advice needed?

[powerskipper]

Now I am going to be chasing a whole load of sunsail yachts around the Solent for the next few days,
How best can I get close for photos and not annoy them to much.

Do I just plod alone beside of them and then zoom off, waving in a lordly manor,

pass close to the stern to let the wash push them along,


anyone got any ideas,

how i can be a courteous power boat among est all that lot,

and what things do I need to avoid /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[BarryH]

Your the instuctor.....you tell us!

 

[powerskipper]

I am looking for any advice from this worldly wise forum to expand my knowledge on this subject, and any instances where yachts have got annoyed at you so I do not repeat it /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

come on Barry, give a Little of that worldly advice of yours.

 

[tcm]

sailing for stinkies

saily types like nice piccies oof themselves same as us, so it wd be no prob to tellem that you will be hanging about and they shd come close for a decent pic.

The best pix have the best light, so you need to get yerself betwen the sun and the boat. For a saily boat, a powerboat going past the stern is not too bad, go you can pix with them looking that way (but again need the sun behind - no pix pointing camera south with cowes or IOW in the background are gonna be much kop) and from the stern they get the whole crew and name of boat too.

Dilemma: if you position yerself on windward side of their saily boat, its safer for them as they can also turn awat from you, downwind - but if they are racing you nick their wind so they won't want you there for long. They need clean bum for wideangle shots from windward side. But be careful bout (or avoid) being on leeward side with saiy boat leaning at you.

Best close-in saily boaty shots (showig the people onnem) are from stern or stern quarter.

 

[powerskipper]

Re: sailing for stinkies

Thanks Mat, that helps . /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[BarryH]

OK, don't get married don't have kids get rid of all your credit cards don't lend money to your friends don't buy expensive german cars the servicing is a rip off and so are the parts!
What else, oh yeah, don't buy a boat you'll be skint from day one it won't run properly and whaen you find out why the bits need you to refinance your house/wife/kids/car/boat. Last of all, you can fight the systemn but you'll never win!!

\i forgot to add. Never ever in a million years take on a government contract. The money may gold plated but by the time you finally get it its a bit tarnished

 

[powerskipper]

not having a good day then barry /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

 

[BarryH]

hmmm....and my typing is getting worse.....ho hum

 

[powerskipper]

It could be worse ,

you could loose your sense of humour /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Lozzer]

Is it a regatta?

If yes then best place to be is at the pin end of the start line as you will get the whole fleet as they cross the line..... Nice one for them all to remember.

Then go to the First mark which should be up wind. Be on the opposite side to the rounding so as not to get in the way. Usually get a few tangles here and some competitive stuff going on.

Then on the downwind leg get pics of people coming towards you with kite up.... perhaps slightly off to the windward side.... then you will get a good shot of the boat.

Then you will get some more fun and games as they gybe around the mark at the leeward end of the course, if it is windy you might catch the odd broach.

Then as they are fine reaching or close hauled again get upwind and take some side on shots with the crew dangling there legs...

Cruisers

If it is just people out having a nice sail what I would suggest is that you speak to them before they go out and say that if they want a photo then they should sail past you. Anchor up somewhereand let them come to you.

Also think about the boat you are on, most professionals photograph from ribs as they are lower in water.. Stability is key for good shots.

Good luck with it and I hope this has been useful.

 

[powerskipper]

thanks, sounds good advice,
How are things going down in the sunny bits.

 

[Lozzer]

Things are going fine, I have set up a yacht management and charter business. Found a bit of a niche in the market which generates cash...

The season is starting to pick up.

Not sure if I miss the big world of high ticket complex IT solution sales.

I got involved in brokering a deal for a berth in one of the marinas down here, I have to say I got very excited when we closed the deal.

It is amazing the cost of moorings here on the Costa del Sol.

In Banus berths on pier zero are exchanging at prices of around £1.2m for a 60 year leasehold. last year they were about £800k

Inflation gone mad me thinks..

Still not sure if it lures me back to the old days of $52,000,000 sales targets though.

Oh dear what am I saying, quick back to the boats..

 

[powerskipper]

LOL
/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Lakesailor]

Best shots are from the windward, sunny, side when they are on a close reach so the sails are tight on the centreline of the boat and the boat is heeling showing some antifoul. Best position is from the forward quarter to capture the bow wave.
Focus on the stem and use as fast a shutter speed as you can. If you understand Depth of Field you could use you're judgement and maybe get away with focussing on the mast, providing it's a nice and bright day. (smaller apperture gets more in focus, but means slower shutter speed so more chance of camera shake)
Avoid the temptation to use a longer focal length as this increases the problems. use a shorter lens and get close in (without upsetting them)

Photography is a trade-off of possibilities.

 

[powerskipper]

thanks,
/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif now I will have to read ALL of the book that came with my camera to find out the bits I am not sure about.
will try and post some on Sunday night when I am back. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Solitaire]

Get a nice long lens. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[ajt]

DO NOT GET TOO CLOSE! I have seen some of thier strange antics before. Play it safe and employ someone else to do it

 

[Lakesailor]

[ QUOTE ]
Get a nice long lens. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Nah. You get camera shake, and focus problems. Take my word for it.
Also, and you'll have to take my word on this, a long lens flattens the perspective which for a dynamic shot like a yacht is not desirable. A wider lens means that although (and because)you have to be closer in it gives a 'roundness' to the subject - a steep perspective. That's why food photographers shoot things like cooked turkeys on a wider lens, to make it look more plumpcious.
Think of the "Rio" video. Very wide lens