bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

Anyone here have some good samples of photos taken at a marathon? I'm a wedding guy, and not a sports photographer at all.

They want photos of the pre-race, race, and finish. I did a 5K years ago, and although they seemed happy, I thought they were pretty boring.

Just looking for some ideas for interesting shots that will make this look "better, or different" Who knows, maybe all marathon photos do look alike, but I'm hoping to do a good job, as a friend of mine is organizing the marathon to raise money for charity.

This is a full marathon, so I will have a LOT of time between the start and finish. Even just the 5K took a LONG time from pre-race to finish, this will be a LONG day. Thankfully they are paying me "wedding rates" so at least I'm going to be paid for the time.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Hey Bkyser - are you shooting as part of a service (a company with a contract for the race such as MarathonFoto) or helping a friend or something similar? I've run more than 80 marathons and I've been the official photographer for an annual charity race here in Chicago. Here's a few thoughts and examples.

1. If you're on the course, pick an interesting landmark and / or background. Or, a clean uncluttered background.
2. Bring a chair / something comfortable to sit on. Use a monopod if appropriate.
3. Pick a long straight away so the runners can arrange themselves as they approach your position and so that you can maintain focus.
4. Capture them as close as possible to your position so they fill the frame. Leave the faraway full body shots to the other photographers ... Tape a spot directly in front of you as the target distance for your capture (or chalk).
5. Just like you capture the flower arrangements and 'environmentals' at a wedding, get the start- / finish-line, medals, crowd shots, used drink cups, sunrise, discarded closes, etc.
6. If you can use 'credentials' to get someplace just beyond the start line, get the runners as they start into the course crossing the start-line.
7. If shooting the finish line, get a position you capture the clock in the frame, if possible, as the runner crosses the line.

Here's a few links from our race earlier this year showing examples. The images are "links" can you can "click" one and launch the image within Flickr. There's an album with the images in Flickr where if you scroll runner after runner after groups of runners ... you might begin to think they're all the same ...

http://c1.staticflickr.com/2/1717/25354795416_f98a89a25f_b.jpg
http://c7.staticflickr.com/2/1712/25354793086_ff3810c37b_b.jpg
http://c8.staticflickr.com/2/1658/25013364879_84a498a223_b.jpg
http://c1.staticflickr.com/2/1646/25354821536_c4400801e4_b.jpg
http://c3.staticflickr.com/2/1720/24750354674_be9bef3e1d_b.jpg
http://c7.staticflickr.com/2/1701/25262719222_e2358fc416_b.jpg
http://c7.staticflickr.com/2/1575/25262717902_cc7400f8ae_b.jpg

bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

Thanks! That's exactly what I had hoped to see, and thanks for comparing it to weddings. (of which I'm VERY familiar)
What I'm doing is working for the sponsor, but they are going to allow me to sell prints to anyone who wants them. He claims that a lot of runners, especially first timers want them. I'm not holding my breath. The only upside is that I have a DNP event printer, so I can print on the spot while emotions are high.

I appreciate the quick answer, and great examples. It's been a while since I've shot a 5K. From my understanding, I can be waiting about 5 hours or more for people to finish (not the elite runners, but the "waddlers, like me".)

Bob

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Bob - for the event pictured above, the 70-200 f/4L was used for the runners on the course. I also had a 50L and 24-105L, but probably could have used any lens that covered 24 to 70ish or even just a 50. Have fun.

/paul

bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

Thanks. I had figured the 24-70. The event is in a few weeks, and just in case there is rain, I need to use something that fits in the camera rain cover. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004GTIYVS/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Got caught a few times with outdoor weddings, so I always have it with me, just in case.

Thankfully, since I'm being hired by the sponsor, I can go wherever I need to get the shot. I just know that doing the 5K, all my finish line photos looked the same. I guess I need to swallow my pride and understand that there isn't a great way to get super creative when it is people running past a timer.

I appreciate all the feedback. It helps
Bob

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

I'm with you, Bob, on uniqueness. Here's where a close-crop and a clean background (or local landmark) are differentiated. The 'too far away' photos are what I see too much of in race photos .... Head-up / eyes-forward are also important. At the finish line this can be a challenge as the earlier finishers will look at their wrist to stop their watch as they cross the line. So, you need to capture a step or two before they cross and drop their head. This thinking is also in my earlier comment about finding a straight away on the course and making yourself visible. The experienced runner that is a potential photo customer will try to get some space between themselves and others on the course so they give you a clear shot as they pass your position.

HillbillyHiker Loc: Cookeville, TN

I shoot a lot of foot race pictures. Check out the link below. I have used an 80-200 on a D 810 and a 14mm for some interesting close-ups. Recently, I have used a flash to separate the runners from the background. I shoot for the runners not the run so you will see that most of pictures are of the run. If you can find a location where you will have a separation in the runners with a slight downhill. This is where their form is best. Try to avoid bright sun. Let them run into shadows. If you can get a good meter reading it would be best to shoot manual. Back button focus also helps.
I'll shut up for now and let you check out the different footraces on this link.

https://montes-capture-the-moment.smugmug.com/

bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

I'm at work, so I can't check the smugmug link, but I'll check it out tonight.
Thanks.

I just wish I new more about this race. It's the second annual marathon for this particular group/location. I did run in a few 5 and 10k races a few years ago until health got in the way (cancer, and back surgery all within a year of each other)

Now, I'm just glad that they considered me to shoot the event. I'll run into a few people that I used to run with.

Thanks for the link, I'll check it out, and will get some ideas from them.
Bob

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

You could lay out a blanket of banana peels, position yourself strategically and then just eait for the action!!! LoL

If it's hot out, you could position by a mid water stop and get shots of them grabbing water and having them pour water over their heads.
If there's a rise more than say 10 feet, get in front old it and get a throng coming over it. If there is a turn-around that could be good. Maybe there's a band playing somewhere, juxtapose the band and runners. If there's a sharp turn, get them into the turn.
Or just wait till they start playing, " here comes the bride....., oops, sorry, all this time I thought you said wedding!!!
SS

bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

LOL, funny. There are some good suggestions in there too.
Thanks