Photo finishes
Yesterday there were some great photo finish pictures. I am always amazed how clear they are when you think how fast the horses are travelling when the photo is taken. At the finish post there is what looks like a post but no great big camera either side...so how are the pictures taken? Is there a slim camera in the post or another on the other side, but there are always two different shots aswell?
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CaerMyrddin
- Posts: 1271
- Joined: Mon Sep 07, 2009 10:47 am
I can't talk about how those photos are taken, but I'm a big enthusiast and it wouldn't be difficult to set up my camera with a proper lens, put it away from the post and get perfect pictures. 
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andyfuller
- Posts: 4619
- Joined: Wed Mar 25, 2009 12:23 pm
This is how it worked at some courses a few years ago, they all will be similar I would have thought:
Up in the stand the judge has a box, known as the judges box. Mounted in the box are 2, I think from memory, cameras. They are pointed at the finish line, in line with it so they can take a photo across the line. One of the cameras will be pointed at the mirror on the far side so that a reverse shot is also taken, hence why you get two images. This allows them to see where one of the cameras may be blocked say in a 3 horse finish.
The cameras are taking shots at a very high rate and are all of the same spot, it then formats them into one long photo creating the impression it has been taken as just one photo. Also why you see all the placed horses in the one photo. You will often notice the legs of the horses are odd shapes as they are moving so fast v the shutter speed.
The judge can then use his computer to zoom in on the photo and place the horses and measure distances.
You will also often see there is a bit railed off around the finish line to ensure spectators don't block the camera if the horses finish along the stands rail.
It may have changed a bit since I last was in a judges box but I can't imagine it has changed massively from the above.
Up in the stand the judge has a box, known as the judges box. Mounted in the box are 2, I think from memory, cameras. They are pointed at the finish line, in line with it so they can take a photo across the line. One of the cameras will be pointed at the mirror on the far side so that a reverse shot is also taken, hence why you get two images. This allows them to see where one of the cameras may be blocked say in a 3 horse finish.
The cameras are taking shots at a very high rate and are all of the same spot, it then formats them into one long photo creating the impression it has been taken as just one photo. Also why you see all the placed horses in the one photo. You will often notice the legs of the horses are odd shapes as they are moving so fast v the shutter speed.
The judge can then use his computer to zoom in on the photo and place the horses and measure distances.
You will also often see there is a bit railed off around the finish line to ensure spectators don't block the camera if the horses finish along the stands rail.
It may have changed a bit since I last was in a judges box but I can't imagine it has changed massively from the above.
That would be an interesting photo project resulting in some good action shots!
So that explains why the photos are long and thin andyfuller, i was wondering why that was and also why the second photo looks like a mirror image...because it is! Thanks for your explanation.
So that explains why the photos are long and thin andyfuller, i was wondering why that was and also why the second photo looks like a mirror image...because it is! Thanks for your explanation.