One of those really strange shots that sit amongst 48 normal sports shots. I have just got back from photographing the Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon and found this one amongst the rest.
I was standing by a water stand and noticed the runners often doused themselves, I thought that would make a good shot. The background scenery was rather dull, so I decided to try and combine a panning shot (focusing and following a moving subject so streaking the background) with the added interest of water flying everywhere. I set my camera down to 1/30th (which turned out too slow actually, 1/60th would have been better) and began following each and every runner who went past. Eventually one doused himself as he got level with my position, and this was the resulting shot. I did not notice the VW Passat in the background at the time.
Ther weather was very overcast and misty too boot, good for colour but not for getting shutter speeds up (especially with my f/4.0 lens!) The only post processing I have done on this is to add the white frame and apply some unsharp mask, no cropping or other mods.
Paul, this is a great experiment with panning - looks like you had a fun day down there! The car really adds to the shot - more than VW, I'm sure this runner (who seems strangely familiar to me) would love a copy, if only he were trackable.
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