Scott, off to a flying start
I'd checked with Carol about where her and Lionel would be standing to snap the runners as they went by.
Tunnel/bridge for my first choice and then …?
Okay, I need to find a second spot where I can park myself and not have too far to run to the finish.
An early departure from home, ensured that I'd manage to find a parking spot, the number of runners seemed to be growing by the minute. Spaces near the Waggon and Horses would be at a premium.
Parked up and got ready for another morning's snapping session. A natter with Bryan and Adrian re running a PB or taking your time this morning, then a steady walk towards the tunnel on the TPT. Hadn't recced this area as a possibility but I thought there might be a chance of the odd decent image or two. Nah, changed my mind. Walked down the road to where a footpath leads to the first river crossing in the Trunce race. A slight rise in the road and the curve leading back up the hill might just create a good composition. Luckily for me, a car that was parked by the gate at the bottom, moved off up the hill … just around the same time as the runners were descending. If only they'd been a bit earlier. The car, not the runners.
Settings: 85mm prime lens Shutter 1/1000th sec - aperture f5 - ISO 1100
With Scott setting a cracking pace at the front, I needed to leave after five minutes or so. I might have missed a few people at the rear of the field, apologies to those runners.
Time to head to my second snapping point. Across the stream using the stepping stones, then up to the track by way of the junior Trunce course. It's a heck of lot further than you think. Breathing heavily, I eventually managed to hit the road, quick hello to Carol and Olivia before heading off for the track by Hunshelf Rd.
Didn't think I'd make it before Scott arrived … I even had time to thrown down a few read and black wine gums. Nice one. Checked the floor for dog muck, didn't want to get caught out again. Looked across the fields in search of the leaders making their way on the footpath to the lane. Not a soul in sight, apart from a marshal or two.
Why this spot? Especially as it was the scene of yet another hill for the runners to contend with.
As you can see, there is no sign of the sky anywhere in the frame. This helps me to achieve a much better image in relation to exposure, as well as the exclusion of a thin band of sky at the top. I hate that, drives me mad. The sun was behind me and created a much more even light on the runners. Nice one.
The curve of the wall, the road in the distance and the runners spaced out on the track, all add to create an interesting composition. Hopefully.
As time went by, leg lift was become less and less. Runners mumbling under their breath about yet another "bl**dy hill". And whose idea was it to put them through the pain barrier of Pea Royd Lane and then THIS?
Time to go.
RUN CHRISTMAS STUFFED OAP... RUN!
But where? Down the track again? "Hi Carol! Bye Carol!" Tried a few track snaps but the light was too strong behind the runners and the composition was crap.
With camera in hand and trail shoes on, I ran as fast as I could to one of my usual haunts for the Trunce race.
Wished I'd stayed here longer, but the images didn't look up to much on the screen. Ran down to the finish to capture people as they crossed the line. Pleased with a few of the resulting snaps, though the sun behind the runners didn't help exposure wise. Finished up standing on tip-toes to exclude the sky whenever I could.
Jazz hands and happy to finish the course
That's the last race of 2019 and yet another year of snapping runners to look forward to.
Massive thanks to all the people who have donated money to enable me to buy gear. I do try my best to produce images that are of a decent quality and hopefdully help you to hang onto those race memories.
Without being "big-headed", the photographs aren't bad at all.
They are free, but any donation will be gratefully received. See you soon.
Comments