Beating The Drum

[Wandjina]

Some photos I took yesterday at the XV Australian Masters Games held here in Adelaide

[IzzieK]

Great action shots, Martin...

[Donald]

It's a pity that in the second one that lady at the stern seems as if she's smiling. If she'd had a fierce look of determination, it would have made for a superb shot of competitiveness. The first one is good in that it captures the energy and effort. And, again, the third one looks too relaxed, as if everyone's out for a nice gently row along the river.

[Wandjina]

It's a pity that in the second one that lady at the stern seems as if she's smiling. If she'd had a fierce look of determination, it would have made for a superb shot of competitiveness. The first one is good in that it captures the energy and effort. And, again, the third one looks to relaxed, as if everyone's out for a nice gently row along the river.

You are very astute, Donald. I couldn't find a vantage point to photograph the boats from the front while they were racing. So most of my photos were like the first one, taken more or less from the side. However at the end of each race the boats turned towards me as they headed back to shore to change crews, and hence the final two shots.

[Chrisclick]

Nice colourful action, Martin. Gotta love Dragon Boat races!

[Shadowman]

Nice compositions.

[John 2]

Nice series Martin. The second one for me.

[NorthernFocus]

Awesome set of images. Well done.

[Manfred M]

A nice set of images, Martin. I've been meaning to get out to the dragon boat races that are held in Ottawa every year, but somehow something has come up every time for the past three of four year. I'm hoping that 2016 might work out..

I think you have identified a few things I need to watch out for when I finally get out there. The event is very popular and getting a good photographic vantage point is going to be a bit challenging, I suspect.

[rpcrowe]

Nice selection of images. I have found that when shooting sports, selection of the vantage point (if at all possible) is very important, as indicated by the last two shots.

In the second shot, I like seeing all the paddles in a row but, wonder if there would be more impact to the image if you caught the paddles in the water with the paddlers beginning the stroke?

I am also wondering what a shot from a lower angle would look like...

I will often shoot images like this in high speed burst mode which gives me a selection from which to choose. Two seconds or so of burst would give me 8 images from which to select...

[Wandjina]

Nice selection of images. I have found that when shooting sports, selection of the vantage point (if at all possible) is very important, as indicated by the last two shots.

In the second shot, I like seeing all the paddles in a row but, wonder if there would be more impact to the image if you caught the paddles in the water with the paddlers beginning the stroke?

I am also wondering what a shot from a lower angle would look like...

I will often shoot images like this in high speed burst mode which gives me a selection from which to choose. Two seconds or so of burst would give me 8 images from which to select...

Thank you all for your comments.

There are a few things that I have learnt from this exercise:-
1. Dragon boats are very long, low beasts that really mess up your aspect ratio if photographed from side on.
2. Photos should show the explosive power of the paddlers, which is probably not realistic at a "Masters" Games.
3. I am with Richard. Taking the photo as low to the water as possible would add the maximum amount of drama/action to the shot.
4. The photo should probably be taken during the "heat" of the race, rather than afterwards.
5. Don't try and include too much in one photo.
6. Paddle splash is good!