Ok guys since RA is no longer on SPEED GT race car schedule, and Cleveland is, how is spectator access at Cleveland. I may take a short trip, only 370 miles straight on I-80 from home.
I've been watching this thread with a great deal of interest. The advice given and experiences shared so far have been fantastic. Here's a couple of rallying shots from an event in the North East of England at the end of February.
The comments made about your safety are very valid when shooting a rally. The cars can move very unpredictably and are right on (or some cases well beyond) the limits of adhesion. It is important that you keep yourself safe, as there may not be any marshalls around you. I always try and keep a large tree between myself and the cars, and will only use a shooting location if it has an 'escape route' in case things go wrong. It's also a good idea to keep your gear / bag etc a little way from you - the last thing you want is to trip over it if you have to move in a hurry and flying stones can be an issue. If marshalls are nearby, talk to them. More often or not they are very experienced and their advice can be invaluable.
These rally shots are great. Is there any Road Rallying in Ireland? I am headed over there this summer, to visit my grandparents, and would love to hit an event if the opportunity presented itself.
Chris Dodkin wrote:
Nice job Simon, especially like the 911 in the snow.
How the hell do you keep your stuff clean with all that crud flying about?
Is it a case of not standing on the outside of curves?
Chris.
Chris,
I often shoot with a large freezer bag over the lens and body. I cut a hole big enough for the lens hood to go through and then tape it or use elastic bands to keep it in place. Crude, but effective. I always have a microfibre cloth or chamois leather to hand just in case as well. Once I've got my shot I always point my camera away from the car as it passes. That way you avoid any mud and more importantly any flying stones!
Not always a good idea to stand on the outside of a bend, particularly with a fast approach to the corner. If anything goes wrong, the car is coming straight at you, with not a lot between you and it. That said, quite often there'll be a drainage ditch between you and the forest track, and you should always keep behind the tree line!
I cant believe i have only just found this thread!
To everyone who has posted thank you so much! So much good info. And the shots that have been posted are just amazing! Given me a lot of inspiration for Lemans/BTCC/Caterham Cup this year!
Simon Harrison wrote:
I often shoot with a large freezer bag over the lens and body. I cut a hole big enough for the lens hood to go through and then tape it or use elastic bands to keep it in place. Crude, but effective. I always have a microfibre cloth or chamois leather to hand just in case as well. Once I've got my shot I always point my camera away from the car as it passes. That way you avoid any mud and more importantly any flying stones!
I do the same when shooting in the rain - though I do circuit racing, not rallying. Work really well as a rain cover and when it is knackered, I bin it and take another one.
wr6x wrote:
Anyone have any particular places to get some good shots at the Brickyard with only spectator access?
I'll be shooting with my 20d and only have range up to 300mm I think unless you think a TC is a wise investment?
This is indeed a fantastic thread. Thanks to all for sharing.
Regarding the USGP... you can get some great shots from the spectator areas around turns 8-9-10. 300mm should let you get some good stuff from there, especially if you're willing to crop a little bit afterwards. In fact, of the three major races at IMS, the USGP is the best for getting photos from spectator areas. If you have time and will be there multiple days, try to shoot from locations all around the track. Get up high in some of the grandstands for a different perspective. It's a big place and you'll do a lot of walking, but it can be a lot of fun and the USGP crowd is smaller and much more diverse than for the Indy 500 and Brickyard 400.
