Marathon Day

[Stagecoach]

After a week of preparation, reading and planning I got my chance today to shoot my first ever race, the first marathon in Suva for seventeen years.

On site at 5:15am and with the start of the 44Km at 5:45am I finally put the camera away at 11am. There's now 380 images loaded on-line for the participants, these few selected below to share and I'm over the moon

The new Tamron 70-300mm f/4.0-5.6 did well, AF was certainly fast enough to deal with runners coming towards you and whilst there's a few images that are not tack sharp I think you can get away with that on this type of image.

The below are all from the Jpegs except No 7 which was one of the few RAW I shot. No PP other than dust spot removal and sharpening.

Enjoy........................

No 1 - 1/640s, f/5.6, ISO560, 250mm


No 2 - 1/640s, f/5.6, ISO280, 300mm


No 3 - 1/640s, f/5.0, ISO800, 260mm


No 4 - 1/1000s, f/4.8, ISO500, 210mm


No 5 - 1/1000s, f/5.6, ISO800, 300mm


No 6 - 1/800s, f/5.6, ISO360, 300mm


No 7 - 1/1000s, f/4.5, ISO450, 135mm


No 8 - 1/640s, f/4.5, ISO200, 170mm


Grahame

[Shadowman]

Interesting captures, I tend to go for full body shots at least for 70% of my marathon shots, about 20% closeups, and the remainder group and location captures.

[Stagecoach]

Interesting captures, I tend to go for full body shots at least for 70% of my marathon shots, about 20% closeups, and the remainder group and location captures.

I have a good selection of full body shots as well John, but there's something about the close ups that appeal to me as they exaggerate the fun and pain.

[KimC]

They came out nice Grahame! Love 4, 7,8!

[Donald]

For someone shooting their first ever race like this, these are very impressive. Well done, Grahame.

[Brownbear]

Hi Grahame,

Nice set... Just to say my favourites are #2 for the intensity of the moment and the background, and #7 for the beauty of the rain (just something special about all those raindrops falling)

[pnodrog]

I have a good selection of full body shots as well John, but there's something about the close ups that appeal to me as they exaggerate the fun and pain.

Yes Grahame I am enjoying looking at the expressions on their faces. Even the odd smile or glance for the photographer.

[FootLoose]

Yes, I agree. If they are ripped athletes, it would be interesting to see the strain in their muscles, but I prefer to see the facial expressions. I like #4 because the colour of his face suggests he is struggling and the smile shows self-awareness.

[Stagecoach]

They came out nice Grahame! Love 4, 7,8!

Thanks Kim, I have not yet decided my favourite from the entire shoot but am suspecting I'll end up with 30 in joint 1st place to make it easier for me

[Stagecoach]

For someone shooting their first ever race like this, these are very impressive. Well done, Grahame.

Thank you Donald,

[Stagecoach]

Hi Grahame,

Nice set... Just to say my favourites are #2 for the intensity of the moment and the background, and #7 for the beauty of the rain (just something special about all those raindrops falling)

Hi Christina,

For No 7 I was sheltering under a tree from a heavy shower trying to keep the camera dry under my tee-shirt, saw her coming all alone looking dejected and could not resist trying.

A while ago I had a go at capturing rain with speeds and flash as I had read on the web with little success so can only assume it was a combination of natural light angle to me, fast speed and luck that got this.

Grahame

[Stagecoach]

Paul and Greg

I will put a set together of 'facial expressions' and 'photographer recognition' shots and add to this thread.

[Brownbear]

Thank you for sharing. I will have to try some rainy day scenes this year.

I forgot to say that the expression on the man's face in #4 is priceless, still I love the rainy day woman shot.

Hi Christina,

For No 7 I was sheltering under a tree from a heavy shower trying to keep the camera dry under my tee-shirt, saw her coming all alone looking dejected and could not resist trying.

A while ago I had a go at capturing rain with speeds and flash as I had read on the web with little success so can only assume it was a combination of natural light angle to me, fast speed and luck that got this.

Grahame

[IzzieK]

Hi Grahame...no one mentioned the expression of $6 guy...his look is priceless too...apart from all the others. The last one -- the one on the wheelchair, now that is a real challenge for him and he seems to be enjoying it. Good for him. And thank you for sharing they are all nice images from a first timer in a race like this...Briliant job!

[deetheturk]

Hi Grahame, wonderful series even more so as it was your first go at this sort of event well done mate!

Cheers David

[Stagecoach]

Hi Grahame...no one mentioned the expression of $6 guy...his look is priceless too...apart from all the others. The last one -- the one on the wheelchair, now that is a real challenge for him and he seems to be enjoying it. Good for him. And thank you for sharing they are all nice images from a first timer in a race like this...Briliant job!

Hi Izzie,

I'm trying to work out which one is the $6 guy

The guy in the wheelchair also used a trike with hand pedals, I have some shots with this as well and I hear that these distances are nothing unusual for him to do.

Grahame

[Stagecoach]

Hi Grahame, wonderful series even more so as it was your first go at this sort of event well done mate!

Cheers David

Thank you David, I wonder if I can use the experience gained to shoot moving bugs better

Cheers, Grahame

[pnodrog]

Hi Izzie,

I'm trying to work out which one is the $6 guy


Grahame

No 6 = #6 = typo $6?

[John 2]

Very nice series Graham and great quality from the Tamron. 4 and 7 for me if I need to choose even though 7 is too much of a reminder of the reluctant miseries of school cross country running.

[vaez]

hi graham terrific image i enioyed