :|.......please help
 
Not sure on the etiquette of motorsport as I've never shot any but I don't think I'd like to be zapping a flash towards a driver of a fast moving car at night, sounds like a bit of a recipe for disaster I'm afraid. Maybe one of the motorsport togs will pop in and tell me how wrong I am though.

Tommy.
 
I'm no expert at rally photography but from what I have seen flash isn't a problem, theres usually a barrage of flashes as the cars go by.
 
yep, flash is fine.

One thing to try, if it's very very dark (midnight or later) which it commonly is on night rallies, try long exposure's on a tripod, easy way of capturing something different and will give a nice light trail if composed well!
 
thanks i think lol i have had a few good pics with good light trail but does anyone know if it would be a good thing to buy a add on flash rarther than using the built in pop up flash:)
 
Flash will freeze any action you take, I have seen a couple of regular road rally togs carry a 12 volt battery and an overhead work light to light the junction up. This then allowing you to take shots without flash and still having movement in the shots.

Flash isn't a problem to drivers as Charlie has said, if you use the idea above just make sure you aren't having it pointing down the road towards the cars.
 
also if your using a 75-300 im not 100% but you might find the pop up flash doesnt work as well simply due to the length of the lens
 
Leave the 75-300 at home you will never need it.

Find a nice tight junction with a bit of room for the guys to play.

Use a wide angle lens, pre focus and use the biggest flash you can beg steal or borrow to light the scene. You will be amazed how different it is using a flash outdoors at night.

I would recommend an old Vivitar 283 but I know there are trigger voltage issues with some newer cameras.

HTH

David
 
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