night time action photography: I am new to this site and I would love suggestions on how to improve on my taking night time action photos. I love to take team roping pictures and...

south2westgirl Loc: Yuma, AZ

I am new to this site and I would love suggestions on how to improve on my taking night time action photos. I love to take team roping pictures and ladies barrel racing. I have no trouble in the day time,just night action shots. I have a Canon 70D
thank you

twowindsbear

Here are a few WAGs for you to consider:

Shoot at the venue with the BEST lighting.

Experiment during the daylight to see what the slowest shutter speed will give you acceptable results.

Experiment at night to see what the highest ISO value will still give you acceptable results.

Get a FASTER lens!

Get a camera with the best low-light capabilities.

In general, a properly exposed, high ISO photo will 'look better' than a grossly under exposed low ISO photo.

Learn to pan & follow the action for less-blurry subjects & more blurry backgrounds.

Learn to like noise - consider it 'grain' like in older B&W images.

Shoot a LOT of pix, cull for the perfect pic.

Post some of your results.

Good luck!

f8lee Loc: New Mexico

Well, you have hit on the issue of understanding what amounts to proper exposure...getting a properly exposed image requires the appropriate combination of subject lighting, sensor sensitivity, how long the shutter is open and how much light gets through the lens.

Alas, nighttime shooting with ambient light is quite the challenge, as you need a fast enough shutter speed to freeze motion, AND a sensor that can be set to a high enough ISO, AND a lens that lets in enough light...so this might entail you getting a faster lens (maybe renting is an option) or perhaps a camera that performs better at high ISOs (I'm not familiar with the Canon gear - no doubt others will chime in on that).

If the venue allows flash, that could be an option as well - depending on how far away from the subjects you are.

Without more details, it's difficult to offer more specific thoughts. Perhaps you could upload a photo taken at night so we can see what you are achieving today.

kb6kgx Loc: Simi Valley, CA

And… get a flash with the highest guide number you can find. This is why I still hold on to my trusty Sunpak 555 (GN 150 at ASA/ISO 100).

south2westgirl Loc: Yuma, AZ

thank you

marki3rd Loc: Columbus, Indiana

kb6kgx wrote:

And… get a flash with the highest guide number you can find. This is why I still hold on to my trusty Sunpak 555 (GN 150 at ASA/ISO 100).

You and another have suggested flash as a solution. I have no knowledge of this venue, but I would think firing a flash could have a temporary detrimental effect on the horses and riders vision. I would not be surprised if it was disallowed.

kb6kgx Loc: Simi Valley, CA

marki3rd wrote:

You and another have suggested flash as a solution. I have no knowledge of this venue, but I would think firing a flash could have a temporary detrimental effect on the horses and riders vision. I would not be surprised if it was disallowed.

I should have clarified my answer. For me, I was referring to “night action shots” taken OUTSIDE or OUTDOORS, not inside of a venue such as at a rodeo or similar event. Yes, flash very well CAN have a negative effect on the animals and on the participants in the event. So it is understandable that they may not want flash used in these cases. If so, you’re only two options are 1) faster lens and/or upping the ISO to an acceptable level.

Even at concerts (which is what I like to do whenever I can), most venues don’t allow the use of flash, even though the band/artist may not have any objection.

PaulR01 Loc: West Texas

Its as much about the lens as the body. You need a fast lest F 2.8 minimum to shoot in low light. And your 70D is a fabulous camera its, max ISO is only 25,600. You are going to struggle even with a fast lens. Suggest you look into some off camera speedlights that will high speed sync. This will lower your ISO considerably.

south2westgirl Loc: Yuma, AZ

I have never heard anyone complain But I personally have not Wanted to use my Flash because of that reason. I sit up in the back of my truck and am pretty close to the action and I never wanted to scare any horse thank you for your response. great minds?🤔🤗

cpeter234 Loc: WA state Lost in South Boston, VA

marki3rd wrote:

You and another have suggested flash as a solution. I have no knowledge of this venue, but I would think firing a flash could have a temporary detrimental effect on the horses and riders vision. I would not be surprised if it was disallowed.

I was just going to say the same.

PaulR01 Loc: West Texas

Very few of your shots will ever be head on or the flash strong enough to effect the animal. I shoot rodeos and barrel racing events all spring and summer. Not once have I ever had a complaint using flash. Now If I set up my 600 watt strobes that I use in basketball at ground level you might have a case. Your not stopping the action with high speed sync just trying to reduce the ISO 4 or 5 stops. You shutter is still your primary action stopper. Might I suggest checking out a Action Sports Group. This site isn't well suited for this discussion.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/SportsActionPhotography/

jethro779 Loc: Tucson, AZ

marki3rd wrote:

You and another have suggested flash as a solution. I have no knowledge of this venue, but I would think firing a flash could have a temporary detrimental effect on the horses and riders vision. I would not be surprised if it was disallowed.

It is disallowed.

ronz Loc: Florida

Until a year ago, I shot for the Quarter Horse Assoc and the Paints. Much of their patterns and jumping was in a covered ring. Even during the day I used fill flash and the promoters had no problem with that. I had only one competitor in three years ask me not to shoot him as it was the first time he had the horse in the arena and wasn't sure how he would act. When you sell the photos, the people want your best. On two occasions, I shot at an outside arena and didn't need flash. I have shot all over the state at many arenas and had no problems with flash. The were mounted on supporting posts. When I quit a couple years ago (due to the long hours), the photographer who took over also used flash. I was a rider many years ago and very few things bothered my horses during competition. I was offered the job to shoot the Palm Beach Intl but couldn't round up enough photographers to spend all that time at the show without a large guarantee. They also had no problem with flash.

Bultaco Loc: Aiken, SC

kb6kgx wrote:

And… get a flash with the highest guide number you can find. This is why I still hold on to my trusty Sunpak 555 (GN 150 at ASA/ISO 100).

A flash can distract horses, I hope they are not allowed.

cthahn

You need a fast lens, f1.2, not a slow zoom which you are probably using.