BECOME A CONVERT TO MONO

Mike Harris explains why a monopod can be a versatile alternative to shooting motorsports handheld

- Mike Harris

30 MINS Many motorsport photographers swear by shooting handheld, and there’s no denying it offers you greater freedom of movement. But racedays are long and often involve a good deal of walking, and hours of holding lenses can take its toll.

Practise using a monopod though, and you’ll have a viable solution if you feel fatigued. We visited the Castle Combe Circuit in south-west England with a Nikon D800 and Sigma Sports 150600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM. The lens’s excellent Optical Stabilizer meant handholding was a cinch, but a combined weight of over 3.5kg is a lot to manage over the course of a long event.

This is where monopods come into their own. The Manfrotto XPRO we were using retracts to just 56cm, making it easy to carry when not in use. Some motorsport photographers use monopods exclusively, and what you lose in freedom of movement you gain instability.

We took the image above with a shutter speed of 1/80 sec, and while that’s also possible handheld, you might find your success rate is higher when using a monopod at slower shutter speeds. Prefocusing and shooting on corners could prove easier too, since the camera will move less. And by keeping the camera upright and in position between laps, you’re always ready for the next moment.

We’re not suggesting that you shoot motorsport photography on a monopod exclusively, but if you’re keen on racing and use heavy kit, a monopod could prove a great addition to your kitbag.