[Leica] Sailing Shots

[tedgrant at shaw.ca (Ted Grant)]

Subject: Re: [Leica] Sailing Shots
Barry Hinderks offered:
>>>> Why, Ted's stomping grounds (or really close by) beautiful Sidney
> -By-The-Sea on Vancouver Island. The day was quite cool, cloudy and
> blustery although they did have a pretty good turnout (about 25 crews).
> These were actually shot at the foot of Beacon Avenue (the main street in
> town) on the wharf.<<<

Barry,
The only time I like sailing is when I wear shorts, naked topside, in other 
words no t-shirt! ;-) The sun is shining at about 75-80 degrees or more!! 
:-)

Now that's sailing weather. :-) With a good breeze, gunnels a wash and she's 
healed over zinging along like a rabbit in heat! :-)

I always thought there was some kind of mental incapacity with Sidnittes 
when I've been up that way in the winter and there they are, out splashing 
about in boats while in freezing cold water when they should be on bob 
sleds! ;-)

 <http://gallery.leica-users.org/Sailing-Shots<<<

Looks like a tough day for white sails, bright blue sky and lots of action.

A couple of comments. If there's ever a chance to be on a boat, not those in 
the race, but a good solid power boat and excellent driver who knows the 
rules of racing etc. that's the only place to shoot this kind of thing from.

The other, which you might have been able to correct in this situation? 
Maybe? ...... I'd have been as close to water level as possible, like my 
feet almost in the water or in the water for the lowest possible angle given 
you were shooting from land.

>From this point you'd have lifted the boats higher visually and dropped the 
annoying background almost out of the frame. As I find the horizon the most 
disturbing part of each picture, even where you have good boat angles and 
action.

Not sure how long a lens you're using, but whatever unless its already a 
400mm or so, you need a longer lens. Or crop them tighter and get rid of 
everything other than the boats themselves.

And given this kind of overcast the tighter the cropping or boat size 
captured the use of longer lens, it would've made a major difference in the 
final quality of your pictures.

ted