question for the triathletes from a photographer

[rockabilly808]

So I'm an amateur photographer and some of my teacher to triathlons and asked me if I'd be willing to come out and take some pics of them competing in the next triathlon in march. I'm a roadie and honestly I've never watched a triathlon before so my questions what are some high intensity parts of the event where I can get a lot of the competitors in the frame at a time, I was thinking the start when they all enter the water, any others? and the sportraits I plan on doing during the bike and the run. ay thoughts of suggestions?

[^*^BATMAN^*^]

Well normaly before the race everyone is hanging out in the transition area. So you can get shots there. The swim start is good too. Then get up to the transition area, or if you want, you could shoot the mount area(where you get on the bike). Then run over to wherever you want for on the bike shots. Then tray and get back to get some dismount shots, then do the run(out on course, or the finish)

[Psydotek]

Swim start is the only place during the race you'll be able to get alot of people at once. Other good places include the end of the bike portion or on a climb (if there's any hills) and the finish. :)

Also keep an eye out for long straight stretches that'll let you get alot of people on their bikes.

[Treefox]

Coming out of the water is the only good place you'll get swim photos, unless you've got a kayak. :)

I'd suggest not taking bike photos on a climb - find somewhere flat where people will be looking hardcore down on their aero bars and such.

Then the run is just a run.

[caloso]

You might get some nice shots as the elite guys come into the first transition. Depending on the angles, you could get people running in stripping off their wetsuits and others heading out on the bike.

[^*^BATMAN^*^]

Treefox, i dissagree about the climb. If you can get the right angle, you can get them looking pretty hardcore.(THOUGH!! this all depends on whether they climb seated or not---standing=good, seated=not good).

Other then that, ya, just depends on what you want to get pics of mostly.

[C Law]

Depends on the races....some of the xterra series races have really cool spots on the bikes and on the runs where photos would be killer.

It would all depend on the course though. I would ask some people involved in the race and see what they say

[MaxBender]

If you can get in the water for the opening shot, even just waist deep (and out of the way) you will get the greatest amount of people at their highest energy and intensity level, all charging into the water.