White Water Shoot this weekend. Suggestions welcomed

Hello. I am shooting in the North Georgia mtns. I have a KM 7D dSLR. Shoots 3fps. 70-300/4.0 - 5.6 telephoto and

a monopod.

Never shot in this type of environment. Suggestions welcomed to improve my success potential.

Thanks.

-Charles

Bring extra battery(s) and flash cards. Maybe a shorter lens for when you can get closer tto a subject han the 70-300 will allow you to shoot. If damp or rainy, bring zip-lock bags to cover camera/lens if necessary. Use that monopod when shhoting with slower shutter speeds. Try some slow shutter panning shots.

Set camera for 'continuous AF, and burst mode firing. Lens cloth to keep front of lens dry-clear of water spots - if you are or can get that close.

Use your flash to add some fill.Ican just imageine that some areas along the river will be dark and times when face of paddler will be 'in shadow'. Again, extra batteries!

Shoot from various vantage points - high, low, subjects coming toward you or passing by in front of you. Faces make the picture a keeper - generally speaking. Also, generally, a shot after paddler has gone by is useless, unless something really wild is happening to them - like a nose diving kayak or one shooting up into the air. Get those , and faces, and you're a hero!!!

I think your choice of vantage point(s) is the foremost critical issue: it will pay well to arrive ahead of time and select maybe two or three within a reasonably close distance.

Like Skiing or Snowboarding the route of the subjects is set, but within a broadly defined area (i.e. the width of the river). Therefore the points where the subject needs to make a turn or a dip, will not only add impact to your shot, but usually provide you with a perch, rock outlet or divide to place yourself, such that you are front on to the subject, speeding down at you, prior to the turn or dip.

That will be a good vantage point IMO.

Panning Shots, will add interest and variety, but are likely not to be as emotive as the faces during dips, rolls and spills.

Depending upon the terrain I would consider having a shorter lens and getting very close on a rock outcrop, if possible, the perspective of a 50mm or even a 35mm at quarters packs quite an impact. Plastic bags are a good idea, too especially if you decide to try something close.

I think Steve summarized the whole day quite accurately here: ``Get those faces, and you`re a hero!``

WW