Shutterbugsailer Loc: Staten Island NY (AKA Cincinnati by the Sea)

For the first time since joining a local yacht club, I have been chosen as official photographer for the Wednesday evening races. They start around 6:15 PM and end as the sun sets. I will be on the race committee boat, a 40 foot power yacht anchored in place while the contestants pass me by at the start and finish of the course. The boats will be photographed at distances ranging from 25 feet to 1/2 mile from the committee yacht. Need some advice as to what cameras I should bring. I have a Canon SX50 bridge camera which I am inclined to use at the beginning of the race in brighter light. I am also considering taking along my Panasonic G5 micro 4/3 with a 14-140 lens and/or my Sony Alpha 6000 for which I have the 18-50 kit lens, 55-210 zoom, and 50mm prime. Any suggestions, Hoggers?

St3v3M Loc: 35,000 feet

Think Light, Distance and Stability

Light - "They start around 6:15 PM and end as the sun sets."
- I would test your camera's unders these conditions.

Distance - "The boats will be photographed at distances ranging from 25 feet to 1/2 mile from the committee yacht."
- Shoot a few samples and see how the look. Crop as needed.

Stability - "I will be on the race committee boat, a 40 foot power yacht anchored in place ..."
- Is Anchored stable or will you have to compensate for it.

I hope this help! S-

Meives Loc: FORT LAUDERDALE

[quote=St3v3M] If they start with the wind behind they may use their spinnakers. Best in front of the start boats. Best shot. David

boberic Loc: Quiet Corner, Connecticut. Ex long Islander

boberic Loc: Quiet Corner, Connecticut. Ex long Islander

Please excuse my stupidity. My reply appears directly in the middle of your post.

St3v3M Loc: 35,000 feet

You can Edit a post up to one hour of it's creation.

Ansel Rosewater

If you have any helpers, put them in a motorized dinghy and take some low level shots as the competing boats approach. A shot perpendicular to the travel of a sailboat on the lea side when it’s heeled-over, and the crew is “hanging out” can be memorable. A shot from a Boson’s chair is dramatic if the Race Committee boat has some height... especially for the finish.

Shutterbugsailer Loc: Staten Island NY (AKA Cincinnati by the Sea)

Thanks for the input, Hoggers. I don't think that the motorized dingy would go over too well with either the race committee or racers, as it might pose a safety hazard. Typically 10 to 15 boats enter these races, ranging in size from 25 to over 40 feet. I would sooner stand in the middle of the street photographing the running of the Bulls in Pamplona, Spain, than getting in the middle of the race while sitting in an inflatable dingy. The bosun's chair sounds nice, but won't be necessary. I can get shots from the aft deck about five feet above the water, from the bow at around eight feet, or on the bridge of the boat at around 12 feet. More than enough opportunity to get great views from different perspectives. As the the choice of cameras, I am inclined to use the Canon SX50 bridge camera at the beginning of the race, if the sun is still strong. The wide depth of field might actually be an advantage in keeping all boats in focus. I plan to use it in aperture priority mode with ISO set at 400. If the day is overcast, I will use my Panasonic G5 micro 4/3 with a 14-140 lens for better low light performance. For the end of the race, I will use my sony alpha 6000 for the best low light performance and fastest focusing. BTW, I am not bringing my one prime lens, a 50mm for Sony along, IMHO, the convenience of having at least some degree of zoom, outweighs the IQ advantages of fixed focal length lenses for this type of photography

hobie 33 Loc: Medford Oregon

I have photographed regattas for more than 15 years and discovered a few things....Some of my favorite shot were taken during the starting sequence when boats are maneuvering below the start line, close to the committee boat. During races I use a motorized boat that we use as one of the on the water safety boats. If you set up above the lay line at the windward mark, you will be clear of traffic, since no one wants to over-stand above the mark. Boats approaching are healed and crew is hiking hard for great moments. As they round lots of spinnaker action and backlighted chutes are magnificent. Don't forget to shoot candid images. Another thing to remember just because you have a long lens and you can fill your view finder, you will also have a lot of haze compressed into your images, so get as close as you can.

hobie 33 Loc: Medford Oregon

Here are a few shots from last wseason

hobie 33 Loc: Medford Oregon

The other shots are from behind but I do also shoot from above the lay line. Like these.

Bill Houghton Loc: New York area

First thing I would do is get my own boat. There will action going on at start line and at every tact on the up wind runs. As they come around the bouy for down wind run. Sitting a mile away just doesn't seem to do it for me. Good luck, Bill

Shutterbugsailer Loc: Staten Island NY (AKA Cincinnati by the Sea)

Love the shots, particularly of the top one which appears to be a Catalina 25. My first "gig" is tomorrow if the weather holds up. Here are a couple of shots I took of racing.

Skipper's last race before he passed away


Blurred and horizon is off, but nice justapostion of the two boats


Sailing to the finish on the windward leg. WIsh I could get that horizon on the level

hobie 33 Loc: Medford Oregon

Cool shots, makes me want to hike out on my desk and talk sailing all day.
Here is another cockpit shot from the rear quarter from the chase boat, that proves the size of the boat doesn't matter. it is all about getting out there and being in the moment. (and capturing it on camera)

Shutterbugsailer Loc: Staten Island NY (AKA Cincinnati by the Sea)