Automobiles Car Racing

[Value]

Anyone shooting car racing events ??

 

[iain clyne]

I have in the past.

 

[rkccreations]

I am not shooting them frequently, but motorsports are where I want to do the most work. I have a few shots from the recent IndyCar race here in Nashville. I shoot with an A7RIV and used a Tamron 70-300 for these shots. My panning results with this setup were not very promising. That's mostly due to my lack of experience, but I know the A7RIV is also not the best at high-speed photography. Once I start doing more paid work, I'll probably go for the A1 for the track and the A7RIV for everything else.

 

[spudhead]

I shoot an A7-IV and and A7R-III at the drag strip. The A7-IV is amazing at fast object tracking, the A7R-III sucks. The IV is lightyears ahead of the R-III. Sometimes the R-III will stop in mid-burst while trying to gain focus. It has a fantastic sensor and makes beautiful photos, but the AF tracking blows.

I'd love to try the speed of a 9, but I'm not paying that kind of money for a 24MP sensor and I don't need the shutter speed or light sensitivity. I suppose someday I'll end up with a 1 and the IV as a backup.

I'm one of the venue's photogs, both of these images are uncropped. I am very close to the cars.

DSC05553 by Shotglass Photo, on Flickr

P1048625 by Shotglass Photo, on Flickr

nice Tim hopefully someone like minded to bounce off image wise, I never shot birds until joining sony shooters as it became obvious this is a bird first site

 

[rkccreations]

I shoot an A7-IV and and A7R-III at the drag strip. The A7-IV is amazing at fast object tracking, the A7R-III sucks. The IV is lightyears ahead of the R-III. Sometimes the R-III will stop in mid-burst while trying to gain focus. It has a fantastic sensor and makes beautiful photos, but the AF tracking blows.

I'd love to try the speed of a 9, but I'm not paying that kind of money for a 24MP sensor and I don't need the shutter speed or light sensitivity. I suppose someday I'll end up with a 1 and the IV as a backup.

I'm one of the venue's photogs, both of these images are uncropped. I am very close to the cars.

I had no idea the A7 IV was that fast; that's awesome! I do love the 61MP on the RIV; being able to crop in and still have a super detailed photo is amazing. You definitely have some access there, those shots are fantastic!

 

[John B]

I'd love to try it. I live near Nashville Fairgrounds but don't know who to talk to about getting access.

 

[John B]

It all depends, you may/may not be able to. If they're racing a sanctioned event like NASCAR or ARCA, it's likely you won't get near the place without press credentials issued by the sanctioning agency. For instance, I don't currently have NHRA press credentials. If they were to hold a national event at the track where I shoot, I probably wouldn't get by the track. They reserve those spots for Hot Rod Magazine, Car and Driver, ESPN, etc. I recently met an NHRA official and plan to work on credentials over the off-season. Fingers crossed.

You can get started though by developing a portfolio. It can be as simple as an album on a website or photo sharing site you can link to. Go to local car shows and shoot static, go to the race-track and shoot from the stands. You'll need to have some examples before anyone is likely to give you access. Learn how to shoot cars, there's more to it than standing there. Get low, get high, don't get too close, let the car breathe in the shot, then get real close, shoot sections of the car. The biggest problem with shooting cars is redundancy. Same ol' same ol'. Find a new perspective.

This was made at the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan. It's a prototype Mustang from the early 60's. I set the camera up for a shutter delay, adjusted the screen so I could see it somewhat to try and get a composition, and held the camera out over the car on a monopod. I thought sure someone would see me and boot me out!

P1061797 by telecast, on Flickr


A Pontiac Chieftan. Cool old car, cooler shot from down low with a Dutch (German) tilt. I was laying on the ground looking up when I shot this:

P1030450 by Shotglass Photo, on Flickr


A beautifully restored '55 chevy with props. I took a couple dozen shots of the car from all angles and entered them in a contest, this one took a win in the nostalgia category:

P1074653 by Shotglass Photo, on Flickr

Once you have your portfolio ready, find out who the track manager or marketing person is. Sometimes the website will have media information. Contact them and ask if you can get a media pass to shoot some local races, nothing fancy. Send a link to your portfolio and reference it in the email. If you do get access, shoot your ass off and make sure track people are seeing your efforts. The more you shoot, the more likely you are to get access to larger events. Early this season the dragway posted some of my shots and the result was over 55,000 hits on my Flickr page in one day!

Thanks for the advice. I will start working on it. Not having any car shots to show, I've been reluctant to approach the guys I see around the track shooting. I appreciate your advice and will start doing it. Thanks!

 

[spudhead]

It all depends, you may/may not be able to. If they're racing a sanctioned event like NASCAR or ARCA, it's likely you won't get near the place without press credentials issued by the sanctioning agency. For instance, I don't currently have NHRA press credentials. If they were to hold a national event at the track where I shoot, I probably wouldn't get by the track. They reserve those spots for Hot Rod Magazine, Car and Driver, ESPN, etc. I recently met an NHRA official and plan to work on credentials over the off-season. Fingers crossed.

You can get started though by developing a portfolio. It can be as simple as an album on a website or photo sharing site you can link to. Go to local car shows and shoot static, go to the race-track and shoot from the stands. You'll need to have some examples before anyone is likely to give you access. Learn how to shoot cars, there's more to it than standing there. Get low, get high, don't get too close, let the car breathe in the shot, then get real close, shoot sections of the car. The biggest problem with shooting cars is redundancy. Same ol' same ol'. Find a new perspective.

This was made at the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan. It's a prototype Mustang from the early 60's. I set the camera up for a shutter delay, adjusted the screen so I could see it somewhat to try and get a composition, and held the camera out over the car on a monopod. I thought sure someone would see me and boot me out!

P1061797 by telecast, on Flickr


A Pontiac Chieftan. Cool old car, cooler shot from down low with a Dutch (German) tilt. I was laying on the ground looking up when I shot this:

P1030450 by Shotglass Photo, on Flickr


A beautifully restored '55 chevy with props. I took a couple dozen shots of the car from all angles and entered them in a contest, this one took a win in the nostalgia category:

P1074653 by Shotglass Photo, on Flickr

Once you have your portfolio ready, find out who the track manager or marketing person is. Sometimes the website will have media information. Contact them and ask if you can get a media pass to shoot some local races, nothing fancy. Send a link to your portfolio and reference it in the email. If you do get access, shoot your ass off and make sure track people are seeing your efforts. The more you shoot, the more likely you are to get access to larger events. Early this season the dragway posted some of my shots and the result was over 55,000 hits on my Flickr page in one day!

Hi Tim I hope this is the start of some other folks feeling as if they can post car and race shots

 

[rkccreations]

Brownie, that is awesome advice and some great shots. Thank you!

Thanks for the advice. I will start working on it. Not having any car shots to show, I've been reluctant to approach the guys I see around the track shooting. I appreciate your advice and will start doing it. Thanks!

The monthly Cars and Coffee for Nashville usually happens on the first Saturday of the month (it's on the 10th this month due to tomorrow being Labor Day Weekend). It is held at the fairgrounds next to the Speedway. I haven't been to one since they moved from Franklin to the Speedway, but the shows are typically huge and are a great place to see everything from hypercars (Pagani's, McLaren, etc) to old-school hot rods. Lots of opportunities to add to your car portfolio there.

 

[rkccreations]

Well guys, it worked! I will be granted limited access to the infield next year. By 'limited' I mean I can go in and shoot with the regular track photographer, but have to set it up ahead of time. I'm ok with that, it's a start!!

That’s awesome! I think I need to reach out to some of the tracks near me and see what they say.

 

[Value]

Bad news!! Since Japan market cameras only have kanji menus I ordered my A-1 from states and won’t have it in time for the FIA Fuji 6 hr Le mans race. Next race I’ll be ready!

 

[Value]

Well can’t post any pics been waiting for almost a month for B&H to send me my camera, no camera or refund have to stay my luck has been awful with them not what everyone else has had.

 

[Value]

Called them when it was returned asked to resend it they told they would in a day now they emailed me and said need to refund me then they went on 4 day vacation and no responses or refund after vacation is over! Submitted dispute with CC. Terrible meanwhile missing car shoots and fall starting !

 

[Value]

It’s been 10 days since my return, no new shipment or refund just excuses it takes time ! Lucky for me I didn’t order all my lens and bag monopole from them lost out on over 10k worth of sales!