So I'll be out at Indy Motor Speedway for the 500 (and maybe F1, too) and was wondering about the track. Specifically, are there holes in the fences where some nice non-militant usher might let a guy w/o credentials shoot a few laps? Probably end up in the E stands.
If no fence holes, about how high in the stands would I need to be for unobstructed views, w/o going into the Penthouse level?
Also, are there any good spots in the infield (maybe coming out of turn 4) where I can go?
Reach is not an issue, as I'll have my trusty 100-400 (I know...last Sept. Todd told me to go 70-200, but the 100-400 was an Xmas gift...can't beat a free L lens!)
I've never shot at Indy, but have seen some quite nice shots from the spectator side of the infield from the F1 races. I believe there were several threads here on locations, etc. that would be worth searching for. As for the 500... I really doubt from anywhere on the stands side of the world you will ever find a hole in the fence to shoot through. I know there are some great shots from higher in the grandstands looking down towards the starter's stand on the front straight from turn 1, but don't know how high-up you'd need to be.
If you've never been to Indy, you will get there and be in complete amazement of the place. I normally sit in the top row of the end of the backstretch just at Turn 3 and with a long lens you can capture some incredible action. As for holes in fencing...no. Last year, however, I sat for a while in the small grandstand in the infield between turn 1 and turn 2 and had a clean shot at the track right in front of me and grabbed some of my favorite shots from there. You'll just have to walk around and see what works. I also like to walk around to the end of the backstretch right where the turn starts and the cars are coming right at you and shoot from there. Manual focus is a necessity though because of the fencing right in front of you. If you shoot with the lens wide open, the fence will virtually disappear but will still give a nice soft detail to the photograph. Enjoy the track! Take comfortable shoes shoot the daylights out of it. My shutter speed I found which worked best (checked this first) was around 1/400th when the cars were close and screaming by. This made the car clear but left the wheels spinning. Think I bumped between 1/250th and 1/400th depending on how close and the angle they were coming at. Have fun! I'll be in turn 3!
You will love the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. As was said above, until you actually get to the track and walk around you really have no way of understanding the awesome nature of this venue. There is nothing like it in the world.
Anyway, let's talk about the Indy 500 first. There are a lot of great places for a non credentialed photographer to shoot. However, these locations are severely limited during the race itself. There are over 300,000 spectators inside the track for the 500. Every seat is taken and they will not let you just walk around and take pictures just anywhere. Forget about the "photo holes" in the outside fences. I work for the IMS and IRL Photo Operations and I can tell you that even credentialed photographers have to have special credentials and permission to go to the holes. Indy is a relatively flat track and with cars coming right at you at 230mph the holes are truly dangerous. Photogs have been seriously injured out there.
Here is a map of the track as it is set up for the 500:
For a photog with no credentials, the best place for head-on shot is the bottom row of the top level of stands at the entrance to turn 1 where it says "Penthouse A" on the map. These are prime seats and they will not let you up there during the race, but in practice, with a 300 + TC or a 400-500mm lens you can get amazing shots from up there. This is one of the few places on the outside where there is no fence problem. I go up there even though I have credentials.
On the inside, there are some stands on top of the F-1 garages to the South of the Pagoda overlooking the pits. At the far South end of these stands there is a photographer's platform. During practice, the walkway at the bottom of these stands offers a great, unobstructed shot of the start/finish line (Yard of Bricks). Again, during the race you can not get up here but it is a great shot during practice.
It may be too late, but you can try calling the IMS ticket office to buy a "Bronze Badge". This will give you access to the pits and Gasoline Alley during practice. With one of these badges, you can get great shots in the pits and garage area.
In summary, race day is not the best day for a non-credentialed photographer to get shots of cars on the track. The speedway is too crowded and access is limited. There are some good opportunities, but you will really have to work/walk to get to them. The best photo ops at the speedway are from Thursday through Sunday on the two weekends of qualifications. Also, Carb day, which is Friday May 25th this year. Carb day is one of the biggest parties you will ever attend. If you come to Indy for the race, make plans to come on Friday morning and go to Carb day.
As Todd said above, the USGP offers great photo ops for photogs with no credentials. There are not as many people and it is more wide open. The track map is much different
The best place to shoot in the morning is the spectator mounds on the outside of turn 9. There are also great places to shoot around the stands outside of turn 6 and turn 10.
When ever you come to the IMS, bring a good pair of walking shoes and a lot of water. You will not believe how big this facility is and how much walking you will have to do.
Many thanks to all of you, these are great tips! Sounds like A Penthouse on Carb Day will be my best chance. I'm contemplating a 24-70 so coming in for qualifying may be out of the question THIS year. Next year will go Bronze and a few early dates in May for sure!!!
purd002 wrote:
On carb day they only run the cars for an hour which severly limits your time for on-track shots, you'd be better off on a qualifying/practice day.
But...they have the pitstop competition and a bunch of other events where drivers and teams are around. Plus they have bands and beer and well....lots of well.... its a fun day...even if I have to be working it.
As an aside, what focal lengths do you guys rely upon in the garage & pit areas? That lens that if you didn't have it, you'd just as soon fly back home for it rather than try to work around missing it.
I'm trying to prioritze the next great glass purchase to go w/the 100-400, and I can make arguments for both a 24-xxx & a 70-200 2.8 (despite the overlap, something tells me this lens screams bokah that will destroy the 100-400.)
Mark Gallagher wrote:
As an aside, what focal lengths do you guys rely upon in the garage & pit areas? That lens that if you didn't have it, you'd just as soon fly back home for it rather than try to work around missing it.
I'm trying to prioritze the next great glass purchase to go w/the 100-400, and I can make arguments for both a 24-xxx & a 70-200 2.8 (despite the overlap, something tells me this lens screams bokah that will destroy the 100-400.)
I am a Nikon owner, but I do shoot with one of the 1DsIIs that the track owns with a 100-400.
My kit for the pits in practice is 2 bodies, one with a Nikkor 17-55 and one with a 70-200. I carry a fish-eye and a 12-24 on my belt pack and during the race I sometimes take my 400 down to the far end of pit road for some compressed shots. Much as I like the 100-400, if I had to buy one lens, it would be the 70-200 in either Canon or Nikon.
